Marketing Manager - Emerging Categories in London

Reporting to the Marketing Director, the Marketing Manager will have end to end accountability (comms, innovation, activation, performance) on setting the agenda and leading the agenda for our Emerging Categories portfolios. As a Marketing Manager for Emerging Categories you will own the development and the implementation of the brand strategy for our Seasonal and Confectionary portfolio, working with our commercial teams to build growth plans, developing and delivering compelling and distinctive brand marketing programmes, and above all building marketing leading brands that people talk about!

Key deliverables

• Set strategic direction for Emerging Categories (Seasonal & Confectionery), including annual brand plans and long-term growth roadmap with UK&I Marketing Director.
• Drive consumer agenda by embedding insights from CMI partners into short- and long-term strategies.
• Identify growth opportunities in targeted demand spaces; deliver annual brand plan and meet budget, NS, TGC, and share targets.
• Assess internal capabilities, address challenges, and implement solutions to achieve objectives.
• Develop innovation pipeline and activation plans, including promotional, pack, pricing strategies aligned with HFSS legislation; lead projects with commercialisation team.
• Act as brand guardian, ensuring integrated marketing plans across OOH, digital, social, PR, and in-store; create standout strategies in competitive categories.
• Manage budgets and ROI, ensuring efficient spend and continuous evaluation; partner with Corporate Communications on sustainability initiatives.
• Lead and develop team, providing line management for two direct reports and fostering high-potential talent.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration for brand building, innovation launches, and sales programmes; influence stakeholders without formal authority.
• Build strong relationships with technical and supply chain teams for renovation projects; secure UKLT support for key initiatives.

Bring your experience

• Experience within Food / FMCG required at Head of Marketing/Marketing Manager/Marketing Controller level (chocolate/confectionery experience preferred), having demonstrated the ability to manage a sophisticated portfolio, ideally with commercial experience in other functions.
• A consumer champion, demonstrating the ability to use consumer insight into opportunity and solid understanding of UK&I consumer and market environment.
• The ability to develop long term growth strategies whilst tackling short term opportunities.
• The ability to deliver the brand strategy in year, reviewing performance on a regular basis, taking remedial action where required.
• Capable and experienced in developing strong commercial plans with a demonstrated ability in understanding key levers to drive profitable growth and demonstrate opportunities.
• Experience in NPD delivery and execution – Ability to launch Innovations into UK market with speed and ease.
• An inspiring storyteller.
• A strong teammate and the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong people and team development skills.

Interview process

• 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency‑based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.
• Final interview based on Leadership Success Model Assessment/role competencies.
• pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process. Some processes may differ, but we will keep you updated!

Benefits

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self‑enrol into Health Cash Plan.
• Private medical Insurance (if eligible by grade).
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme.
• 25 days +