At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects for John Frieda, from concept to launch, in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Kao, a globally recognised ethical company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salaries, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values diversity and encourages entrepreneurial thinking.
- Why this job: Shape the future of beauty products and make a real impact in a creative environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in brand management or innovation, ideally in beauty or consumer goods.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
We are Kao, listed as one of the world’s most ethical companies for the last 20 years. Our EMEA brand portfolio spans across three sectors; Consumer Care (John Frieda, Guhl, Bondi Sands, Bioré, Jergens, Curél), Professional Hair (Goldwell, Oribe, KMS Hair, Kerasilk), and Molton Brown. Our corporate philosophy, The Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.
About our role: The Senior Brand Manager will join the Global John Frieda Innovation & Portfolio Strategy team, helping to shape what comes next for the brand and taking ownership for making it happen. The role combines strategic and creative innovation thinking with hands-on, end-to-end project leadership. You will identify and develop compelling new product opportunities while owning complex innovation projects from initial idea through development to launch. Working in an international and cross-functional environment, you will partner closely with R&D, Kaihatsu, Packaging Development, Legal & Regulatory, Communications, Supply Chain and regional and local Commercial teams.
What you will do:
- Own and drive complex innovation projects end-to-end.
- Lead New Product Development projects through the Stage Gate process, from initial opportunity through development and launch.
- Own timelines, deliverables and critical dependencies; anticipate risks, identify gaps and resolve issues to keep projects moving forward.
- Lead the cross-functional project team.
- Create clarity on actions and decisions, follow through with discipline and ensure teams remain aligned against the overall objective.
- Solve problems and navigate change.
- Shape what comes next by staying close to consumers, culture, beauty trends, emerging technologies and competitive activity to identify new opportunities for John Frieda.
- Translate these into compelling innovation territories, product concepts and recommendations.
- Combine consumer insight, brand strategy, technical possibilities and commercial understanding to develop distinctive product concepts and stories, including claims, naming, design and copy.
- Build compelling innovation stories that bring innovation to life, create excitement and make the proposition easy to understand and sell across markets and audiences.
- Evaluate opportunities against consumer relevance, market potential, portfolio role, feasibility, scalability and cost.
- Help shape the Innovation Masterplan by bringing a clear point of view on future growth opportunities.
- Partner closely with our markets and build strong relationships with regional and local Commercial teams.
- Create alignment and influence decisions.
What you will need:
- University Degree/MBA ideally with a focus on Marketing, Business Management or equivalent.
- 5+ years in similar Global Brand position, with relevant Brand Management, Innovation or New Product Development experience, ideally within Beauty, Personal Care or consumer goods sector.
- Exceptional project leadership and executional discipline.
- A creative and curious mindset, combined with strong analytical and conceptual thinking.
- A confident and influential communication style.
- Experience in a fast-paced, dynamic and highly collaborative environment.
- Strong cultural sensitivity and appreciation of different consumer, market and commercial needs.
- Strong consumer and commercial instinct.
- Strong experience in problem solving with strong ownership and resilience.
At Kao, we believe the diversity of our teams strengthens our global mission. Here we trust and respect each other, collaborating in a friendly and inclusive work environment to achieve great results.
What you can expect from us:
- An entrepreneurial environment where passionate and innovative teams come together.
- A workplace culture that prioritises employee wellbeing.
- A broad range of benefits, including flexible working, competitive salaries, health and wellbeing offers, pension schemes, insurance options, and more.
- Learning and development opportunities.
Your voice matters here, we value entrepreneurial thinking and innovation from our teams.
Senior Brand Manager, John Frieda in London employer: Goldwell
At Kao, we pride ourselves on being an ethical employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our flexible working options, competitive salaries, and extensive learning and development opportunities, all set against the backdrop of our vibrant UK office. Join us to be part of a passionate team that values innovation and respects diverse perspectives, making a meaningful impact in the beauty and personal care industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Brand Manager, John Frieda in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Goldwell and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Goldwell are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Goldwell on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Goldwell. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Brand Manager, John Frieda in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Goldwell. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Goldwell:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Goldwell’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Goldwell
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Goldwell will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Goldwell, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
