📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Brand Manager
🔹 Company: Valeo Foods
🔹 Location: Pontefract, Wakefield, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Food Production
🔹 Date Posted: May 4, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing brand strategies for a category group
- Leading initiatives within brand plans and ensuring budget compliance
- Collaborating cross-functionally and representing brands externally
- Analyzing and reporting on brand performance and consumer insights
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of marketing and brand management.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Deliver brand plans within a category group, covering both Valeo-owned and retailer-owned brands
✅ Lead initiatives within brand plans and ensure strong stewardship
✅ Prepare monthly reports on initiatives, adhering to board-level standards
✅ Contribute to building a 'Valeo Brand Building Framework' and ensure consistent use
✅ Lead quarterly updates on initiatives and contribute to annual strategy reviews
✅ Ensure marketing budget compliance and optimization (core marketing, ASOH, shopper marketing)
✅ Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
✅ Represent brands externally, particularly with retailers
✅ Oversee and inspire the 'Consumer is Boss' plan, maintaining regular consumer connections
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of autonomy and requires the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in brand management, with a proven track record of creating change and driving business results
Required Skills:
- Strong leadership and analytical thinking skills
- Ability to create and embrace change
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills
- Strong presentation skills, both written and verbal
- Proven experience in the full marketing mix, from insight generation to delivery and measurement
- Experience interacting with board-level stakeholders and collaborating with sales
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the food production industry
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in fast-paced, dynamic environments and a strong 'Personal Best' mindset will thrive in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £45,000 - £60,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for a Brand Manager with 5-10 years of experience in the UK)
Benefits:
- Excellent career opportunities
- Matched pension scheme up to 10%
- Death in service
- Cycle to work scheme
- Retailer discount platform
- Staff discount
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with flexibility as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Valeo Foods UK operates in the competitive food production industry, with a focus on branded consumer goods.
Company Size: With 1,001-5,000 employees, Valeo Foods UK offers a mid-sized company environment, providing ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Valeo Foods UK is a subsidiary of Valeo Foods Group, which was founded in 2010. The UK division has since grown to become a significant player in the British food market.
Company Description:
- Valeo Foods UK is home to an array of beloved brands, spanning indulgence, innovation, and tradition
- The company's portfolio includes iconic brands like Kettle Crisps, Rowse Honey, and Matthew Walker puddings
- Valeo Foods UK fosters a creative environment where passion meets flavour, crafting experiences that bring people together
Company Specialties:
- Brand management and marketing
- Product development and innovation
- Sales and distribution
- Consumer insights and market research
Company Website: www.valeofoods.co.uk
ASSUMPTION: Valeo Foods UK's diverse portfolio and commitment to quality make it an attractive employer for brand management professionals.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a mid-level management position, offering opportunities for growth and development within the organization.
Reporting Structure: The Brand Manager reports directly to the Category Director and oversees brand initiatives within their category group.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with a flexible work arrangement that may require occasional travel to meet with stakeholders or attend industry events.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Senior Brand Manager or Category Manager role
- Expansion into international markets or new product categories
- Development of leadership and mentoring skills through team management
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have a strong desire to grow within the organization and contribute to its continued success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Valeo Foods UK's Pontefract office is a modern, purpose-built facility that houses multiple departments and offers ample amenities.
Office Location(s): Ferrybridge Road, Pontefract, England, WF8 2JS
Geographic Context:
- Pontefract is a market town in West Yorkshire, with a population of approximately 30,000
- The town is situated near major transportation links, including the M62 motorway and Leeds Bradford Airport
- Pontefract offers a mix of urban and rural living, with easy access to nearby cities like Leeds and Bradford
Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday to Friday, with core hours of 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. However, flexibility is required to meet project deadlines and attend events.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in an on-site environment and be willing to adapt their work schedule as needed.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications
- Face-to-face interview with the Category Director and a member of the HR team
- Final interview with the Head of Marketing or another senior stakeholder
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and brand management skills
- Leadership and teamwork abilities
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Valeo Foods UK's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand management experience and relevant skills
- Prepare examples of your past initiatives, their outcomes, and the lessons you learned
- Research Valeo Foods UK's brand portfolio and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to its success
- Demonstrate your understanding of the food production industry and its trends
ATS Keywords: Brand management, strategic planning, initiative leadership, stakeholder engagement, consumer insights, marketing mix, budget compliance, cross-functional collaboration, brand representation, consumer connections
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their understanding of the role's requirements and their ability to contribute to Valeo Foods UK's success.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
- Consumer research and analytics tools (e.g., Nielsen, Kantar)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable using common marketing and project management tools, as well as learning new tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion for our brands
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and continuous improvement
- Customer focus
- Integrity and accountability
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Results-driven and focused on delivering excellence
- Collaborative and supportive, with a strong team culture
- Adaptable and open to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate passion for Valeo Foods UK's brands in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully collaborated with a cross-functional team to achieve a common goal?
- How do you approach continuous learning and improvement in your role?
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate a strong alignment with Valeo Foods UK's values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require working on multiple brands simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and prioritization
- Occasional travel may be required to meet with stakeholders or attend industry events
- The fast-paced nature of the role may necessitate working outside of standard business hours to meet project deadlines
- The competitive food production industry may present challenges in maintaining market share and driving brand growth
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to address these potential challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a dynamic and competitive environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to a Senior Brand Manager role, this position offers more focus on initiative leadership and less on strategic planning and team management
- In the food production industry, this role is similar to those found in other mid-sized companies, with a focus on brand management and cross-functional collaboration
- Career progression from this role may include advancement to a Senior Brand Manager, Category Manager, or other marketing leadership positions
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider their career goals and the opportunities for growth within Valeo Foods UK when evaluating this role.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a successful brand relaunch campaign for a mature brand in the portfolio
- Conducting consumer research to identify new market opportunities and product innovations
- Collaborating with the sales team to optimize retailer relationships and drive brand growth
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of initiatives a Brand Manager at Valeo Foods UK might undertake, but the specific projects will vary based on the brand and category group.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's approach to brand building and how this role contributes to that strategy?
- How does the company support the professional development of its Brand Managers?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does the company measure the success of its brands, and how will this role be evaluated?
- What is the company's approach to innovation and new product development?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help applicants better understand the role, the company, and its culture, enabling them to make an informed decision about their application.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Valeo Foods UK careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand management experience and relevant skills
- Prepare examples of your past initiatives, their outcomes, and the lessons you learned
- Research Valeo Foods UK's brand portfolio and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to its success
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
