Interim Senior Brand Manager, Breakfast International Expansion

Senior Brand Manager - Breakfast International Expansion

Based in St Albans/Hybrid WFH

6 Month FTC

Your Mission - To take the lead in building a commercially viable launch plan of ready-to-eat Porridge Pots into International markets, with first focus on US, Canada & Australia.

• Premier Foods is a leading UK Grocery player with strong momentum and ambitious plans to accelerate Internationally.
• Over the past 5 years we turned around our core business, became a FTSE 250 business and surpassed £1Bn in revenue.
• Expanding our footprint beyond our core categories is a critical part of our growth plan for the next 5 years and beyond.
• We have recently taken our Ambrosia brand into the Breakfast sector with the launch of our ready-to-eat Porridge pots.
• These are off to a strong start in the UK; given their unique proposition, we see potential to roll out to other markets.
• In particular, we see an opportunity play in International markets where Premier Foods has some existing presence, such as the US, Australia and Canada.
• Our plans for building Premier’s presence in the breakfast occasion extend beyond one brand & product; there are other ideas in the pipeline which could form part of our International growth agenda in the near future.

• This role will take the lead in building a commercial viable launch plan of ready-to-eat Porridge Pots into International markets, with first focus on US, Canada & Australia. In doing this, you will draw on the existing Ambrosia ready-to-eat porridge proposition developed for the UK, but with flexibility to adapt key aspects of the execution to ensure “fit to win” for the needs of the local market.
• You will review the potential wider role for our brands and upcoming Breakfast NPD pipeline in International markets.
• You will report to the Global Marketing Director (UK-based), while also developing a robust network of internal/external stakeholders within the Premier Foods International Team, to develop strong plans for launch.

• Over the first 6-9 months the focus will be: 1) leading a learning plan for key markets to identify what’s needed for Premier Foods to win in the Breakfast-to-Go sector; 2) fine tuning our product proposition to be suited for those key markets (scope could include product, variants, packaging, branding, etc.).

• You will then deliver an in-market test of a “minimum viable product” (MVP) in at least one key market, targeting the first half of CY24, after which you will consolidate key learnings & optimize for a more formal market rollout.

• The role will then evolve to lead development and execution of more detailed market launch plans, while at the same time continuing to scope further opportunities to grow Premier Foods’ Global footprint in the Breakfast sector.

• The role will involve a high level of ownership as Premier Foods’ “International expert” for the Breakfast sector, making recommendations back to senior stakeholders in the business and building plans for implementation.

• The right candidate will be an ambitious, entrepreneurial leader, with a track record delivering results in local markets and ideally also developing launch plans for multiple markets within a regional/global structure (with preference for some US experience). You will be a highly capable strategic thinker, adept at influencing a senior leadership team to make critical decisions. You will be comfortable analysing and deriving insights from different sources of consumer and retail insight and navigating ambiguity where you don’t have all the data. You will operate with a high level of pace and accountability, navigating the dynamics of working in a UK-based head office with a role focused on non-UK markets (and time zones!).

Do you offer.....

• Experience working in an FMCG business, including time in an international/matrix structure. Some US experience preferred.

• Proven ability to work cross-functionally, across geographies, leading projects to successful in-market results.

• Broad experience of brand management disciplines, including local market delivery and NPD/EPD development.

• Experience developing plans for market rollout, ideally with some experience working in a global/regional team.

• Strong bias for action and high degree of personal accountability, with strong virtual working and influencing skills.

• Strategic thinking, someone who is focused on the consumer and places them at the core of everything that they do.

• Commercial and analytical skills above the norm; comfortable building data-based business cases to enable decision making.

• Entrepreneurial mindset – doesn’t accept the status quo and looks for different, better ways of doing things.
• Will need to be flexible to manage regular communication and interaction with different time zones (i.e. early/late calls to USA, Canada and Australia). While travel will not be extensive some degree of flexibility to travel to these markets will be needed.

As Senior Brand Manager on Breakfast International Expansion you will.....

• Take accountability for scoping the opportunity and designing a launch plan for Premier Foods into Breakfast in at least one international market; starting with the Ready-to-Eat Porridge pots proposition, with focus on US, Canada & Australia.

• Work closely with Insights and local market teams to understand the consumer & retailer landscape; work with R&D and manufacturing teams to tailor product, packaging and other aspects of the proposition for target markets.

• Lead key management reviews at each stage of the journey – from initial scoping, through test-market launch, through to final plans for full market rollout.

• Be Premier’s “International expert” for the Breakfast sector, bringing relevant external insight to the table and combining this with a deep understanding of Premier Foods capabilities, brands and innovation pipeline.

• Develop strong connections cross-functionally within the business – in particular with Insights, local market teams, the wider UK Desserts & Expansion team, Innovation, R&D and Manufacturing teams, and 3rd parties as required.

What we offer you in return...?

• Competitive salary
• Car Allowance
• Bonus
• Up to 7.5% pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Wide range of online and in-house training
• Access to an employee discount scheme, with access to hundreds of nationwide retailers

Ready to apply...?

Click apply, submitting an up-to-date CV tailored to this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you.

A great British food company 

Premier Foods is one of Britain’s biggest listed food companies, employing over 4,000 colleagues at 15 manufacturing sites and offices up and down the country.

Many of our brands have been part of UK life for more than a century and you’ll find them in 94% of British households.

At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.