Assistant Activation Manager

Inspired Pet Nutrition; Thirsk; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pet food manufacturer located in Thirsk is seeking a marketing professional to support brand growth and execution of strategic initiatives. In this role, you will engage with sales, marketing, and retail partners, ensuring product visibility and executing impactful media and consumer events. The ideal candidate has a degree in business, FMCG experience, and strong organizational and communication skills. This position offers flexible benefits, including the ability to bring your dog to work and discounted pet food.

Benefits

Free parking

Bring your dog to work

Discounted products

Free hot drinks

Flexible Benefits: Cycle to work

Workplace nurseries

Dental insurance

Staff Discount: Heavily discounted pet food

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar marketing or FMCG brand role is essential.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and be a collaborative team player.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of brand portfolio sales and profit targets.
• Translate brand strategies into actionable sales plans.
• Engage retail partners for execution of growth plans.
• Execute media plans and consumer events to boost brand awareness.
• Manage a pipeline of new and renovated products.
• Support marketing admin tasks like artwork sign-off.

Skills

Creativity

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Project management

Numeracy

Attention to detail

Education

Degree with postgraduate business understanding

Job description

Based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire or Crick, Northamptonshire, this role will support the execution of brand growth plans that deliver our business vision. You'll work closely with sales, marketing, and retail partners to ensure our brands are easy to find, easy to shop, and impossible to ignore. From launching new products to delivering standout activations, this is a hands-on role with real impact.

Responsibilities:

1. Deliver Results - Support delivery of in-year brand portfolio sales and profit targets.
2. Brand Plan Execution - Translate brand strategies into actionable sales and retailer execution plans, ensuring strong in-store and online presence.
3. Retail Engagement - Work with retail partners to secure execution of growth plans, providing toolkits, imagery, and trade media assets.
4. Media & Events - Execute media plans and consumer events that increase brand awareness, engagement, and ROI.
5. Innovation - Manage a pipeline of new and renovated products that drive growth, margin, and relevance.
6. Team Support - Lead A&P tracking processes and support marketing admin tasks such as artwork sign-off, competitor checks, and Brandbank updates.

We're looking for a creative and commercially minded individual to help bring our brands to life in-store and online, driving shopper engagement and delivering profitable growth. The ideal candidate will have a degree with postgraduate business understanding, experience in a similar marketing or FMCG brand role, and strong organisational, communication, and project management skills. Good numeracy, literacy, and attention to detail are essential. Resilient, proactive, and a collaborative team player, you will thrive in this dynamic environment.

About IPN:

IPN is an innovative, well-established, and award-winning pet food manufacturer, employing over 850 people across our UK manufacturing sites. Our family of brands includes Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butchers, Classic Cat, and a selection of partner brands. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel, and Crick produce dry, wet, and baked foods enjoyed by dogs and cats worldwide.

Perks & Benefits:

• Free parking, bring your dog to work, discounted products, free hot drinks
• Flexible Benefits: Cycle to work, workplace nurseries, dental insurance
• Staff Discount: Heavily discounted pet food