At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of CandyKing and Pick & Mix in the UK market.
- 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 reshape brand relevance.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on a well-known retail concept and drive strategic change.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial leadership experience and proven P&L ownership.
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.
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:
- Own the end to end transformation, performance, and profitability of CandyKing and bulk Pick & Mix in the UK.
- 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 employer: Cloetta
Cloetta is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and ambition thrive. As Northern Europe's leading confectionery company, employees benefit from a culture that values craftsmanship and innovation, alongside opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with international teams. This role not only provides the chance to lead transformative strategies but also to make a significant impact on a beloved brand, all while enjoying the support of a dedicated central team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Transformational Strategy Lead
✨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 diving deep into Cloetta's brand and values. Show us you understand their mission and how you can contribute to transforming CandyKing into a premium offering.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for CandyKing and how you'd lead its transformation. Confidence and clarity can make all the difference in landing that role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Transformational Strategy Lead
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 into a premium offering and what unique ideas you bring to the table.
Highlight Your P&L Experience:Make sure to emphasise your experience with P&L ownership. We’re looking for someone who can manage revenue, margin, and costs effectively, so share specific examples of how you've driven growth in previous roles.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and candidate profile outlined in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with our needs.
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 any important updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cloetta
✨Know Your CandyKing Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding CandyKing's current market position and its transformation goals. Familiarise yourself with their premium offerings and how they plan to enhance the Pick & Mix experience. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Transformation Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led transformations or turned around business performance. Highlight your P&L management experience and how you've driven growth in complex environments. This will illustrate your capability to take on the responsibilities of the Transformational Strategy Lead.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would approach key customer relationships and cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to discuss strategies for engaging with various stakeholders, from grocery retailers to internal teams. This will showcase your ability to influence and lead across different levels of the organisation.
✨Embrace Ambiguity and Clarity
Cloetta is looking for someone comfortable with ambiguity. Prepare to discuss how you've navigated uncertain situations in the past and how you brought clarity to your teams. This will demonstrate your adaptability and strategic mindset, which are crucial for this role.
