Brand Manager

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itsu is the healthy eating, Asian inspired quick service retail & grocery brand with over 70 stores in the UK and a leading grocery business across Europe and beyond. Renowned for its best-in-class food made fresh in every shop every day, itsu has huge global ambitions with a commitment to continue to open many more stores and intensify the growth of its already thriving grocery arm. With its best-in-class healthy food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.

itsu [ grocery ] , which this role falls under, takes the itsu brand into supermarkets, health food stores, online, wholesale and internationally with products such as crispy seaweed thins, frozen gyoza & bao, brilliant'broth, rice'noodles & miso'easy to name a few...

D&I statement:

itsu [ grocery ] is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation. We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply for all of our opportunities.

When applying for a role with us, please remove your: full name, name of University/School, address, email address and any photos of you on your CV and covering letter. non-anonymised CVs may not be reviewed.

the ideal candidate:

• has a minimum of 2 years in FMCG marketing, trade/shopper marketing or category management.
• is ambitious, intelligent, hard-working, a fast learner and a self-starter with a can-do attitude
• is very organised
• has strong communication skills & is a confident presenter
• is analytical, proficient on Excel and has experience conducting and analysing market data
• is commercial
• is passionate about itsu and our products & want to grow with the company
• is a team player

the role :

This role manages trade/retail marketing and buyer engagement for itsu [ grocery ] 's ranges. The role works closely with the sales team to bring the itsu brand to life in store and online.

responsibilities:

• Buyer sell-ins: with the category team, write the NPD [new product development] presentations and attend and present at 1. Internal sell-in meetings to the sales team 2. At external buyer meetings.
• Trade/retail marketing activity: manage all trade marketing activity in store and online across Grocery Multiples, Wholesale, High Street and Convenience, in line with allocated budget [set by the Marketing Controller]. Conduct ongoing performance reviews and make recommendations for optimisation and improvement. Manage marketing-related field sales initiatives, working with the Marketing Executive who will implement.
• Buyer engagement: manage & plan all buyer engagement [samples, food safaris, trade shows and head office sampling]. Work closely with the Marketing Executive to help execute.
• Trade PR: manage & plan all LinkedIn, Grocer [trade magazine] and industry award activity. Work closely with the Marketing Executive to help execute.
• Business reporting & consumer insight: stay on top of industry news [ with a particular focus on marketing/trade marketing and consumer behaviour]. Support Marketing Controller on consumer insight & strategic projects when required.
• Budget Management: Manage the trade marketing, buyer engagement & market research budget, reporting on spend to the management team monthly.

what we offer:

• competitive salary
• competitive bonus scheme
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (2 bank holidays are interchangeable for other religious holidays)
• health insurance
• company pension scheme
• hybrid working (2 days wfh)
• opportunity to work from home abroad
• 50% employee discount in itsu shops
• free itsu lunch
• discounts at major retailers
• a sizeable training budget to support your ongoing development