At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and major projects for a global consumer goods company.
- Company: Dynamic consumer goods firm with a portfolio of leading brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, private health cover, and hybrid working.
- Other info: High-profile role with exposure to the CEO and Board.
- Why this job: Influence the future of a £3bn business and drive impactful strategies.
- Qualifications: 10-14 years in strategy consulting, strong communication, and consumer market knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 130000 - 165000 £ per year.
About NextStep NextStep connects top consulting talent with high-potential opportunities through smart, AI-powered matching. We partner with ambitious companies across sectors to place experienced professionals in roles where they can have a real impact.
About the Company Our client is a listed consumer goods company headquartered in London, owning a portfolio of market-leading brands across personal care, household, and wellness categories sold in over 60 countries. With revenues of £3bn and a workforce of 8,000, the business is navigating significant strategic complexity, a category portfolio under pressure from challenger brands, a shift in consumer spending patterns, and growing shareholder expectations around sustainability and capital allocation.
The Head of Strategy is a senior role reporting directly to the CEO, with exposure to the Board and Executive Committee.
The Role As Head of Strategy, you will be the CEO's principal strategic advisor, owning the strategic planning process, leading the most consequential strategic projects, and ensuring the business is making bold, well-evidenced choices about its future. This is a high-profile role with real influence over the direction of a global business.
What You’ll Do
- Own the annual and three-year strategic planning process, coordinating inputs from business units and geographies and producing a clear, Board-ready plan.
- Lead major strategic projects on behalf of the CEO (portfolio composition, M&A and divestiture evaluation, new category entry, and operating model transformation).
- Develop and maintain the company's perspective on consumer trends, competitive dynamics, and structural market shifts across its key categories.
- Prepare strategy materials for the Board, Executive Committee, and investor community.
- Build and lead a small, high-calibre central strategy team.
What We’re Looking For
- 10–14 years of experience, with a strong foundation in strategy consulting (top-tier strongly preferred) and ideally some corporate strategy experience in a consumer or FMCG business.
- Deep understanding of consumer markets (category strategy, brand portfolio management, channel dynamics, and competitive positioning).
- Exceptional communicator, able to influence at the most senior levels of a listed business.
- Comfortable with M&A frameworks, capital allocation decisions, and shareholder value analysis.
- Experience working in or advising large, complex, multi-brand consumer businesses is a significant advantage.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary of £130,000 – £165,000, depending on experience.
- Annual bonus with meaningful upside.
- Long-term incentive plan linked to total shareholder return.
- Private health cover, enhanced pension, and hybrid working from the London headquarters.
How to Apply To be considered for this role, please create your profile at getnextstep.com. Once your profile is complete, our matching system will evaluate your background against the role criteria and match you with the company if it’s a strong fit. No cover letter required. This role is listed by NextStep on behalf of our client. All applications are handled with confidentiality.
Head of Strategy (Consumer Goods) employer: NextStep
Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the consumer goods sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, they provide extensive training and development opportunities, alongside competitive compensation packages that include bonuses and health benefits. Located in London, employees enjoy the vibrancy of a global city while being part of a forward-thinking company that prioritises sustainability and strategic impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategy (Consumer Goods)
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like NextStep!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Head of Strategy (Consumer Goods) position at NextStep via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategy (Consumer Goods)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at NextStep.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to NextStep’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at NextStep
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to NextStep. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at NextStep. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to NextStep.
