Amanda Shanklin
About Amanda Shanklin
Amanda Shanklin is the Brand Manager for Dog & Cat Feeding Innovation at General Mills in the United States, with over 15 years of experience in brand management and innovation within the pet food industry.
Current Role at General Mills
Amanda Shanklin holds the title of Brand Manager, Dog & Cat Feeding Innovation at General Mills in the United States. In this role, she oversees the development and implementation of new feeding innovations for pet food, focusing on both dogs and cats. Her responsibilities include brand strategy, market analysis, and product development.
Previous Roles in International Marketing
Before her current role, Amanda worked at General Mills in various capacities. Notably, she served as the Global Marketing Manager for Häagen-Dazs Innovation from 2021 to 2023 in the United Kingdom. She also held the position of Sr. Brand Manager for Häagen-Dazs Shops from 2018 to 2021, based in Uxbridge, United Kingdom. In these roles, she was instrumental in driving product innovation and global marketing strategies.
Early Career at General Mills
Amanda's extensive career at General Mills began with the position of Strategy & Innovation Project Coordinator from 2008 to 2011. She then transitioned to an Innovation Associate role, where she worked from 2011 to 2014. Her responsibilities included supporting strategic projects and contributing to innovation initiatives. She was later promoted to Innovation Associate II, a role she held from 2014 to 2015, further enhancing her expertise in brand and product innovation.
Academic Background
Amanda Shanklin has a solid academic foundation. She earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University, studying from 2000 to 2004. She then pursued a Master of Arts (MA) in Criminology at the University of Minnesota Duluth from 2006 to 2008. Her educational background has equipped her with a diverse skill set that complements her professional experience.
Experience in Consumer-First Design
Amanda has a strong background in consumer-first design, having been a part of the Consumer First Design Accelerator team at General Mills. From 2017 to 2018, she served as the Sr. Consumer First Design Accelerator - iSquad in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area. This experience has contributed significantly to her approach in brand management and product innovation, emphasizing consumer needs and preferences.