At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting brand initiatives and impactful retailer activations in a dynamic marketing team.
- Company: Join INSPIRED Pet Nutrition, an award-winning pet food manufacturer with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive bonuses, and unique perks like paw-ternity leave and discounted pet food.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to workplace happiness and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the pet nutrition industry while driving brand growth and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG marketing and strong project management skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Crick, Northamptonshire or Thirsk, North Yorkshire | Permanent | Hybrid
We’re excited to be recruiting for a Senior Activation Manager to join our Marketing team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced FMCG marketing professional, perfect for someone passionate about bringing brand initiatives to life, driving in‑year performance and delivering impactful retailer activations. You’ll be responsible for leading the execution of in‑year brand activity, working cross‑functionally to deliver seamless NPD launches, impactful retailer campaigns and measurable ROI. You’ll play a key role in supporting Year 2 planning for strategic customers, ensuring strong commercial performance and continuous improvement across our brand portfolio.
About us: INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, well‑established, and award‑winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our family of brands includes Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher's, Classic, Pro‑Nutrition, and Ultra Premium Direct, along with a number of partner brands that trust us to produce food on their behalf. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel, and Crick produce a wide range of dry, wet, and baked foods enjoyed by dogs and cats all over the world. Our ambition is simple: to become a global leader in pet nutrition.
Our Purpose: To create happiness. We’re on a mission to set a new standard of workplace happiness within the pet nutrition industry—one that looks like no other and feels like no other. Our culture is built on INSPIRED’s unique behaviours and colleague experience, creating an environment that excites, empowers, and puts people and pets at the heart of everything we do.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the delivery of in‑year brand portfolio sales and profit targets
- Lead seamless execution of brand initiatives and retailer‑specific activations
- Deliver NPD targets through impactful and well‑coordinated launches
- Strategically allocate retailer JMP in line with customer prioritisation to drive ROI
- Develop and execute retailer media plans that increase awareness, consideration and penetration
- Measure and track A&P effectiveness and return on investment
- Lead multi‑brand activations and innovation projects to ensure profitable portfolio growth
- Work cross‑functionally with NAMs and Brand teams to develop differentiated retailer initiatives
- Support the development of a 2‑year innovation pipeline capable of driving incremental gross sales
- Contribute to building an engaged, high‑performing marketing function and support development of junior team members
About you
- Degree calibre with strong commercial understanding
- Proven experience within a branded FMCG environment
- Strong track record of driving brand and business growth
- Experience working cross‑functionally with Sales and Commercial teams
- Confident managing retailer activation spend and evaluating ROI
- Strong organisational and project management skills
- Resilient, tenacious and results‑focused
- Pet category experience beneficial but not essential
Our Total Reward Benefits include:
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Annual bonus related to personal and company performance
- 15% Enhanced pension, life assurance, and enhanced maternity, paternity, sick pay, and holiday buy options
- People and Pets First benefits, including paw‑reavement and paw‑ternity leave and bring your dog to work
- Healthcare cashback plan and Hertility at‑home fertility testing and Private Medical Insurance
- Heavily discounted pet food and lifestyle benefits (Netflix, Spotify, or breakdown cover)
- Retail and gym discounts, electric car scheme, and free onsite parking and electric car charging
- Onsite canteen, free hot drinks, and modern facilities
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the colleagues and communities we serve. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We make hiring decisions based on talent, potential and the experience you bring. We are also committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring equitable access and opportunity for all. If you need any adjustments or support to take part in our recruitment process, please let us know by emailing recruitment@inspiredpetnutrition.com.
Senior Activation Manager in Thirsk employer: Inspired Pet Nutrition
INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises happiness and well-being for its employees. With a strong focus on professional growth, the company provides numerous benefits including hybrid working, enhanced pension schemes, and unique perks like paw-ternity leave and discounted pet food. Located in Crick or Thirsk, employees enjoy a supportive environment that fosters collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for passionate FMCG marketing professionals to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Activation Manager in Thirsk
✨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 Inspired Pet Nutrition 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 Inspired Pet Nutrition 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 Inspired Pet Nutrition 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 Inspired Pet Nutrition. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Activation Manager in Thirsk
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 Inspired Pet Nutrition. 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 Inspired Pet Nutrition:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Inspired Pet Nutrition’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 Inspired Pet Nutrition
✨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 Inspired Pet Nutrition 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 Inspired Pet Nutrition, 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.
