Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation in Stoke-on-Trent

Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent Full-Time 85000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Reach Contact Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead field strategy and planning, driving innovation and operational excellence.
  • Company: Join Acosta Europe, a dynamic team focused on growth and client success.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, annual bonus, and hybrid working model.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture that values every team member's contribution.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in FMCG sales and shape the future of the industry.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in field planning and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 85000 - 90000 £ per year.

Office Location: Stoke on Trent (ST4 2HX)

Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3 days per week in the Stoke office, 2 days from home.

Contract: Full‑time, Permanent – 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £85,000 – £90,000 per annum (depending on experience) plus £6,000 annual car allowance and a 15% annual bonus opportunity.

About the Opportunity: Acosta Europe is searching for an exceptional Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation – a strategic, influential leader who will shape the future of field execution across the region. In this high‑impact role, you will design and deliver best‑in‑class field strategies, ensuring flawless activation for our clients while driving operational excellence, innovation, and measurable performance improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead field strategy and planning, including workforce strategy, activation design, and quarterly planning cycles.
  • Drive adoption of AI‑augmented execution solutions and benchmarking.
  • Ensure activation excellence across campaigns, promotions, and merchandising.
  • Use insights and analytics to optimise resources and inform decision‑making.
  • Lead, inspire, and develop planning and activation teams.
  • Partner cross‑functionally with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and clients.
  • Support new business pitches with activation strategies and resource models.

What You'll Bring:

  • Strategic thinker with exceptional operational planning expertise.
  • Strong communicator and influential leader.
  • Highly organised, detail‑oriented, and results‑driven.
  • Proven experience in field planning, activation, or retail operations.
  • Strong data, planning, budgeting, and optimisation capability.
  • Excellent stakeholder management at executive level.
  • Experience with organisational transformation and change.
  • Strong commercial acumen and client relationship experience.
  • Understanding of European FMCG and retail environments.

Why Join Us:

At Acosta Europe, you will be part of a team passionate about growth, innovation, and delivering excellence for our clients. This is a unique opportunity to influence at the highest level, accelerate your career, and shape the direction of a business with big ambitions. We believe diversity and inclusion are the foundation of innovation and success. We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences, creating a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive. If you’re looking for a role where you can make a visible impact and build the future in FMCG sales, this is your moment.

Application: We will close the role once the right candidate is found.

Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Reach Contact Limited

At Acosta Europe, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of growth, innovation, and inclusivity. Located in Stoke on Trent, our hybrid working model allows for a balanced work-life integration, while our commitment to employee development ensures that you will have ample opportunities to advance your career. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the FMCG sector, where your contributions are valued and celebrated.

Reach Contact Limited

Contact Details:

Reach Contact Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation in Stoke-on-Trent

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Senior Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their field strategies and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s not just looking for any job, but is genuinely interested in shaping their future.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to discuss how you've inspired teams and driven operational excellence in past roles. Use specific examples that highlight your strategic thinking and ability to manage stakeholders effectively.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission of delivering excellence in FMCG sales.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation in Stoke-on-Trent

Strategic Thinking
Operational Planning
Field Planning
Activation Design
Data Analysis
Budgeting
Optimisation Capability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Director of Field Planning & Activation. Highlight your strategic thinking and operational planning expertise, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant experience in field planning or retail operations.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and innovation in previous positions, and how you can bring that to Acosta Europe.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior director, we want to see your leadership style. Include examples of how you've inspired and developed teams in the past. We’re looking for someone who can lead cross-functional partnerships, so make sure to highlight those experiences too!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Reach Contact Limited

Know Your Field Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and challenges in field planning and activation. Research Acosta Europe’s recent campaigns and strategies, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Senior Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully managed cross-functional teams and driven operational excellence in previous roles.

Be Data-Driven

Highlight your experience with data analytics and optimisation. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you’ve used insights to inform decision-making and improve performance, as this is crucial for the role.

Engage with Stakeholders

Since stakeholder management is key, think about how you can effectively communicate and build relationships with various departments. Prepare to share examples of how you’ve collaborated with Sales, Marketing, and Finance to achieve common goals.