We’ve got an exciting opportunity to join our UKP Commercial team within Nichols plc, the home of Vimto, as our Market, Strategy & Planning Controller (MS&P). This is a new role within the UKP leadership team and will act as the “strategic glue” collaborating and connecting with Marketing (Category & Consumer) and Operational teams in the business to provide and support the effective delivery of a fully aligned unified customer proposition for the route to market.
Our MS&P Controller is a highly visible strategic, commercial leadership role working closely with the UKP Commercial Director and Marketing leadership team to develop and deliver the 3-year rolling UKP route to market strategy, drive incremental revenue & volume/value growth across a multi-channel customer base. If you are passionate about truly being the voice of trading/customer marketplace, channels and customers then this could be the perfect role for you.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
As our M&SP Controller, you will build the annual and 3 year rolling commercial strategy working closely with the Business Unit Controllers and Brand Controllers. You will be responsible for the development and management of the long-term channel strategies (including both existing and importantly identification of new customers/channels) within the RTM and the strategic decision maker of the commercialisation of the product and brand plans. In addition, you will assume responsibility for leading three core functional areas in UKP; Category, RGM and Shopper Marketing.
You will be responsible for ensuring that the brand strategy is translated into meaningful commercial opportunity and importantly supported with excellent operational execution of the plan through both commercial and operational connections. Collaboration excellence is at the heart of this role and key to success will be the ability to influence (positive change agent), gain commitment and guide implementation of marketing plans to ensure delivery of expected results.
You will be comfortable and thrive in working across multiple functions internally (and externally as required) as the role requires strength and conviction to ensure that the UKP Commercial growth agenda is and remains central to delivery of the broader Group commercial delivery.
Consumer and customer are at the heart of our Group strategy and this role will require development of compelling and targeted messaging that puts customer first (Love the Customer) and ensures that we have strategies that deliver against their business needs whilst ensuring we build and deliver long-term sustainable growth for our business. Development, in conjunction with the teams (Commercial, Category and Brand) of compelling and insight-based propositions to drive growth (with the right P&L shape) and to enhance overall perceptions of the Nichols business that customers believe in, is essential.
WHAT YOU’LL DO IN THE ROLE
* Development and ownership of annual and long-term (3 year) channel strategies for the route to market.
* Establish MS&P as a function within the Nichols business and create a clear vision and leadership for the role ensuring the discipline and fully embedded into our ways of working across the UKP team as a whole.
* Solidify relationships to support and accelerate channel and customer account growth to deliver the UKP route to market strategy leveraging opportunities to grow volume, revenue, value and distribution utilising:
- Relationship management.
- Strategic insights
- Category Strategy Drivers
- Revenue growth management & PPPA strategies
- Shopper marketing strategies
* Responsibility for delivery of the 3 year channel strategies
* Lead the MS&P team to deliver:
- Long term channel strategies
- Category strategy targeted planning and implementation across the channels
- Fully integrated account specific omni channel shopper marketing activation plans with consideration to key customer events & promotions and evaluating ROI & performance
- Working with RGM lead to ensure that robust PPPA strategies are in place (and adjusted as necessary for the channels) with consideration to cross channel impact, proactive channel portfolio management and ownership/adherence to the commercial price file.
- A high performing agile team with a passion for exceeding expectations underpinned by a strong talent pipeline driven by active development plans and role stretch.
* Building exceptional relationships with Marketing Brand Controllers to ensure the rolling 3-year staircase remains “fit for purpose” and aligned to delivering the UKP RTM strategic ambition (and customer strategies) against internal and external measures or else leading and delivering alternate solutions to ensure corrective actions are taken.
* Build effective cross-functional relationships and ensure adherence to processes to unlock value for the customer including but not limited to; marketing, supply chain and procurement.
* Lead strategic projects (business wide & functional) and be an active member of the Operational Leadership Group
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
* Advanced commercial acumen
* Robust analytical skills, commercially savvy and solution focused to problem solving
* Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
* Visible leadership skills to develop high performing teams
* Solid understanding of S&OP and IBP
* Knowledge of UK soft drinks market including category, product ingredients, packaging and portfolio knowledge & benefits (desirable not essential)
* Extensive knowledge of Revenue Growth Management, PPPA strategies & omni channel shopper marketing strategies
* Extensive knowledge of category data and strategy development and application
* Understanding of ESG strategies within an FMCG environment
* Strong IT skills including all MS Office applications
ABOUT YOU:
You’ll be…
o a strategic and practical thinker with the ability to both ‘think and do’
o a visible and authentic leader, open, honest and approachable
o an exceptional leader with strong collaboration and communication skills, coupled with an analytical mindset for data-driven decision-making
o passionate about developing your team with proven experience of creating and managing a high performance team
o dynamic, positive, highly motivated with a personal growth mindset, passionate about developing others
o agile in approach with the ability to think creatively and laterally to ensure that we challenge convention and explore alternate solutions to really create a point of difference in the marketplace.
o empathetic and love to engage and bring others on the journey to ensure internal “buy in” for what MS&P can do for both customer and overall business.
You’ll have…
o natural curiosity to make life taste better for others
o operated at Controller or Head of level within an FMCG business
o proven success in leading and managing business goals and strategies, showcasing strong strategic planning and execution capabilities
o a demonstrated track record of driving revenue growth, achieving commercial objectives and designing and implementing strategic plans
o an ability to build and maintain strategic business relationships internally and externally
o financial acumen with a track record of managing budgets and driving financial performance.
ABOUT US:
There is no other business quite like ours, we think this is a special place to work, even if we do say so ourselves! That means an opportunity like this is not to be missed.
We have been making life taste better since 1908. As well as our refreshingly different Vimto taste, our varied brand portfolio spans the still, carbonated, post-mix, and frozen drinks categories – so you will find us in your local supermarket, pub and leisure outlet. We also work with the UK’s leading food manufacturers to provide a truly unique range of products everyone loves.
At the heart of everything is our rich family heritage, an unrelenting ambition to keep innovating, and a true pride in who we are.
We have an agile approach to working. Whilst you’ll have a desk in the office, if you prefer to work from home some of the time, you can. You’ll work in the office a minimum of two days a week with additional days based on business requirements. Our core hours approach allows you to balance your work and home life.
As a valued member of the team, in any role within the business you will be entitled to the following - these are just some of the benefits
- 25 days holiday (with opportunity to buy extra every year)
- Private medical cover
- Your birthday off work
- 1 day a year off work to volunteer in the community (you choose)
- A generous pension scheme
- Annual Bonus
It is our team of talented people that make us. We are actively looking for difference and we are working hard to make sure all our practices are inclusive. Join us and #findyourdifferent
Any job offer is subject to an individual’s Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visas.