At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape brand strategies and drive innovative consumer campaigns for a beloved food brand.
- Company: Join Sofina Foods, a leading global food company with a passion for quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work with iconic brands.
- Other info: Dynamic environment fostering innovation and collaboration across a global team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a brand with 90 years of heritage and 80% awareness.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG brand management or an ambitious assistant ready for growth.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Help shape the future of one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic food brands. The new Brand Manager will be responsible for building strong brand plans, driving innovation and delivering engaging consumer campaigns across the Cookstown portfolio.
- Develop and deliver annual and long-term brand strategies aligned to business objectives.
- Use consumer, shopper and market insight to identify growth opportunities and shape brand direction.
- Lead branded NPD and EPD projects in partnership with Innovation and Category teams.
- Support integrated marketing campaigns across digital, social and shopper channels.
- Manage agency relationships to deliver high-quality campaigns, content and creative assets.
- Lead packaging development and artwork approval processes across the portfolio.
- Analyse brand, category and retailer performance to support commercial decision-making.
- Support retailer presentations, range reviews and promotional planning with commercial teams.
- Monitor competitor activity, pricing and market trends to identify opportunities and risks.
- Manage digital content calendars and review campaign and social media performance.
- Oversee marketing spend and support ROMI analysis and performance reviews.
Our new Brand Manager will play a key role in shaping the future growth of the Cookstown brand, one of Northern Ireland’s most recognised and loved food brands with over 80% brand awareness and a heritage spanning almost 90 years. This is an exciting opportunity to help reinvigorate and modernise an iconic local brand, redefining how Cookstown shows up across every consumer touchpoint — from packaging and innovation to social media, campaigns and shopper experiences.
Working closely with commercial, category, innovation and agency partners, you’ll help unlock the next phase of growth for a brand already trusted by generations of consumers. Based at our Cookstown site, this role is ideal for an experienced FMCG Brand Manager or ambitious Assistant Brand Manager ready to step into a broader strategic role within a fast-moving food business.
Sofina Foods isn't just a food company - it’s a place to build your future. With a team of over 13,000 people across 40 sites in Canada and Europe, we're passionate about delivering quality meats and seafood products to consumers around the world. Join a company where innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction drive everything we do. At Sofina, you’ll grow your skills, make a real impact, and work with responsibly sourced products from more than 50 protein sources across five continents.
Our vision is bold: to be the most successful food company in the world. If you’re looking for a rewarding career in the food industry, there’s a place for you at Sofina Foods. Sofina Foods is one of the world’s leading food companies, producing over 500 million meals every year across 40 sites in Canada and Europe. Backed by more than 30 years of industry expertise, we combine the scale of a global business with the entrepreneurial spirit of a fast-moving organisation.
Joining Sofina means becoming part of a business with ambitious growth plans, iconic brands and a culture that encourages fresh thinking, innovation and collaboration. This role offers the chance to work on a household-name brand with genuine heritage, while helping shape what the next generation of Cookstown looks like. If you are looking for a role where you can make a visible impact, influence brand strategy and help shape the future of food, we’d love to hear from you.
Brand Manager employer: Sofina Foods
Sofina Foods is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cookstown where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Brand Manager, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of one of Northern Ireland's most iconic food brands while benefiting from a culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a commitment to sustainability and quality, Sofina provides a platform for you to make a meaningful impact in the food industry, backed by a team of passionate professionals dedicated to excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Brand Manager
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Sofina Foods and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Sofina Foods are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Sofina Foods on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Sofina Foods. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Brand Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Sofina Foods. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Sofina Foods:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Sofina Foods’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sofina Foods
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Sofina Foods will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Sofina Foods, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
