Job description
Company Overview

The company is made up of a select group of brands specialising in the creation of high quality personal care and beauty products for the consumer and trade market.

They focuses on the design, manufacture and distribution of product in its three key operating functions; Brands (owned), Private Label Supply and Contract Manufacturing.

The company’s customer base ranges from key multiple drugstore, grocery and fashion retailers to premium brands and are supplied throughout the UK and growing international markets.

The company has a reputation for exceptional customer service and consistently leads the way forward in product and brand development and manufacturing resulting in business not only leading the way but setting standards.

Role Responsibilities

The scope of the role spans a number of key areas including:

Brand Performance : Strategy and Analytics

monitoring performance of brands/products and the active management of ranging in terms of high and low performers, profitability, opportunities for growth

Brand Execution : Online and Offline

leading best in class store and online execution and presentation of the brand

Marketing Management + Execution

managing the full marketing mix including trade plans (in conjunction with sales teams), above the line activities and social platforms and strategies

The brand executes regular in store events and pop up opportunities – idea generation, budget control, sales monitoring and working with the sales team and our team of Brand Ambassadors to deliver best results for the brand and increasing consumer awareness

Sales and Commercial Leadership

presentation of brands to key customers (UK and globally), alongside sales team, including ongoing management of brand and marketing activities direct with key customers

ensure all new and ongoing product and live lines meet company margin criteria and perform

Management of Agencies

PR and social media agencies ; budget, performance and annual plans

Performance and KPI management and monitoring to ensure delivery for the brand and wider business

NPD Programme

maintain and develop a pipeline of ideas for brand development to improve in market competitiveness. Ideas based on insight about the external environment (consumer, customer or competitor). Ensure centrally sourced work (NPD or creative) is the right fit for our consumer.

key driver of NPD internally through the business this involves co-ordinating multi-functions and activities, including close liaison with buyers, packaging technologist, R&D, suppliers and the customer

Trend and Innovation Monitoring + Consumer Insights

ensuring a full understanding of new product launches, developments in product innovation, marketing and social strategies and applying to the business as applicable

taking a data-led approach to consumer insights and market dynamics

Specific tasks to achieve the above include, but are not exclusive:

Generation and execution of brand plans

Working in conjunction with UK and Export sales teams on brand opportunities; customer and market driven presentation support

Directing the Creative and R+D teams on product concept generation / NPD
• Product Costings / Profitability / Margin Contribution
• New Product Development involvement (working with product management / NPD team)

Risk analysis assessment

Critical path management

Packaging and Artwork Management (copy writing/artwork/repro co-ordination)

Product Lifecycle Management

EPOS / Promotional / Event sales analysis

Launch forecasting

Merchandising plans

Sample / mock-up generation for PR, Pre-Production Samples & Customer presentations

Competitor Shopping Analysis and Reporting

Candidate Description

Excellent communication skills : written and oral

Good lateral thinker – shows creativity and innovation

Has commercial acumen and an understanding of business issues

Pivotal team player + has a collaborative approach

Able to influence and guide

Open and trustworthy style

Demonstrates strong leadership skills

Ability to multi-task and work on multi-projects – skilled prioritiser

Deadline driven and motivated : self-starter : a ‘can do’ attitude

Successful within a fast paced environment : responds well to pressure and change

Professional, adaptable and flexible

Ideally previous man management experience or can demonstrate the ability to move into this role and challenge

Qualifications
• Able to demonstrate a high level of intellectual ability, likely through good academics (2:1 or equivalent), although other experience or test results may also demonstrate this. Able to demonstrate a high level of numeracy
• Highly proficient in MS Office systems including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Full Driving Licence

Experience

Minimum of 3 years brand management experience. Must be able to demonstrate experience across all elements of branding – strategic planning, performance monitoring, NPD and the ability to work in a commercial environment influencing management in other functions (sales and product development).

Industry experience of working with FMCG brands – health + beauty industry preferred with brands in more premium price positioning and channels including premium offline and digital online platform retailers.