Brand Manager - Al Fresco

Kayem Foods | Chelsea, MA | Hybrid

About the Job

Help lead the next phase of growth for a brand built for what matters most.

Kayem Foods is a family‑owned food company that has been crafting premium meat products for over 100 years. Today, we are the largest meat processor in New England, trusted by home cooks, grill masters, chefs, restaurants, and iconic venues alike—including Fenway Park, home of the Fenway Frank.

Our Al fresco brand an all‑natural portfolio of value‑added chicken products—is at the center of our future. As consumers continue to seek cleaner labels and high‑quality protein, Al Fresco is one of Kayem’s fastest‑growing businesses and a key driver of our next chapter of growth.

We’re looking for a Brand Manager who’s ready to step into real ownership, take on meaningful responsibility early, and help shape both strategy and execution as we scale the brand over the next 3–5 years.

What You’ll Do:

This is not a “maintenance” role. You’ll be the day‑to‑day owner of the Al Fresco P&L, leading annual brand planning, innovation, and go‑to‑market execution. You’ll work closely with sales, insights, R&D, finance, and agency partners—and have direct visibility and collaboration with senior leadership.

• Own brand performance for the Al Fresco brand, managing key P&L levers and tracking performance against volume, sales, and margin goals
• Lead the development and execution of annual brand and marketing plans, tying strategy directly to business results
• Be the consumer champion, translating insights, trends, and data into actionable brand, innovation, and communication strategies
• Lead new product launches and renovations, from concept through commercialization
• Partner cross‑functionally with Sales, Insights, R&D, Finance, Supply Chain, and agency partners to deliver integrated programs
• Support geographic and distribution expansion initiatives as the brand scales
• Use syndicated data (Nielsen/IRI) and other inputs to assess performance, identify gaps, and recommend course‑correcting actions
• Balance creativity with discipline—building brands consumers love while delivering results

Who You Are:

Someone who is ready to step up, move fast, own more, and see your impact immediately.

• 3–5 years of total work experience, with 2–3 years in CPG brand management (food experience preferred)
• Comfortable making thoughtful decisions with incomplete information and a bias toward action
• Strong project manager who brings people together and moves work forward
• Analytical and results‑oriented—able to connect data to recommendations and outcomes
• Consumer‑first mindset with a passion for building brands
• Clear, confident communicator who collaborates well across functions and levels
• Proficiency using Nielsen or IRI to inform decisions

Salary & Benefits:

The base salary range for this position is $90,000 to $120,000.  An employee’s rate of pay within the range is determined by their qualifications, relevant experience, and demonstrated performance over time. In addition, this position offers the following benefits, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: Healthcare insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, heath savings accounts (HSA), 401(k) retirement plan with matching, life insurance, paid time off, company holidays, Education Reimbursement (eligible after 6 months of continuous employment and up to $3,000 for career development).

No Relocation support is available.

Why Kayem Foods:

Kayem Foods combines the scale and stability of a category leader with the agility of a family‑owned business. While our brands are woven into the fabric of New England—and beyond—we continue to operate with an entrepreneurial mindset where smart ideas move quickly and individual impact is visible.  Our portfolio spans premium franks, sausages, deli meats, slow‑cooked and value‑added meat products, including beloved brands like Kayem and Al Fresco, and iconic products like the Fenway Frank. We’re proud of our “Old World” food philosophy: we only make food we’d proudly serve to our own friends and family.

Working here means:

• Hybrid flexibility (3 days in the office, 2 remote)
• Real ownership, real impact—you’ll help run and grow a business, not just support one
• Accelerated growth and responsibility
• Direct access to senior leadership and a seat at the table
• A collaborative, down‑to‑earth culture rooted in craftsmanship, accountability, and trust

If you’re looking to build brands consumers love—and want your work to matter right away, Kayem Foods offers the chance to do both.  Kayem Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace and consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.