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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead field strategy and planning, driving innovation and operational excellence.
- Company: Acosta Europe, a leader in FMCG sales with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and benefits package, with a hybrid working model.
- Other info: Join a culture that values diverse backgrounds and empowers everyone to thrive.
- Why this job: Make a visible impact in a strategic leadership role within a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in field planning and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Stoke on Trent
Category: Head Office
Contract Type: Permanent Full Time
Office Location: Stoke on Trent (ST4 2HX)
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3 days per week from Stoke Office, 2 days from home.
Contract: Full‑time, Permanent 37.5 hours per week
About The Opportunity
Acosta Europe is searching for an exceptional Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation – a strategic, influential leader who will shape the future of field execution across the region. In this high‑impact role, you will design and deliver best‑in‑class field strategies, ensuring flawless activation for our clients while driving operational excellence, innovation, and measurable performance improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead field strategy & planning including workforce strategy, activation design, and quarterly planning cycles.
- Drive adoption of AI‑augmented execution solutions and benchmarking.
- Ensure activation excellence across campaigns, promotions, and merchandising.
- Use insights and analytics to optimise resources and inform decision‑making.
- Lead, inspire, and develop planning and activation teams.
- Partner cross‑functionally with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and clients.
- Support new business pitches with activation strategies and resource models.
What You’ll Bring
- Strategic thinker with exceptional operational planning expertise.
- Strong communicator and influential leader.
- Highly organised, detail‑oriented, and results‑driven.
- Proven experience in field planning, activation, or retail operations.
- Strong data, planning, budgeting, and optimisation capability.
- Excellent stakeholder management at executive level.
- Experience with organisational transformation and change.
- Strong commercial acumen and client relationship experience.
- Understanding of European FMCG and retail environments.
Benefits
Full Salary and benefits package discussed at screening stage. At Acosta Europe, we believe diversity and inclusion are the foundation of innovation and success. We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences, creating a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive.
If you’re looking for a role where you can make a visible impact, and build the future in FMCG sales—this is your moment. Ready to apply? If you’re a strategic leader who thrives on driving impact and connecting people, priorities, and performance — we’d love to hear from you. Please note once the right candidate is found we will close the role, so Apply Now!
Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation employer: Acosta
Contact Detail:
Acosta Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We recommend practising common interview questions and having your own questions ready to show your interest. This will help you stand out as a strategic thinker who’s genuinely invested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When discussing your experience, focus on specific examples of how you’ve driven results in previous roles. We want to see how you’ve made an impact, especially in areas like field planning and activation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We believe this shows your enthusiasm and professionalism, which are key traits for a Senior Director role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation. Highlight your strategic thinking and operational planning expertise, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant experience in field planning or retail operations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples of how you've driven impact in previous positions and how you can bring that same energy to our team.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Senior Director, we want to see your leadership style. Share experiences where you’ve inspired teams or led cross-functional projects. This will help us understand how you can lead and develop our planning and activation teams.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acosta
✨Know Your Field Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Acosta Europe's field strategy and planning processes. Familiarise yourself with their current campaigns and how they leverage AI in execution. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Director, you'll need to lead and inspire teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure situations. Highlight your ability to drive operational excellence and innovation, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role requires strong data and optimisation capabilities, come prepared with insights from your previous roles. Discuss how you've used analytics to inform decision-making and optimise resources. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and results-driven approach.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Stakeholder management is crucial for this position. Think about your experiences working with cross-functional teams and clients. Be ready to share how you've built relationships and collaborated effectively with various departments, showcasing your strong communication skills.