At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial planning and activation strategies for the UK & Ireland market.
- Company: Join a dynamic FMCG company focused on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Ideal for those with a strong entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for driving results.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on brand growth and shopper engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG sales, commercial planning, and trade marketing required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This is a high-impact, commercially critical role at the heart of the UK & Ireland business. The role leads the development and execution of a commercial planning & activation strategy for the UK & Ireland, translating brand ambition into profitable, insight-led growth plans across channels and customers. The successful candidate will own the end-to-end commercial planning cycle, including annual and in-year planning, promotion strategy, trade investment optimization, and performance tracking, while ensuring best-in-class shopper and activation execution. As a central role within the commercial organisation, this position requires an individual with strong commercial acumen, analytical rigour, entrepreneurial mindset and cross-functional leadership to balance strategic planning with executional excellence.
Commercial Planning & Execution:
- Partner Sales & Finance to drive forecasting, scenario planning and trade-off decisions across the All Year Round & Seasonal product range
- Define and optimise promotional strategy & trade investment (TP/DME)
- Drive ROI, effectiveness and post-event analysis
- Lead SRGM / pricing & promotional levers
- Act as central commercial lead for seasonal portfolio size of prizes & innovation size of prizes
- Act as central commercial lead for cross functional teams to achieve the commercial KPIs by Channel (ICS, EPOS and Distribution)
Trade Marketing Activation & Shopper Strategy:
- Translate commercial plans into compelling in-store / omnichannel execution
- Deliver best-in-class activation strategies across channels
- Improve conversion, in-market execution effectiveness and commercial return
- Portfolio Strategy by Channel & Customer
- Loyalty program development for Key Retailers (Nectar, Dunnhumby, etc.)
- Path to purchase analysis and key Shopper Drivers by Channel
- In store merchandising and communication strategy
Own commercial inputs in the Annual, quarterly and monthly planning process for the UK business:
- IBM Process – Over-seeing short and long term R&Os focused on ICS and EPOS targets
- Report & present on Innovation performance, Distribution, Rate of Sale in monthly cross-functional business reviews
- Lead co-ordinator on KPIs reviewed during business reviews
Commercial budget management (DME-TP) by channel, maximizing resources to deliver both the Top and Bottom line KPI´s.
Key interface with UK distributor’s category & activation team executing plans.
Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:
- A strong commercial mindset with relevant experience in confectionery or fast‑moving consumer goods, underpinned by a clear value and growth orientation
- An entrepreneurial and autonomous approach, balanced with a collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively across functions
- A strong results focus, with a proven track record of delivering against commercial and strategic objectives
- An innovative, forward‑looking mindset, with the ability to challenge convention and identify disruptive growth opportunities
- The capability to operate successfully within a complex, large‑scale corporate environment, demonstrating sound judgment and accountability
- Proven ability to build alignment and consensus at all levels of the organisation, including peers, senior leaders and direct teams
- A continuous improvement mentality, proactively identifying opportunities, encouraging new ways of thinking and driving positive change
- Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with a demonstrated ability to build long‑term, effective relationships with key decision makers that deliver mutual value
- Solid experience in budget ownership, trade investment management and disciplined commercial planning and execution
Education:
Individual must know and understand current trade trends, market conditions and sales enablers through continued education and training. Bachelor Degree is a must.
Experience:
- FMCG sales experience including selling, negotiating and leveraging insights to deliver tailored customer plans that achieve both company and customer objectives
- Experience in Commercial Planning, Trade Marketing or Revenue Growth Management (RGM) with proven ability to develop and execute shopper‑centric activations, promotional and in‑store activation strategies across multiple channels
- Experience managing complex, multi‑format customers and channels within the UK retail landscape, with an understanding of both traditional grocery and eCommerce / omni‑channel environments
- Demonstrated experience in trade investment management, SRGM, commercial modelling and scenario planning to support profitable growth
- Strong understanding of category management & distribution strategy
- Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and influence senior stakeholders, both internally and externally, in a complex, matrixed FMCG organisation
Commercial Planning & Activation Senior Manager in London employer: The Hershey Company
As a leading player in the FMCG sector, our company offers an exceptional work environment in London, where innovation and collaboration thrive. We prioritise employee growth through continuous training and development opportunities, ensuring that our team members are equipped to excel in their roles. With a strong focus on commercial success and a culture that values creativity and strategic thinking, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a dynamic and supportive workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Planning & Activation Senior Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their commercial strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you mean business!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role. Use specific examples that highlight your commercial acumen and strategic thinking – this is your time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Planning & Activation Senior Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in commercial planning and activation. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical rigour, include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can turn insights into action, so let us know how you’ve done that!
Be Authentic:We’re looking for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset, so don’t be afraid to show your personality! Share your unique approach to challenges and how you’ve driven results in a collaborative environment.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Hershey Company
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you come prepared with key metrics and examples from your past experiences. This role is all about commercial planning and activation, so being able to discuss ROI, trade investment optimisation, and performance tracking will show that you understand the financial side of the business.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Be ready to discuss how you've developed and executed successful commercial strategies in the past. Highlight your experience with promotional strategies and how you've translated brand ambitions into actionable plans. This will demonstrate your ability to think strategically while executing effectively.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Leadership
This role requires collaboration across various teams. Prepare examples of how you've led cross-functional projects or initiatives. Talk about how you built alignment and consensus among different stakeholders, as this will be crucial for success in the position.
✨Stay Current with Market Trends
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the FMCG sector, especially within confectionery. Being able to discuss current market conditions and how they impact commercial planning will show that you're proactive and knowledgeable, which is essential for this role.
