Senior Brand Manager - Masterbrand Comms in Carlisle

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits. To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.

In 2021, pladis proudly opened the doors to our vibrant global hub, the MIU Campus. Located in the heart of Chiswick Park, West London, just a short 5-minute walk from Gunnersbury Station, our campus is nestled within 33 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, offering a welcoming and inspiring environment for all. Chiswick Park is home to both our UK and Global Corporate teams, bringing together diverse teams across the business.

As Senior Brand Manager (15-month FTC) for the McVitie’s Masterbrand, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the brand’s communication and marketing strategy, driving compelling, distinctive campaigns that keep McVitie’s top of mind and culturally relevant. Partnering closely with the Marketing Manager, you’ll lead cross‑channel communications, support the development and execution of strategic brand plans, and act as a true brand guardian with deep consumer insight and strong commercial acumen. This role is highly visible across the business, requiring confident stakeholder engagement up to Director and UK Exec level, and close collaboration with cross‑functional teams to ensure best‑in‑class execution and sustainable brand growth.

• Partner with the marketing manager, media team and key communication agencies to lead the development and delivery of Masterbrand communications strategy & plans to meet business sales and profit targets in line with Brand Planning process and pladis UK performance metrics.
• Manage the development of strong coordinated marketing plans, as appropriate across OOH, digital, social media, in-store. Lead cross functional teams to deliver ongoing brand building and sales driving programmes, including in-store activation and new product launches.
• Drive the consumer agenda, working with CMI partners to bring consumer closeness and insight led plan development and activities.
• Control Marketing expenditure within pre-agreed budget and ensure evaluation of all spend on a continuous basis.
• Work with CMI partners to monitor key Masterbrand performance metrics such as market share and brand equity, taking corrective action accordingly.
• Delivery of Brand and business performance metrics. Have a strong commercial awareness of brand performance and regularly update Marketing Director (and UKLT where appropriate) on key issues / successes. Regularly review plan and performance throughout year, taking appropriate remedial action as vital.
• Emphasis on using data and insights to drive projects and the development of the brand.
• Engage and persuade others to gain dedication to key initiatives without reliance on formal authority. Encourage our commercial teams to deliver for the job holder’s respective brand.
• Partner with Sales and Commercial Planning support to ensure Masterbrand activity supports retailer priorities and trading performance, balancing brand equity and short-term commercial objectives.
• Manage multiple workstreams, proactively identifying delivery risks and implementing mitigation plans to protect performance.
• Line manage and develop an Assistant Brand Manager, providing coaching, performance feedback and workload prioritisation to ensure strong delivery and capability growth.

Essential

• Track record owning and delivering 360 Comms campaigns, ideally in FMCG but not essential.
• Proven experience in dealing with comms and design agencies, ability to work with cross functional teams.
• Strong commercial acumen.
• Proven track record of good project management experience.
• To demonstrate the ability to lead and influence partner at all levels of the business.
• Budget Management.
• To be a self-starter, able to work across multiple projects and fields.
• FMCG experience on brands with a consistent record in achieving results-oriented growth plans.
• Experience of cross functional working.
• Proven technical marketing experience.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.

Car Allowance – paid monthly.

Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan.

Private medical Insurance (if eligible by grade).

Enhanced parental leave and a supportive phased return-to-work program to help colleagues balance family and career.

Stakeholder Pension Scheme.

Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme.

25 days + bank holidays.

Holiday Enhancement Scheme.

1 Volunteering Day per year.

Cycle to work scheme.

Discounted gym membership – Carlisle and Chiswick only.

Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services.

Access to Employee Assistance Programme.

Financial Wellbeing Support.

Access to great training and development opportunities.

Best mix of ingredients

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

Accessibility at Chiswick: Our Chiswick site has step-free access, accessible entrances and lifts between floors to support individuals with mobility needs. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, and where possible to perform key job functions.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidates to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business. We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.

Formed in 2016, pladis is the proud steward of over 300 years of family baking and confectionery experience. The expertise of our 16,000-strong global workforce spans 27 bakeries across 11 countries and is united by our purpose: to ‘bring happiness with every bite’.