Senior Brand Manager (AYR) – 12 mth FTC

A little bit about Lindt

We are a premium chocolate manufacturer established in 1845 operating in over 86 countries around the World. Guided by our Global purpose to Enchant the World with Chocolate and UK &Ireland vision of Creating Moments to Make Everyone Feel Special, we have around 500 team members in the UK & Ireland, across our Head Offices, Retail, and Field Sales divisions. We are proud of our incredible people, our unique values-led culture and our iconic market leading brands such as LINDOR & GOLD BUNNY.

We’re also proud of being one of the few bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the world, where we control every step of our chocolate production.

How you could help us to Enchant the World with Chocolate

We are now recruiting a Senior Brand Manager to join our Marketing Team as a 12-month Maternity cover.

As the Senior Brand Manager for our All-Year business, you will be responsible for leading some of Ireland biggest chocolate brands with a focus on our large bars and sharing portfolios with one direct intern report.

You will take responsibility for leading critical segments of our overall portfolio. You will be managing the brand development within the current portfolios, while also establishing a pipeline of future portfolio opportunities. You will be responsible for brand strategy and delivery, creative development, NPD processes, performance analysis and segment planning

Where you’ll be based

This role will be based in Sandyford, Dublin (Hybrid Working: in the office 60% and WFH 40%)

Key Responsibilities

Brand Strategy:

• Identify brand key issues, setting the strategic direction and leading work streams to grow the AYR business in the midterm.
• Lead detailed Y+2 plan development:
  • Lead NPD pipeline based on strong consumer insight, owning and managing complex project from ground up – innovation process optimisation, sourcing & liaising with factories and other markets, price & profitability, packaging & design
  • Communication & 360 multi touch points activation plan, strengthening brand equity, with consistency of messages throughout the different consumer touch points, and ensuring plans are profitable, competitive and in-line with the Ireland mid-term plan

Marketing Plans & Activation:

• Develop and implement the best possible execution of current year brand plans, with focus on delivery, clear measures for success, and post activity analysis (advertising, shopper & consumer promotion)  
• Manage the plans within brand budget
• Full A&P Budget accountability (advertising, shopper and consumer promotion)
• Deliver the roll out of in-year NPD (ensuring all are delivered to market on time, in full, meeting all requirements and aligned to brand guidelines)
• Day-to-day management of relevant agencies (media, design, sampling etc.)

Develop Consumer & Competitor Insight:

• Generate and understand marketing and competitive analysis as well as market research studies to identify consumer needs and new opportunities to unlock growth
• Support the strategy manager in relevant research projects with clear action standards

Ongoing business lead:

• Leading role in cross functional team working closely with sales, finance and category to monitor brand performance vs KPIs and recommend solutions to close gaps, ensuring delivery of brand P&L’s and forecast commitments
• Championing the brand to the Sales team, supporting with strong sell-in presentations and accompanying them to buyer meetings

• Ability to influence international marketing teams to help develop and prioritise NPD as well as communication suitable for the Irish market
• Champion Irish best practices to the International team through key international meetings

Line Management

• Lead, motivate, coach and develop one direct intern report setting clear priorities aligned to game plan objectives. Carry out regular IDPs and End of Year review

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Preferred

• Previous relevant brand experience, ideally within a recognised top tier FMCG company
• A growth mindset & willingness to take a more generalist ‘business’ approach to drive the business
• Ability to analyse & interpret multiple sources of information to understand business / provide insight that helps set direction for future growth
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills with the ability to network and establish productive business relationships cross functionally, inside, across and outside of the organisation
• Change agility: ability to evolve and drive change
• Proven ability to successfully utilise all elements of the marketing mix to drive the business, with previous experience of buying media and working closely with agencies
• Previous experience with full P&L responsibility required
• Strong record of complex project management
• Experience of new product development preferred but not essential
• Passion for LINDT

Being yourself every day

We want everyone at Lindt feel safe to be themselves, ensuring they are empowered, represented, celebrated and included in our workplace. You’ll notice this throughout the recruitment process; in our ‘dress for your day’ policy and through our proactive DE&I strategy.

Living our values everyday

At Lindt, our values guide us in everything we do. Being Passionately Lindt, Always Evolving, Building Real Relationships, Acting Responsibly and Making an Impact are an integral part of life here at Lindt.

What you can expect from us

In return for everything that you’ll bring, we can offer you an exciting role in a fast-growing organisation, where we’ll provide an environment where you will thrive, feel supported and fulfil your career aspirations. As well as supporting your physical and mental wellbeing, as part of our offering, you will receive a competitive compensation and benefits package including; competitive salary, bonus, pension, life cover, chocolate allowance; chocolate give-aways, chocolate discount, birthday day off and so much more  

Requirements