Associate Manager, Brand & Product Strategy - Beverages

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Manager, Brand & Product Strategy - Beverages

Company: Yum! (Taco Bell)

Location: Irvine, California, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Brand & Product Strategy (Marketing Operations/Revenue Operations adjacent)

Date Posted: 2026-08-24

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Executes and optimizes national beverage strategies, including Refrescas, Freezes, CSDs, and Live Más Café initiatives.

• Supports product and creative development, program execution, and integration across multiple cross-functional teams and external partners.

• Drives category-leading programs to increase beverage penetration per transaction and enhance Taco Bell's beverage reputation.

• Owns the Freeze product pipeline, from concept exploration to consumer testing and integration with broader beverage and food offerings.

• Acts as a central communication hub for agencies, internal creative teams, and various departments to ensure seamless program delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is primarily focused on Brand and Product Strategy within Marketing, its emphasis on program execution, cross-functional integration, vendor management, and driving revenue through product penetration (drinks per transaction) positions it closely within the operational aspects of Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy. Candidates with a strong understanding of operationalizing marketing initiatives and driving measurable business results will be highly valued. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking and tactical execution, common in advanced marketing operations or revenue operations adjacent roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of national beverage and test programs, overseeing development from product concept to go-to-market launch.

• Contribute to the strategic direction and execution of Taco Bell's core beverage portfolio and emerging growth platforms like Live Más Café, fostering innovation and campaign development.

• Lead the Freeze product pipeline, managing early-stage flavor exploration, consumer testing, product brief creation, and integration efforts with food offerings for culturally relevant programs.

• Serve as the primary liaison for external agencies and internal creative teams, guiding briefs and multi-channel asset development for both owned and paid media.

• Coordinate reviews and approvals for beverage programs across real estate, schematic design, training materials, and merchandising.

• Partner with Insights & Analytics and Finance teams to maintain performance trackers, analyze pillar and program results, and synthesize insights for future strategic decisions.

• Develop presentation materials, populate content, and craft compelling narratives for leadership reviews, cross-functional updates, and alignment forums (e.g., BEVCOM, FRANMAC).

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Supply Chain, Menu Management, Public Relations, Digital, Social Media, and Media to develop comprehensive, multi-channel activations that effectively engage target consumers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong need for project management and process facilitation. The candidate will need to demonstrate proficiency in managing complex timelines, coordinating diverse stakeholders, and ensuring alignment across departments. This is particularly relevant for operations roles that involve integrating marketing initiatives with operational execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: BA required; degree in Business, Marketing, or Communications strongly preferred.

Experience: 4+ years of experience in brand management, product marketing, or related fields.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience managing creative development processes from concept to execution.

• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional workflows and complex project timelines in fast-paced environments.

• Strong proficiency in creative brief writing, deck building, and storytelling for leadership presentations.

• Aptitude for coordinating across multiple stakeholders and acting as a central information hub.

• Exceptional organizational skills, proactive approach, and keen attention to detail.

• Ability to operate fluidly between creative ideation and operational execution.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong PowerPoint skills essential for presentations and reporting.

• Highly motivated, curious, resourceful, and passionate about shaping the future of beverage platforms. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry or consumer packaged goods (CPG).

• Familiarity with beverage category trends and innovation within the food and beverage sector.

• Experience with consumer insights and analytics to inform product and campaign strategies.

• Understanding of supply chain and operations implications for product launches.

• Familiarity with digital marketing, social media, and media planning principles for integrated campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "operational workstreams" and "coordinating across multiple stakeholders" suggests that candidates with experience in operationalizing marketing plans and managing the execution lifecycle will have a distinct advantage. This aligns with the need for structured thinking and process management characteristic of operations roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of brand and product strategy development, demonstrating end-to-end campaign management.

• Include case studies detailing successful product launches or program executions, highlighting collaboration with cross-functional teams and external partners.

• Present examples of creative brief development and how they translated into successful marketing assets.

• Demonstrate experience in synthesizing data (consumer insights, financial tracking) to inform strategic decisions and program optimization.

• Highlight projects where you managed complex timelines and coordinated multiple stakeholders to achieve objectives. Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow design for product development and campaign execution, illustrating process mapping and optimization.

• Documentation of how you managed creative development processes, including brief creation, agency collaboration, and asset review cycles.

• Evidence of utilizing project management tools or methodologies to track progress, manage timelines, and ensure alignment across teams.

• Case studies that show how you gathered and presented insights from performance trackers and financial analyses to influence strategic direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio should not just list achievements but demonstrate a structured approach to strategy execution. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process for developing a product strategy, managing a campaign launch, or integrating a new beverage offering, emphasizing the operational steps and cross-functional coordination involved.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $109,400 to $128,600 annually.

Bonus Eligibility: Yes, bonus eligible.

Benefits:

• Hybrid work schedule with an expectation of 3 days onsite (Tues, Wed, Thurs) and a flexible Friday.

• Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons.

• Onsite dining center (including a Taco Bell).

• Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions.

• Onsite services including dry cleaning, laundry, and carwash.

• Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year, plus holidays and time off for volunteering.

• Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program.

• 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting.

• Comprehensive medical & dental insurance, including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care.

• Employee discounts, free food, and branded merchandise.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed salary range is typical for an Associate Manager role in Brand/Product Marketing in a high-cost-of-living area like Irvine, CA, especially within a large, established company like Yum! Brands. This range reflects the mid-to-senior level experience (4+ years) and the strategic responsibilities of the role. The benefits package is exceptionally comprehensive, reflecting Yum!'s culture and commitment to employee well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (Quick Service Restaurant - QSR)

Company Size: Large (Yum! Brands is a global leader with 8,500+ Taco Bell restaurants and numerous franchise organizations; Taco Bell itself is a significant entity within the Yum! portfolio.)

Founded: Taco Bell was founded in 1962. Yum! Brands was formed in 1997.

Team Structure:

• The Associate Manager will report to the Beverage Marketing Manager, indicating a structured marketing department with clear leadership.

• They will partner closely with the broader Product & Brand Marketing teams, suggesting a collaborative marketing function.

• This role requires extensive partnership with Operations, Supply Chain, Menu Management, Public Relations, Digital, Social, and Media teams, highlighting a highly integrated GTM approach. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is expected, with collaboration with Insights & Analytics and Finance to inform initiatives.

• A focus on innovation and pipeline development for future growth platforms (e.g., Live Más Café, Freeze flavors).

• Emphasis on cross-functional alignment and systematic program execution, from creative development to operational readiness.

• A culture of "Cultural Rebels" that encourages bold self-expression, challenging the status quo, and driving industry boundaries.

Company Website: https://www.yum.com/ (Yum! Brands), https://www.tacobell.com/ (Taco Bell)

📝 Enhancement Note: Yum! Brands' culture, as described, emphasizes being "Cultural Rebels" – inclusive, bold, and boundary-pushing. For an operations-minded candidate, this means being comfortable with change, innovation, and potentially unconventional approaches, while still maintaining a rigorous focus on execution and measurable outcomes. The QSR industry context means a fast-paced environment with a strong emphasis on operational efficiency and consumer experience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level, often referred to as an Associate Manager or Product Marketing Manager. It requires independent execution of significant projects and leadership within specific product lines (like Freezes). The scope involves national initiatives and cross-functional leadership, preparing individuals for more senior strategic roles.

Reporting Structure: The Associate Manager reports to the Beverage Marketing Manager. This suggests a clear hierarchy within the beverage marketing function, providing mentorship and guidance. The role's success hinges on effective collaboration with peers in other marketing disciplines and operational departments.

Operations Impact: The role is directly tied to driving revenue through increased "drinks per transaction" and enhancing the overall beverage category's contribution to Taco Bell's success. By optimizing beverage strategy and product innovation, this role directly impacts sales volume, profitability, and brand perception within a key QSR category.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in beverage category strategy, product innovation, and QSR marketing.

• Leadership: Potential to advance to Beverage Marketing Manager, Senior Manager, or Director roles within Brand/Product Marketing.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into broader marketing roles, operations management, or GTM strategy positions within Yum! Brands by demonstrating strong execution and collaboration skills.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in areas like consumer insights, creative development, project management, and cross-functional alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for this role points towards leadership in marketing strategy and execution. For operations professionals, this role offers a chance to influence product strategy from a marketing lens while leveraging their operational skills in execution, project management, and cross-functional alignment. Success here can lead to roles that bridge marketing and operational strategy more directly.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment.

Office Location(s): Irvine, California. The company offers significant onsite amenities, suggesting a hub for collaboration and employee engagement.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model (3 days onsite, flexible Friday) promotes a balance between focused work and collaborative engagement.

• Onsite amenities like childcare, dining, gym, and various services aim to enhance employee well-being and reduce external logistical burdens, facilitating focus on work.

• The Irvine office likely provides a modern, collaborative workspace designed to support the dynamic needs of a large QSR brand.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an approximate 40-hour work week. The hybrid schedule offers flexibility in managing work and personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on onsite amenities and a hybrid schedule indicates a company that values employee experience and provides resources to support productivity and work-life balance. For operations professionals, this environment can foster efficiency by minimizing external distractions and providing a supportive infrastructure for day-to-day tasks and collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter or HR screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, specific projects, and understanding of brand/product strategy. Expect questions about past campaign management and product development.

• Cross-Functional Interview(s): Interviews with key partners from Operations, Supply Chain, Menu Management, or other marketing disciplines. Focus on collaboration style, problem-solving, and ability to drive alignment.

• Presentation/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to present a past project, develop a strategic recommendation for a beverage initiative, or analyze a hypothetical scenario. This is where portfolio elements will be crucial.

• Final Round: Potentially with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the process followed, and—most importantly—the measurable results (e.g., increased DPT, sales lift, successful product launch metrics).

• Showcase Process: Detail your approach to creative brief writing, cross-functional coordination, and managing timelines. Use flowcharts or process maps if helpful.

• Highlight Collaboration: Provide examples of how you successfully partnered with diverse teams (Operations, Supply Chain, Creative Agencies) to achieve program goals.

• Storytelling: Frame your experience as compelling narratives that demonstrate your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to execute.

• Tailor to Beverages: Emphasize any beverage-related projects or demonstrate a strong understanding of the beverage category within QSR.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Frameworks: Be ready to discuss how you approach market analysis, product innovation, and campaign strategy.

• Operational Execution: Prepare to explain how you translate strategy into actionable plans, manage timelines, and ensure operational readiness for launches.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating how you gain buy-in, manage conflicting priorities, and communicate effectively with various internal and external stakeholders.

• Data Interpretation: Be ready to discuss how you use data (sales, consumer insights, financial) to inform decisions and measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will likely assess not only strategic marketing acumen but also the candidate's ability to operationalize those strategies. Candidates should be prepared to discuss the "how" behind their successes, demonstrating a structured, process-oriented approach that aligns with operational excellence. A strong portfolio showcasing execution and cross-functional collaboration will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential, with a strong emphasis on PowerPoint for presentations and deck building. Excel will be critical for financial tracking and data analysis.

• Project Management Software: While not explicitly named, experience with tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar platforms for managing cross-functional workflows and timelines is highly beneficial.

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams for day-to-day communication and coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Insights & Analytics Tools: Experience with market research platforms, consumer databases, and sales reporting systems. While specific tools aren't listed, an ability to interpret data from such sources is key.

• Financial Tracking Tools: Proficiency in Excel for managing budgets, tracking program performance, and financial analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not directly customer-facing, understanding how CRM data can inform product strategy and campaign targeting is advantageous.

• Internal Systems: Familiarity with internal company systems for product development, supply chain, and marketing asset management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint. However, for a role involving cross-functional coordination and program execution, experience with project management and collaboration tools is implicitly expected. An operations-minded candidate would highlight their ability to leverage these tools for efficiency and clear communication.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Drive for Results: A strong emphasis on achieving tangible outcomes, such as increasing "drinks per transaction" and delivering successful program launches.

• Collaboration & Integration: The need to work seamlessly with diverse teams (Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, Creative) to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Boldness: Embracing the "Cultural Rebel" ethos to challenge the status quo and develop innovative beverage offerings and campaigns.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing insights and analytics to inform strategy and measure the effectiveness of initiatives.

• Efficiency & Organization: The ability to manage complex projects, multiple stakeholders, and detailed timelines with precision and proactivity.

Collaboration Style:

• Central Hub: The role is expected to be a central point of information flow, requiring proactive communication and clear articulation.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Building strong relationships with teams across departments to ensure alignment and successful execution.

• Agency Management: Effectively briefing, managing, and collaborating with external creative agencies to develop compelling assets.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to feedback from insights, finance, and operational teams to refine strategies and programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values a blend of creativity and rigorous execution. For an operations professional, this means demonstrating how you can bring structure, process, and measurable outcomes to creative marketing initiatives while embracing innovation and a "rebel" spirit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Strategy and Execution: Effectively translating high-level brand strategy into actionable, operational plans for beverage programs.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating diverse priorities and communication styles across multiple departments (Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, Creative) to ensure seamless program delivery.

• Pace of the QSR Industry: Adapting to rapid market changes, consumer trends, and competitive pressures within the fast-paced food and beverage sector.

• Innovation Pipeline Management: Consistently identifying, developing, and launching innovative beverage products that resonate with consumers and drive business impact.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Beverage Category Expertise: Deepen knowledge of beverage trends, consumer preferences, and innovation within the QSR and CPG space.

• Brand & Product Management Skills: Enhance skills in strategic planning, creative development, campaign execution, and P&L management.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop stronger abilities in stakeholder management, influencing without direct authority, and driving consensus across diverse teams.

• Industry Exposure: Opportunities to learn from leaders within Yum! Brands and potentially attend industry events relevant to food, beverage, and marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity to grow within a dynamic QSR environment. The challenges are framed as opportunities for skill development, particularly in managing complex projects and influencing cross-functional teams—key areas for operations professionals looking to expand their strategic impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed and executed a product strategy for a new consumer product. What were the key steps, challenges, and outcomes?" (Focus on process, cross-functional involvement, and results.)

• "How would you approach building a product pipeline for a beverage category, considering consumer trends, operational feasibility, and business objectives?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and operational awareness.)

• "Walk us through your process for creating a creative brief for a major marketing campaign. How do you ensure it aligns with business goals and resonates with target consumers?" (Highlight structured approach and storytelling.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Taco Bell's brand and the beverage category specifically?" (Show genuine interest and research.)

• "How do you embody the 'Cultural Rebel' spirit in your professional work?" (Connect personal values with company culture.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment and how you ensure productivity and collaboration." (Address work arrangement expectations.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of the project's strategic intent and your role, then detail the execution process, emphasizing key operational steps and stakeholder engagement. Conclude with clear, quantified results and key learnings.

• Visuals: Use clean, professional slides. Incorporate data visualizations (charts, graphs) to demonstrate impact. If possible, show examples of creative assets developed.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story that highlights your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and ability to execute complex initiatives. Focus on the "why" and the "how."

• Q&A: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your contributions, decision-making process, and how you navigated challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of strategic marketing thinking and robust operational execution. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process, quantify their impact, and showcase their ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams, mirroring the core competencies of successful operations professionals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate Manager, Brand & Product Strategy - Beverages position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in brand management, product marketing, campaign execution, and cross-functional project management. Quantify achievements with metrics like "increased drinks per transaction by X%" or "successfully launched Y new products."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects that showcase your ability to develop strategy, manage creative development, coordinate cross-functional teams, and deliver measurable results. Be ready to present one in detail.

• Research Taco Bell & Yum!: Understand their brand positioning, recent beverage initiatives, and company culture. Prepare to discuss why you are a good fit for the "Cultural Rebel" ethos.

• Practice Interview Questions: Rehearse answers to strategy, execution, and collaboration questions, focusing on the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and demonstrating your operational approach to marketing initiatives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.