Manager, Product Calendar Marketing (IHOP)

Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP® and Fuzzy's Taco Shop® brands. With over 3,500 restaurants combined in 18 countries and 354 franchisees as of December 31, 2023, Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company's website located at www.dinebrands.com.

IHOP is seeking a Manager, Product Calendar Marketing to help shape our marketing calendar and deliver craveable experiences to millions of guests. This role drives strategy, campaign execution, and core menu planning—bringing bold ideas to life across every season. If you’re ready to make an impact for IHOP guests across the country, we want to hear from you! 🥞

A key member of the IHOP Brand Calendar Strategy team, the Manager, Product Calendar Marketing will lead the planning and execution of IHOP’s marketing calendar, ensuring campaigns and menu initiatives align with brand strategy and deliver measurable results.

This role partners cross-functionally to bring to life product launches, value menus, seasonal promotions, and core menu cycles, driving traffic and check growth while maintaining consistency and profitability across all touchpoints.

Reporting to the Director, Brand Calendar & Product, this role will also be responsible for managing the Associate Manager, Product Calendar Marketing.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Contribute to development and optimization of product and marketing strategies including  menu, value and LTO in partnership with Brand Calendar & Product leadership.
• Monitor business and menu performance to inform future campaign and core menu development and achieve brand goals.

Calendar Planning

• Support marketing calendar planning via development and recommendation of sales driving programs and manage updates, with an aim to be planning 18 months out.
• Lead brainstorms for traffic and check driving initiatives, partner with strategy team for opportunity sizing, and prepare recommendations for leadership and franchisee committees for support.
• Partner with project management and brand leadership on franchisee support for value advertising.

Campaign Execution

• Draft integrated briefs for campaigns grounded in insights with aligned objectives and clear key messages. Coordinate reviews up through brand leadership and lead effective cross-functional briefing presentations.
• Serve as point of contact for campaign details, merchandising plans, timelines and pivots. Draft systemwide communications for necessary campaign updates.
• Review creative and training materials for product accuracy and consistency and to ensure key messages are pulled through.
• Lead product execution for calendar launches, leveraging successfully tested menu items or new product development when necessary. Present insights, test results, overall rationale and performance expectations for product decisions to ensure alignment across cross-functional teams, leadership, and franchisee committees.
• Prepare new products for implementation including recipe reviews, forecasting, procurement, and supply monitoring with cross-functional and supply chain teams. Manage budget for any obsolete inventory.
• Lead any changes in menu item positioning, naming, etc. following pipeline testing and coordinate required research with consumer insights.
• Monitor campaign performance to recommend follow-up support or updates and contribute to post-campaign analysis.

Core Menu Execution

• Drive strategy for core menu cycles, including performance analysis and optimization.
• Own recommendations for product additions, modifications and deletions and manage alignment up through leadership to deliver on menu strategy and profitability goals. Participate in recipe reviews and recommendation share-outs.
• Develop core creative briefs, applying past menu learnings and research to maximize profitability, and lead the team in creative reviews.
• Partner on menu simplification initiatives, product profitability initiatives, and oversee non-traditional and coffee menus.

Leadership

• Lead associate marketing manager and provide coaching and guidance.
• Develop strong cross-functional relationships and is respected as a leader and subject matter expert internally and externally.
• Able to effectively influence to achieve mutual business success
• Take initiative to stay one step ahead of decisions and communication.
• Understand the importance of being nimble and can quickly pivot self and team, if a project is directed differently by leadership.
• Support positive partnerships with the franchise community and with key vendors
• Present projects with clarity and enthusiasm to the cross-functional team, leadership & franchisees.

Qualifications

• College degree required; MBA preferred
• 4+ years of experience in product development, innovation, or brand management in a national chain restaurant or consumer products goods (CPG) environment required
• Exceptional planning and project management skills required; ability to manage multiple projects of complex scope
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and franchise partners.
• Passion for food and consumer insights
• Experience leading a team of direct reports
• Demonstrable knowledge of tactical planning and analytical evaluation
• Ability to prioritize, problem-solve and respond quickly to changes in direction
• Excellent customer service, ability to establish strong working relationships with internal/external partners and lead cross-functional team
• Strong organization and attention to detail
• Strategic thinker with strong negotiation, presentation, and written/verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Target Base Salary $115k-$130k depending on experience

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Dine Brands Global strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act and/or other applicable laws and regulations in other jurisdictions.

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