Marketing Manager in Ilford

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Marketing Manager to lead and elevate our marketing function. This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who can balance strategic direction with day-to-day delivery, bringing structure, pace, and commercial impact to all marketing activity.

The successful candidate will own the marketing strategy, lead a compact creative team, deliver high-quality trade marketing and sales enablement, and take full responsibility for exhibitions, digital presence, and content output. You will work closely with Sales, NPD, and wider commercial teams to ensure marketing drives revenue, strengthens our brand, and supports growth across all trade channels including wholesale, distributors, foodservice, independent manufacturers, and mobile/retail routes.

This role offers a high level of visibility, influence, and long-term impact within the business and across the Nic Group.

Purpose of the Role

• Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing and trade marketing strategy aligned to commercial objectives, category trends, and key trade channels.
• Elevate brand awareness and strengthen our position in the UK ice cream and foodservice industry.
• Provide exceptional sales support through tools, content, collateral, and trade activations that drive customer engagement and revenue.
• Lead and coach a small creative team to deliver high-quality, fast-turnaround content that is accurate, commercially aligned, and consistently on brand.
• Ensure marketing activity is insight-driven, well governed, and delivers measurable commercial value.

Key Responsibilities

• Marketing Strategy & Direction
  • Develop, own, and deliver a comprehensive marketing strategy aligned with business and commercial objectives.
  • Create clear plans and priorities to drive brand awareness, lead generation, and revenue support.
  • Continuously review performance and refine strategy to ensure marketing is moving the business forward.
• Hands-On Marketing Execution
  • Remain actively involved in campaign planning and delivery across digital, print, content, and social media.
  • Ensure high standards, consistency, and quality across all marketing materials and channels.
• Team Leadership & Management
  • Directly manage and mentor in-house Graphic Designers and the Social Media Executive.
  • Provide clear briefs, direction, and feedback to ensure creative and social output meets commercial and brand objectives.
  • Build a structured, collaborative, and high-performing marketing team environment.
• Social Media Oversight
  • Oversee social media strategy and ensure it aligns with wider marketing and commercial goals.
  • Guide content planning, tone of voice, and platform usage, using insight and data to drive improvement.
• Commercial Collaboration
  • Work closely with commercial and sales teams, acting as a trusted marketing partner.
  • Confidently influence and guide marketing, design, and campaign decisions to support revenue growth.
  • Translate commercial requirements into clear, effective marketing activity.
  • Create and deliver engaging presentations that support commercial activity and effectively inspire customers.
• Exhibitions & Trade Shows
  • Take full ownership of exhibitions and trade shows from initial planning through to on-site delivery.
  • Manage budgets, suppliers, logistics, stand design, timelines, and execution.
  • Ensure all events are professionally delivered, well organised, and aligned with brand and commercial objectives.
• Budget Management & Governance
  • Own and manage the full marketing and trade marketing budget.
  • Ensure strong brand governance and accurate, right-first-time artwork processes to reduce reprints and errors.

About You

• Proven experience in a Marketing Manager or similar senior marketing role.
• Demonstrable experience managing designers and social media or digital marketing professionals.
• Strong strategic marketing capability combined with a practical, hands-on approach.
• Confident working with commercial and sales teams, with the ability to influence and guide decisions.
• You are a confident and inspiring presenter who can build compelling presentations that support commercial activity, engaging customers with clarity, credibility, and impact.
• Experience planning and delivering exhibitions and trade shows.
• Highly organised, commercially minded, and comfortable taking ownership and accountability.

What We Offer

• A senior, visible role with real influence across the business.
• The opportunity to shape and lead marketing strategy rather than inherit a rigid framework.
• A hands-on role with scope to make a measurable impact.
• The opportunity to grow within the Orkla Group, collaborating with colleagues across multiple sister companies within Orkla Food Ingredients.