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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the expansion of Zebra Basmati Rice across Europe and build strong distributor relationships.
- Company: Join Hamsons, a dynamic FMCG brand with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, extensive travel opportunities, and long-term career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while exploring diverse European markets.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in FMCG, strong negotiation skills, and a valid UK passport.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy in a high-impact role with strategic influence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: United Kingdom (Hybrid), Territory: United Kingdom & Europe
Employment Type: Full-Time
Eligibility: Must hold a valid UK passport
Travel Requirement: High (Extensive European travel required)
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Brand Development Manager – Europe to lead the expansion of Zebra Basmati Rice across key European markets, with a primary focus on Asian, ethnic, and specialty grocery retailers. This is a hybrid role based in the UK, requiring frequent and extensive travel across Europe, alongside recurring visits to our UK head office. The successful candidate will play a critical role in building regional brand presence, securing shelf space, managing distributor relationships, and executing localized go‑to‑market strategies across diverse European markets.
Key Responsibilities – Brand Expansion & Market Development
- Lead the rollout and growth of Zebra Basmati Rice across European markets, particularly within Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and ethnic grocery channels
- Identify and onboard new distributors, wholesalers, and key retail partners across Europe
- Develop and execute country‑specific brand entry strategies, tailored to local consumer behavior and retail dynamics
- Drive in‑store visibility, product placement, planograms, and shelf optimization
Retail & Distributor Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with ethnic grocery chains, independent specialty retailers, regional distributors and importers
- Negotiate listings, pricing structures, promotional support, and trade terms
- Coordinate sampling programs, in‑store activations, and regional promotions
- Monitor sell‑through, velocity, and replenishment cycles in collaboration with internal teams
Cultural & Market Adaptation
- Adapt brand messaging, packaging positioning, and promotional strategies to suit language, cultural, and regional preferences
- Provide market feedback on SKU performance, pack sizes, pricing sensitivity, competitive landscape
- Ensure brand consistency while allowing for localized execution
Internal Collaboration & Reporting
- Work closely with sales leadership, marketing teams, supply chain & logistics, data & analytics teams
- Provide regular reporting on market performance, expansion progress, distributor activity, competitive intelligence
- Participate in strategic planning sessions at the UK head office
Required Experience & Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience in FMCG/Food & Beverage, ideally within rice, grains, staples, or ethnic food categories
- International or multi‑market brand expansion experience
- Proven track record of developing brands across multiple European markets
- Strong understanding of international grocery retail environments, ethnic & specialty food distribution channels, product placement, merchandising, and trade marketing
- Experience working across different cultures, languages, and consumer profiles
- Ability to operate independently in field‑based roles while aligning with HQ strategy
- Valid UK passport (mandatory)
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong commercial and negotiation skills
- Strategic thinker with hands‑on execution capability
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building abilities
- High adaptability to regional and cultural nuances
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage extensive travel
- Data‑driven mindset with the ability to translate insights into action
- Entrepreneurial attitude with a growth‑focused mentality
Travel & Work Structure
- Extensive travel across Europe is required and expected
- Hybrid working model: field‑based across European markets with recurring visits to the UK head office for planning, reviews, and collaboration
- Flexibility to travel frequently and manage varying schedules is essential
What We Offer
- Opportunity to lead European expansion for a well‑established international FMCG brand
- High‑impact role with autonomy and strategic influence
- Long‑term growth opportunities within a global food business
Brand Development Manager - Europe in Birmingham employer: Hamsons
Contact Detail:
Hamsons Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Brand Development Manager - Europe in Birmingham
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend trade shows, networking events, or even local meetups. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your past successes and how you’ve driven brand growth. Use specific examples that highlight your experience in FMCG and market expansion.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every market is different, so make sure you adapt your pitch to fit the audience. Research the company and their brand presence in Europe, and be ready to discuss how you can help them grow in specific markets.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Hamsons.
We think you need these skills to ace Brand Development Manager - Europe in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Brand Development Manager. Highlight your experience in FMCG and any specific achievements in brand expansion across European markets. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your skills align with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your experience with ethnic grocery channels and your adaptability to different cultures.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you increase market share or improve product placement? Numbers speak volumes, so let us know how you've made an impact in your previous roles.
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 our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hamsons
✨Know Your Brand Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Zebra Basmati Rice and its positioning in the market. Familiarise yourself with its unique selling points, target demographics, and current market trends in Europe. This will help you demonstrate your passion for the brand and your ability to drive its expansion.
✨Showcase Your Cultural Awareness
Given the role's focus on diverse European markets, be prepared to discuss your experience working across different cultures and languages. Share specific examples of how you've adapted marketing strategies to suit local preferences, as this will highlight your ability to connect with various consumer profiles.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Since building relationships with distributors and retailers is key, come ready to discuss your negotiation tactics. Prepare a few success stories where you secured listings or improved trade terms, showcasing your commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
✨Prepare for Travel Discussions
With extensive travel being a requirement, be ready to talk about your flexibility and past experiences managing travel schedules. Highlight how you’ve successfully balanced fieldwork with collaboration at headquarters, as this will reassure them of your adaptability and organisational skills.
