Market Strategy & Planning Manager

STADA; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Annual bonus

Pension scheme

EV charging

Wellbeing support

Enhanced Family Leave

Job summary

STADA UK Thornton & Ross in Reading is seeking an experienced MS&P Manager to translate brand, shopper and category insights into customer-ready plans that drive growth. You will work cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Category and Finance to deliver launches with excellence through a true Power of 1 approach.

From developing activation plans to defining distribution priorities, you will shape shopper-led strategies, anchor plans in insight and monitor KPIs.

Qualifications

• Degree in Marketing/Business or related field, preferred.
• 5–7 years in FMCG/CHC/OTC or branded consumer goods.
• Experience in MS&P, Customer Strategy & Planning, Shopper Marketing or Category Management.
• Strong understanding of distribution, pricing, promotions and in-store execution.
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Translate brand plans into customer-facing activation plans across product, price, promotion and place.
• Develop retailer-ready selling stories for priority brands and NPD.
• Anchor plans in shopper insight, category opportunities and retailer priorities.
• Define launch toolkits, distribution targets, POS requirements and promo plans.
• Define and monitor launch KPIs by customer including distribution, availability and visibility.
• Capture feedback and in-market learnings for future launches.
• Define distribution priorities by brand/SKU and monitor risks with Sales/Marketing.
• Lead promo ROI reviews and translate insights into investment decisions.
• Define best-in-class in-store execution standards and develop POS/toolkits.

Skills

MS&P

Customer Strategy

Shopper Marketing

Category Management

Distribution & Pricing

Promotions

In-store Execution

PowerPoint

Stakeholder Management

Cross-functional Influence

Education

Marketing/Business degree

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

STADA UK Thornton & Ross is on an exciting growth journey with more than 700 employees being fully committed to our purpose of Caring for People’s Health as a Trusted Partner. Together we are shaping the future of Thornton & Ross by living our values of Integrity, Entrepreneurship, Agility and One STADA. If you want to work in an open culture where your uniqueness is valued, join our Insight Team.

STADA UK Thornton & Ross – MS&P Manager

Reading |U.K.| Full-time | Permanent

Role Purpose

STADA UK is strengthening its Consumer Healthcare (CHC) commercial organisation by creating a more integrated approach to brand strategy, customer planning and in-market execution.

As our MS&P Manager, you will bring our commercial strategy to life by translating brand, shopper and category insights into customer-ready plans that drive sustainable growth. Working cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Category, Finance and Supply, you will ensure priority brands, product launches and retailer opportunities are executed with excellence through a true “Power of 1” approach. From developing shopper-led activation plans to driving launch excellence and best-in-class in-store execution, you will play a key role in delivering commercial success across our portfolio.

How You Will Make Impact:

Customer & Shopper Activation

• Translate brand plans into customer-facing activation plans across product, price, promotion and place.
• Develop retailer-ready selling stories for priority brands, NPD and commercial initiatives.
• Anchor plans in shopper insight, category opportunities and retailer priorities.
• Translate innovation strategy into launch toolkits, distribution targets, POS requirements and promo plans.
• Define and monitor launch KPIs by customer including distribution, availability, visibility, feature space and execution.
• Capture customer feedback and in-market learnings to continuously improve future launches.

Distribution, Availability & Retailer Priorities

• Define distribution priorities by brand, SKU and customer, aligned to growth and profitability objectives.
• Monitor R&Os with Sales and Marketing, developing action plan to address gaps.
• Support cross-functional prioritisation when out-of-stock issues or supply constraints impact customers.
• Develop brand/customer promo guidelines, covering promotional depth, frequency, mechanics and timing.
• Lead promo ROI reviews with Sales and Finance, translating insights into improved investment decisions.
• Support pricing flow and ensure activity is consistent with brand positioning and commercial goals.

In-Store Excellence & Perfect Store

• Define best-in-class in-store execution standards, including range, shelf presence, visibility, POS, secondary displays and feature space.
• Develop POS and shopper activation toolkits that support brand plans and launch priorities.
• Monitor execution standards and recommend corrective action where performance is off plan.

Power of 1 Commercial Planning

• Lead the MS&P drumbeat through Commercial Alignment Meetings and launch readiness reviews.
• Equip Sales teams with clear deployment materials, objection handling tools and clear customer priorities.
• Partner with closely with Marketing, Sales, Category, Finance and Demand Planning to maximize success of the category & brand performance.

What We Are Looking For:

We're looking for a commercially minded MS&P professional who understands how to bridge the gap between brand strategy and retail execution.

You are passionate about shopper-led thinking and know how to transform marketing plans into compelling customer propositions that drive growth. Comfortable influencing cross-functional teams, you thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy bringing structure, pace and commercial focus to complex projects.

You'll combine strong analytical thinking with excellent stakeholder management, enabling you to influence without direct authority and build alignment across Marketing, Sales and other commercial functions. Above all, you're someone who enjoys turning strategy into action and delivering measurable results in the market.

You will bring:

• A degree in Marketing, Business, Communications or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience, is preferred
• Approximately 5–7 years' experience within FMCG, Consumer Healthcare (CHC), OTC, Personal Care or branded consumer goods.
• Experience in MS&P, Customer Strategy & Planning, Shopper Marketing or Category Management.
• Strong commercial understanding of distribution, pricing, promotions, shopper activation and in-store execution.
• Excellent presentation skills with the ability to create compelling PowerPoint materials for both customers and internal stakeholders.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Analytical, pragmatic and action-oriented, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced commercial environment.

How We Care For You

At Thornton & Ross our purpose “Caring for people’s health as a trusted partner” motivates us every day. And what would be a better place than starting with our own employees. Which is why we give much in return:

Competitive salary and annual bonus scheme.

Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme offering 8% employer contribution rates.

Hybrid working – we spend three days of your choice in the office, with the remaining days working at home.

25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays with the potential to buy up to 5 additional days.

Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme and KYAN Wellbeing – offering free coaching and counselling services for you and your family.

Electric Car Scheme through Octopus Energy, plus free on-site EV charging.

Enhanced Family Leave.

Plus, many more employee benefits & celebration events.

STADA Group values and promotes its diverse culture, regardless of gender, age, social or ethnic origin, disabilities, religion, ideology, or sexual orientation. We use the strength of our uniqueness to develop creative ideas, expand our experience and increase innovative strength. Our focus is on equal opportunities, respectful cooperation, and the promotion of an inclusive working environment. We are looking forward to your application and welcome applications without a pharmaceutical background.