At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of CandyKing, enhancing its premium offering and driving profitability.
- Company: Join Cloetta, Northern Europe's leading confectionery company with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: High-profile role with full ownership and significant exposure to leadership teams.
- Other info: Opportunity to collaborate globally and drive transformation in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on a well-known retail concept in the UK market.
- Qualifications: Senior commercial experience with proven P&L ownership and strategic thinking skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Nigel Wright Group is supporting Cloetta with this search. Ever wondered what it's like to work for Northern Europe's leading confectionery company? At Cloetta, we don't just make candy – we create moments of joy that reach millions of consumers across more than 60 markets. With a heritage dating back to 1862 and iconic brands including CandyKing, Cloetta is built on craftsmanship, creativity, and ambition.
CandyKing is not just a product – it is a concept, a shopping experience, and a Superbrand in Pick & Mix. In the UK, we now have a unique opportunity to redefine and transform CandyKing: elevating it into a more premium, differentiated and future ready proposition, while simultaneously building a fit for purpose private label / value led Pick & Mix offering for price driven channels.
This role sits at the heart of the UK turnaround and will play a decisive role in reshaping both Pick & Mix and the broader UK business performance. The position will be heavily supported by the central CandyKing team, providing strategic direction, insights, concepts, and best practices.
Your mission & the impact you'll make: As CandyKing / Pick & Mix Transformational Officer (UK), you will own the end to end transformation, performance, and profitability of CandyKing and bulk Pick & Mix in the UK. This is a hands on leadership role, combining strategy, commercial execution, and transformation delivery.
The person will:
- Lead the transition of CandyKing into a clearly premium, experience led offering, strengthening its relevance with grocery, leisure, and destination retailers.
- Build and scale a complementary 'private label / value Pick & Mix' proposition for customers in high street, discount, and price driven channels—without diluting the CandyKing Superbrand.
- Hold full P&L responsibility for CandyKing and bulk Pick & Mix in the UK.
- Act as a change leader and strategic catalyst, contributing well beyond Pick & Mix into the broader UK turnaround agenda.
- Serve as the key UK interface to the global CandyKing central team, leveraging group capabilities while translating strategy into local execution.
In addition, you will play a role in shaping how CandyKing shows up in the UK market—supporting brand activation and relevance, including building a clearer association between Pick & Mix and key consumption occasions such as movie and TV viewing.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy & Transformation: Develop and deliver a clear UK roadmap for Pick & Mix, covering both premium brand and value segments. Lead the evolution of proposition including assortment, pricing, fixtures, and shopper experience. Translate global strategy into locally effective execution.
- Commercial & P&L Ownership: Full P&L responsibility (revenue, margin, cost control, EBIT). Lead planning, forecasting, and performance management. Develop tailored commercial models across different channels.
- Customer & Channel Development: Manage key customer relationships for Pick & Mix-led accounts. Define differentiated propositions across grocery, leisure, convenience, and discount channels. Explore new routes to market, including emerging and online channels.
- Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Contribute at UK leadership level, supporting wider business priorities. Work closely with sales, marketing, supply chain, and finance functions. Promote a transformation-focused mindset across the organisation.
- Global Collaboration: Partner with central teams to leverage expertise in brand, category, and analytics. Ensure alignment with broader brand positioning and standards. Share market insights to inform wider strategy.
Candidate Profile
This opportunity would suit a commercially strong leader with experience driving transformation in complex environments. Key experience and attributes include:
- Senior commercial or general management background (FMCG, retail, or consumer-facing sectors).
- Proven P&L ownership and track record of delivering growth or turnaround.
- Experience operating across multiple channel tiers (premium to value).
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and ability to influence at senior level.
- Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution capability.
- Comfortable working with ambiguity and driving clarity.
- Experience within confectionery, snacking, or retail concepts would be beneficial but is not essential.
Why Apply?
- High-profile role with full end-to-end ownership.
- Opportunity to reshape a well-known retail concept within the UK market.
- Significant exposure across both UK leadership and international teams.
- Ability to make a tangible commercial and strategic impact.
Transformational Strategy Lead in England employer: Cloetta
Cloetta is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the transformation of CandyKing, a beloved brand in the UK confectionery market. With a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, Cloetta fosters a dynamic work culture that encourages creativity and strategic thinking, allowing you to make a significant impact while working alongside talented professionals. The company's commitment to innovation and excellence ensures that you will be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to redefining the future of Pick & Mix.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Transformational Strategy Lead in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Cloetta or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Cloetta's recent projects and their market position. Show us you know your stuff and how you can contribute to their transformation journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Transformational Strategy Lead. We want to hear how you can elevate CandyKing into a premium offering.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Cloetta.
We think you need these skills to ace Transformational Strategy Lead in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Transformation:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for transformation shine through! We want to see how you can elevate CandyKing and make it a premium experience. Share specific examples of how you've driven change in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for this role. Highlight your P&L experience and strategic thinking without going off on tangents.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for this specific role. We’re looking for someone who understands the nuances of both premium and value segments. Show us how your background aligns with the unique challenges and opportunities at CandyKing.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cloetta
✨Know Your CandyKing Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Cloetta's CandyKing brand. Understand its history, current market position, and future aspirations. This knowledge will help you articulate how your vision aligns with their goals, especially in transforming the Pick & Mix experience.
✨Showcase Your Transformation Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led transformation initiatives. Highlight your P&L management experience and how you've driven growth in complex environments. This will demonstrate your capability to take on the responsibilities of the Transformational Strategy Lead.
✨Engage with Strategic Questions
Think about strategic questions you can pose during the interview. For instance, ask about their vision for the premium segment of CandyKing or how they plan to balance the private label offerings. This shows your strategic thinking and genuine interest in the role.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration Skills
Cloetta values collaboration across various functions. Be ready to discuss how you've worked with sales, marketing, and finance teams in the past. Share examples that highlight your ability to influence stakeholders and drive a transformation-focused mindset within an organisation.
