Strategic Planner

Company Description Mars United℠ Commerce is a global commerce marketing practice that aligns people, technology, and intelligence to make the business of our clients better today than it was yesterday. Our worldwide capabilities coalesce into four key disciplines — Strategy & Analytics, Content & Experiences, Digital Commerce, and Retail Consultancy — that individually deliver unmatched results for clients and collectively give them an unparalleled network of seamlessly integrated functions across the entire commerce marketing ecosystem. These disciplines are powered by our industry‑leading technology platform, Marilyn®, which helps marketers understand the total business impact of their commerce marketing activation, enabling them to make better decisions, create connected experiences, and drive stronger, measurable results.

Overview We’re looking for a Shopper Marketing Strategic Planner to help shape connected commerce strategies for some of the world’s leading brands, including Mars Snacking, Mars Petcare, Diageo and Kenvue. This role sits at the heart of strategy, insight and creativity – turning shopper and consumer understanding into compelling propositions that drive growth across global, regional and local markets. You’ll work closely with creative and client leadership teams and regularly present strategic thinking to senior clients.

Responsibilities What you’ll be doing:

• Develop short‑ and long‑term integrated shopper and commerce strategies aligned to client objectives.
• Derive insight to build clear communication propositions and creative platforms.
• Partner with creative and client teams to write strong, inspiring creative briefs.
• Review creative concepts and provide strategic input and recommendations.
• Work cross‑functionally across the agency to ensure strategy is delivered effectively.
• Conduct secondary research into shopper, consumer, cultural and industry trends.
• Support and deliver primary research for clients and the agency where required.
• Track competitive, category and shopper behaviour to inform strategic direction.
• Collaborate with the wider planning team to develop clear strategic implications.
• Deliver projects to a consistently high standard, managing time and priorities effectively.

Qualifications About you:

• Strong understanding of integrated marketing, particularly shopper and commerce strategy.
• Ability to synthesise complex information and extract clear, compelling insight.
• Highly creative thinker with strong conceptual, writing and storytelling skills.
• Confident presenter with excellent verbal communication skills.
• Research‑driven, with a working knowledge of marketing analytics.
• Proactive, self‑starting and comfortable working independently.
• Strong problem‑solver with excellent organisation and deadline management.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word) and Google Suite.

Benefits Mars United℠ Commerce offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You’ll also have access to a range of additional initiatives.

Equal Opportunity At Mars United℠ Commerce, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application. Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.