📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Brand Manager
🔹 Company: Valeo Foods
🔹 Location: York, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Brand Management
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-17
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading brand plans for a category group covering Valeo-owned and retailer-owned brands
- Driving budget targets and ensuring compliance with marketing budgets
- Strong stewardship of initiatives within brand plans and regular reporting on progress
- Collaborating cross-functionally and representing brands externally, particularly with retailers
- Overseeing and inspiring the 'Consumer is Boss' plan, ensuring regular connections with consumers
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, with the ability to balance both long-term planning and day-to-day execution. Strong leadership and analytical skills are crucial for success in this position.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Hit or beat budget targets on the category group
✅ Strong stewardship of initiatives within the brand plans
✅ Strong monthly reporting on initiatives (board-level standards)
✅ Strong contribution to building a 'Valeo Brand Building Framework' and ensuring consistent, excellent use
✅ Strong contribution to the annual strategy review
✅ Strong leadership of the quarterly update on initiatives
✅ Very strong marketing budget compliance and optimization (Core marketing, ASOH, shopper marketing)
✅ Very strong cross-functional collaboration
✅ Valued representation of brand externally, especially with retailers
✅ Very strong overseeing and inspiration of the 'Consumer is Boss' plan (regular connections with consumers)
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, tactical execution, and stakeholder management. Strong project management skills are essential to balance these responsibilities effectively.
🎯 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 driving business results
Required Skills:
- Strong leadership and analytical thinking skills
- Ability to create and embrace change
- Excellent collaboration skills, including the capacity to tell people what they need to hear
- Strong 'Personal Best' mindset: seeking to be better tomorrow than today
- Excellent stewardship of initiatives from brand plans
- Strong adaptability to operate at all levels of the organization
- Excellent presentation skills – written and verbal
- Strong ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Proven experience in the full marketing mix – from insight generation to problem-solving, target-setting, delivering, and measuring
- Strong experience interacting successfully with board-level stakeholders and collaborating widely with sales
- Strong track record of creating change that shapes thinking and delivers business results
- Strong experience in NPD, Go-to-market, internal, and external engagement around brand plans
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the food industry
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Given the strategic nature of the role, candidates with a strong background in brand management and a proven ability to drive business growth will be most successful.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £45,000 - £60,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for a Brand Manager role 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. However, flexibility may be required based on business needs.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Brand Manager role with the given experience level in the UK. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as skills, experience, and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Food Production
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: Valeo Foods UK is part of the Valeo Foods Group, which was founded in 2010
Company Description:
- Valeo Foods UK is the creative force behind an array of beloved brands, spanning indulgence, innovation, and tradition
- The portfolio includes iconic brands such as Kettle Crisps, Rowse Honey, and Matthew Walker puddings
- The company offers exciting career opportunities and a matched pension scheme up to 10%
Company Specialties:
- Brand management
- Marketing
- Food production
- Retail
Company Website: www.valeofoods.co.uk
ASSUMPTION: Valeo Foods UK is part of the larger Valeo Foods Group, which has a strong presence in the food industry and offers opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing Director and may have supervisory responsibilities for junior brand managers or marketing executives
Work Arrangement: On-site, with some flexibility for remote work as needed
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior brand management role or marketing manager position
- Expansion into different categories or brands within the Valeo Foods portfolio
- Opportunities to work on international projects or with global teams
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within the Valeo Foods Group, particularly for candidates with strong leadership and strategic skills.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space
Office Location(s): Low Poppleton Lane, York, England YO26 6AZ
Geographic Context:
- York is a historic city in North Yorkshire, England, with a population of approximately 200,000
- The city is known for its Viking and medieval history, as well as its vibrant cultural scene
- York is well-connected by road, rail, and air, with easy access to major cities such as Leeds, Manchester, and London
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, with some flexibility for remote work as needed
ASSUMPTION: The York office offers a modern, collaborative work environment, with easy access to local amenities and cultural attractions.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and/or other stakeholders
- Final interview with the Marketing Director or another senior leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Leadership and team management skills
- Analytical and presentation skills
- Understanding of the food industry and relevant market trends
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your brand management experience and achievements
- Research Valeo Foods UK and the broader Valeo Foods Group to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its portfolio
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company, the role, or the team to show your interest and engagement
ATS Keywords: Brand management, marketing, budget compliance, cross-functional collaboration, consumer engagement, brand stewardship, strategy review, leadership, analytical thinking, presentation skills
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership skills, and understanding of the food industry. Preparation should involve researching the company and its portfolio, as well as reflecting on relevant experience and achievements.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace, as well as familiarity with marketing automation, data analysis, and project management tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion for flavour
- Innovation and excellence
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Integrity and respect
- Customer focus
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and flexible
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Valeo Foods' values in your work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you drove results through strong leadership and collaboration?
- How do you stay organized and manage your time in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Valeo Foods' values and work style will be most successful in this role. Self-assessment questions should be used to reflect on personal strengths and how they match the company's culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple brands and initiatives simultaneously
- Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day execution
- Working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders with varying priorities and perspectives
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability. Candidates should be prepared to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with cross-functional teams.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other brand management roles, this position requires a strong focus on budget compliance and optimization
- This role offers the opportunity to work on both Valeo-owned and retailer-owned brands, providing a broader scope of experience
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a senior brand management role or marketing manager position within the Valeo Foods Group
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to other brand management positions. Candidates should consider the specific requirements and growth potential of this role when evaluating their career prospects.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a brand plan for a new product launch, including market research, target audience definition, and marketing campaign creation
- Conducting a comprehensive brand audit and providing recommendations for improvement, based on consumer insights and market trends
- Managing a team to deliver a successful trade show or event, including logistics, vendor management, and on-site execution
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and initiatives that a Brand Manager at Valeo Foods UK might undertake. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and achievements in their application and interview.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the marketing department?
- How does Valeo Foods UK support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the brands in our portfolio, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does Valeo Foods UK approach innovation and new product development?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how is this supported within the marketing department?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture. Candidates should prepare additional questions based on their research and personal interests.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your brand management experience and achievements
- Research Valeo Foods UK and the broader Valeo Foods Group to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its portfolio
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company, the role, or the team to show your interest and engagement
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department 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.
