Senior Brand Manager

Pursuit Recruitment Ltd; Brentwood; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Brentwood is seeking a Senior Brand Manager. This role involves full ownership of an ambient food product portfolio, strategic brand planning, and cross-functional collaboration. Ideal candidates will have proven FMCG brand management experience, analytical skills, and a passion for food. The position offers a competitive salary and hybrid work model with significant benefits including annual leave and employee assistance programs.

Benefits

Annual holiday allowance of 25 days

Pension with company contribution

Free daily lunches on site

Heavily subsidised sports events

Qualifications

• Proven experience in brand management within FMCG consumables.
• Strong analytical and data analysis capabilities.
• Understanding of commercial context and full marketing mix.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of product portfolio, developing marketing plans.
• Leading consumer insights and research.
• Managing packaging development and budget.

Skills

Brand management experience

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication skills

Creative mindset

Education

Degree qualification to 2:1 standard or equivalent

Job description

Senior Brand Manager – Ambient Food Products

Location: Brentwood (Hybrid / Office-based 3 days per week – car driver essential)

Salary: Competitive + Benefits

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for food, ready to take ownership of a major ambient food portfolio with a leading UK food manufacturers?

We’ve partnered with an established, premium food business operating in over 40 countries worldwide, with ambitious expansion plans and an exciting innovation pipeline. With a portfolio worth over £100m at RSP in the UK market alone, this is a rare opportunity to join a trusted category leader at a time of significant growth and development.

The Role

This is a truly end-to-end brand management position where you’ll take full ownership of a large and growing portfolio of ambient products. From initial data analysis and consumer insights right through to final execution and evaluation, you’ll lead every stage of the marketing mix.

You’ll work both independently and collaboratively across cross-functional teams within the business, managing the complete 4Ps (product, price, place, promotion) for your portfolio. This role combines strategic brand planning with hands‑on project delivery, offering the perfect platform for someone who wants to see their initiatives through from concept to market impact.

Working closely with digital, innovation, technical, and commercial teams, you’ll develop and implement integrated marketing plans that drive growth and strengthen brand positioning. You’ll also have the opportunity to shape brand direction with senior stakeholders and manage external agency partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Full ownership of the product portfolio – developing marketing plans through to implementation and evaluation
• Leading consumer insights and research to drive range optimisation and innovation
• Managing packaging development in alignment with technical teams
• Budget management and financial accountability
• Regular performance reporting and KPI tracking to senior leadership
• Developing and executing impactful integrated campaigns across channels
• Strategic planning and pro‑active management of the full marketing mix

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Proven experience in brand management within FMCG consumables (B2C environment)
• Strong analytical and data analysis capabilities (Circana/Kantar/YouGov or similar)
• Understanding of commercial context and full marketing mix
• Creative mindset with the ability to translate insights into actionable strategies
• Excellent project management skills with ability to work independently
• Degree qualification to 2:1 standard or equivalent
• Genuine passion for food and consumer trends

Highly Desirable:

• Experience within the food industry
• CIM, marketing qualification or MBA

Personal Attributes:

• Entrepreneurial “can do” attitude with drive to deliver results
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Team player able to work with diverse teams across locations
• Flexible and adaptable to changing business environments
• Hands‑on approach with ability to manage projects end-to‑end

What’s On Offer

• The opportunity to take genuine ownership of a significant, growing portfolio
• Work with a premium brand and trusted market leader
• Be part of an ambitious, multi‑cultural business with global reach
• Involvement in exciting innovation and new product development
• Supportive team environment with access to senior leadership
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Office‑based role (3 days per week) in Brentwood.

If you’re looking for a senior brand role where you can combine analytical rigour with creativity, work autonomously while collaborating across functions, and genuinely influence the strategic direction of major food brands, please apply.

Benefits

• Annual holiday allowance 25 days. After 4 years completed service, it will increase to 26 days and after 5 years completed service it will increase to 28 days.
• Employees will be given the opportunity to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday per holiday.
• Length of service recognition awards.
• Pension: Group personal pension, company contribution of 4%.
• Life Cover: 3 × your salary in the event of your death to your nominated beneficiary.
• Occupational maternity pay plus SMP.
• Accident Cover: Disability compensation Payment.
• Medicash Cash Plan: Paid Individual Cover or Family. Employee has the option to increase the benefit.
• Employee Star Award.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Lunches: Free every day on site (equates to value of £700).
• Free drinks available all day on site.
• Quarterly Staff Samples.
• Staff shop.
• Heavily subsidised sports and social events.
• Annual company BBQ.
• Annual flu vaccination voucher