At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the UK Goodies brand and execute innovative marketing strategies.
- Company: Join Hero Group, a mission-driven company with a focus on growth and impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Be a brand ambassador and make a real difference in the early life category.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in brand management or FMCG required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
We are looking for a Brand Manager, Early Life, to manage the inâmarket execution of the UK Goodies brand portfolio plans. Goodies is a globally developed brand by the Hero Group and launched in the UK in 2025. This role will report to the Marketing Manager, Early Life and will be working with the Category and UK teams to execute the global brand strategy within the UK, to include commercialisation of innovation pipeline, input into innovation (NFD/EPD), and ensure the brand is executed in a relevant way for UK consumers.
Working crossâfunctionally with Global Category team, UK Commercial, Communications, Digital, and external partners to execute the Goodies brand through insightâled decision making, compelling commercial execution, and rigorous performance management. Key relationships internally include all Hero UK&I teams including Marketing & Sales, Finance and all the key stakeholders within Hero business â Marketing Excellence, Category Teams. Key relationships externally include Packaging & Design agencies.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the execution of Goodies portfolio in the UK, including the full NFD pipeline, working closely in collaboration with the Category team and UK stakeholders to review feasibility and scale for UK market.
- Partner with the UK Early Life and Category teams to align on a robust 2â3âyear innovation roadmap aligned to Category team strategy and local market opportunities.
- UK ambassador for all brand and packaging execution â ensuring local market inputs are considered in all packaging design and development.
- Lead the commercial team in delivering best in class execution of the Goodies portfolio, with a strong focus on managing core SKUs and landing innovation.
- UK brand guardian across all executional touchpoints across shopper and retail channels (Inâstore, online, OOH).
- Working with the Sales team on delivering against the Goodies channel strategy â building mental and physical availability.
- Supporting the Early Life Marketing Manager develop compelling, insightâdriven selling stories that create âwowâ moments for customers and drive retailer engagement.
- Support customerâfacing teams with clear, persuasive commercial narratives.
- Evaluate research outputs and translate insights into clear recommendations for the business, including the annual brand health tracker.
- Disseminate findings to crossâfunctional teams to inform decision making and future planning.
- Collaborate with external partners e.g. BBC on Goodies opportunities for UK market.
- Oversee execution of joint initiatives and evaluate performance to maximise brand impact.
- Lead the rolling performance review of the Goodies portfolio, identifying risks, opportunities, and required interventions.
- Deliver the annual portfolio SWOT analysis with associated action plans to drive growth and efficiency.
- Monitor inâmarket performance and recommend strategic adjustments.
- Own UK inputs to Global Category trackers and represent the UK team and key forums.
- Review and track portfolio pricing versus marketplace â make relevant recommendations.
- Work closely with the Global team and Senior Communications Manager and Digital team to develop core communication briefs.
- Ensure brand priorities are brought to life consistently across all consumer touchpoints.
- Degree level or equivalent.
- Strong experience in brand management, portfolio strategy, or innovation within FMCG.
- Experience leading crossâfunctional teams and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing innovation pipelines (NFD/EPD).
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate insights into compelling selling stories.
- Excellent analytical skills with experience in performance management and portfolio optimisation.
- Ability to manage external partners and build productive, longâterm relationships.
- Strong communication and brief writing skills, particularly for research and creative development.
- Confident working with research platforms and methodologies (e.g., VYPR).
- Experience in baby food, childrenâs food, or health focused FMCG categories.
- Knowledge of UK grocery retail dynamics and shopper behaviour.
- Experience working with licensed partnerships or brand collaborations.
- Understanding of pricing strategy and promotional effectiveness.
- Demonstrate the Hero Values.
- Keen problemâsolving skills â able to use âgut instinctâ balanced with analytical evidence.
- Strong influencing and communication skills at all levels and crossâfunctionally.
- Personal integrity.
- Demonstrate a drive for growth and a proâactive and curious nature to make recommendations.
- Multiple stakeholder management â you will need to work with and influence every team in the business.
- Being clear on your priorities â focusing on the vital projects that will deliver for the business and are aligned to business strategy & execute with excellence.
You will have the opportunity to be part of a missionâdriven business at a hugely exciting point in our growth trajectory, where your voice is heard and where youâre able to actively impact our business. Some great perks in working for Hero UK&I include:
- 25 days holiday. You will also get an extra dayâs holiday to be taken on or around your birthday.
- Free Deliciously Ella App Access for you and five friends and family.
- Private Medical Insurance.
- Contributory pension scheme and access to free pension advice.
- Access to Grocery Aid employee assistance resources.
- Massages & Reflexology when you are in our Bournemouth office.
- Psycle Classes when you are in our London office.
- Nursery Benefit.
- Bike to Work and Electric Car Schemes.
- Car Park benefits at our Bournemouth Office.
- Hybrid Working and Flexible Bank Holidays.
- Team breakfasts and Lunches and unlimited access to tea, coffee, milk, fruit and snacks from all our UK brands (depending on availability).
- Learning Opportunities and Study Leave.
At Hero UK&I we are committed to cultivating and maintaining a culture that is inclusive and diverse. We celebrate differences and continually support all team members to be proud of who they are. We pride ourselves on equal employment opportunity regardless of gender, sex, age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or social class. We hire the best people based on an evaluation of their abilities and effectiveness, nothing else.
Brand Manager, Early Life in Milton Keynes employer: Hero Group
Contact Detail:
Hero Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Brand Manager, Early Life in Milton Keynes
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand the Goodies brand and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what theyâre about.
â¨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why youâre the perfect fit for the Brand Manager role. Highlight your experience in brand management and innovation, and donât forget to showcase your passion for the FMCG sector.
â¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows youâre genuinely interested in joining our team at Hero UK&I.
We think you need these skills to ace Brand Manager, Early Life in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Show Your Passion for the Brand: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the Goodies brand shine through! We want to see how you connect with our mission and values, so share why you're excited about this role and how you can contribute to our growth.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in brand management and innovation. Weâre looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so be specific about your past roles and how they relate to what we do at Hero UK&I.
Be Insight-Driven: Since this role involves a lot of insight-led decision making, donât forget to mention any analytical skills or experiences you have. Show us how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles â itâll make your application stand out!
Keep It Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity, so make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary and keep your language straightforward. Remember, we want to get to know you, but we also want to see that you can communicate effectively!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hero Group
â¨Know Your Brand Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Goodies brand and its portfolio. Understand its unique selling points, target audience, and how it fits into the UK market. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion and alignment with the brand's vision.
â¨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience working with various teams, especially in brand management and innovation. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with marketing, sales, and external partners to drive brand success. This will highlight your ability to influence stakeholders effectively.
â¨Prepare Insight-Driven Selling Stories
Think about how you can translate insights into compelling narratives. Bring examples of past projects where you used data to inform decisions or create impactful marketing strategies. This will showcase your analytical skills and commercial acumen, which are crucial for this role.
â¨Understand the Market Dynamics
Familiarise yourself with the UK grocery retail landscape and shopper behaviour, particularly in the FMCG sector. Be prepared to discuss current trends and how they might impact the Goodies brand. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and readiness to adapt to market changes.