At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation strategies for iconic brands and drive growth through consumer-led projects.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at a leading FMCG company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health care, and a matched pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for career growth and a culture of inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of beloved brands and driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in innovation or marketing within FMCG, strong leadership skills, and commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Innovation Marketing Manager to lead the GB & International Innovation agenda for some of the UK and Europe’s most loved brands – including our iconic Strings & Things brand. This is a new role within an expanding function focused on delivering innovation that unlocks new growth opportunities for the portfolio.
The Innovation Marketing Manager is the end‑to‑end owner of the branded innovation agenda, responsible for setting the innovation vision, strategy and priorities, and ensuring delivery of a high‑quality, consumer‑led innovation pipeline that drives short, mid and long‑term growth. The role acts as the Innovation Lead, translating strategic growth ambitions into clear innovation platforms, pipelines and launch plans. Reporting to the Head of Innovation, Insights, Category Management & Transformation, the responsibilities include providing leadership, clarity and pace across the innovation funnel – from insight‑led opportunity identification through to in‑market execution – while developing and coaching a high‑performing innovation team.
The position is hybrid, with two days per week in our Staines offices (Tuesday & Wednesday) and requires occasional travel to London and other sites across Ireland and the UK.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Innovation Strategy & Leadership
- Own and lead the Innovation Strategy, aligned to Business Strategy across priority portfolios
- Define clear innovation platforms, guardrails and playing fields for brands and categories
- Provide strong innovation leadership and direction, ensuring the business moves from participation to performance
- Act as the senior innovation voice across the organisation, influencing key stakeholders at all levels
- Innovation Pipeline Ownership & Governance
- Accountable for the health, quality and value of the innovation pipeline across short and long‑term horizons
- Lead innovation forums ensuring gate discipline, pace and quality of decision making
- Ensure innovation projects progress effectively from insight to launch readiness, balancing ambition, feasibility and commercial return
- Maintain a robust, prioritised portfolio that reflects resource, capacity and strategic focus
- Consumer‑Led Proposition Development
- Ensure all innovation is rooted in strong consumer insight
- Oversee development of compelling concepts, propositions and brand‑appropriate solutions
- Manage key agency and external partners to support breakthrough thinking, concept development and delivery
- Bring outside‑in innovation inspiration and best practice into the business
- Commercial & Brand Impact
- Ensure innovation supports brand equity growth and delivers against commercial KPIs (value, margin, success rate)
- Shape innovation launch strategies, ensuring clear roles for brand, innovation and activation
- Track in‑market performance and embed learning loops to strengthen future pipelines
- Partner closely with Insights, Brand, Category, R&D, Finance and Commercial teams to translate ideas into winning, executable propositions
- Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead, coach and develop the team including Senior Innovation Managers and Innovation Manager, setting clear objectives and development pathways
- Create a high‑performing innovation team with strong standards, clear ownership and accountability where people feel empowered, supported and energised
- Foster a culture of curiosity, pace and constructive challenge
- Build innovation capability, mindset and confidence across the wider organisation
Success Measures
- Strength and value of the innovation pipeline (short, medium and long term)
- In‑market success rate of innovation launches
- Delivery of innovation contribution to growth targets
- Stakeholder confidence and alignment behind the innovation agenda
- Capability, engagement and progression of the innovation team
What You Can Bring To The Role
- Significant experience in Innovation, Marketing or Brand roles within FMCG (ideally food/dairy/chilled categories)
- Proven track record of leading complex innovation pipelines from insight to launch
- Experience managing and developing senior team members
- Strong commercial acumen with experience building and evaluating business cases
- Strategic thinker with the ability to simplify complexity
- Strong influencer with gravitas across functions and leadership teams
- Consumer obsessed, insight driven and commercially grounded
- Comfortable with ambiguity; able to set direction where it does not yet exist
- Collaborative, decisive and outcomes focused
- Curiosity, resilience and hunger to learn, grow and push boundaries
What We Can Offer
- 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
- Health Care
- Matched pension scheme
- Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture where diversity, equality and respect are valued. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, class, economic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.
Innovation Marketing Manager in Staines employer: Kinisla
Join a dynamic and innovative team as an Innovation Marketing Manager, where you'll lead the charge for some of the UK's most beloved brands from our Staines office. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values creativity and insight-driven strategies, offering robust employee growth opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including 25 days of annual leave and a matched pension scheme. With a commitment to inclusivity and professional development, we empower our employees to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact on our brand's future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Marketing Manager in Staines
✨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 Kinisla 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 Kinisla 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 Kinisla 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 Kinisla. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Marketing Manager in Staines
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 Kinisla. 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 Kinisla:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Kinisla’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 Kinisla
✨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 Kinisla 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 Kinisla, 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.
