📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Category Marketing Manager
🔹 Company: Mecca Brands
🔹 Location: Richmond upon Thames, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Retail
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-10
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing integrated omni-channel marketing strategies to drive commercial growth
- Leading marketing strategies from briefing through to delivery, working cross-functionally with internal teams and external brand partners
- Building and managing strong relationships with brand partners, co-developing impactful, aligned marketing plans
- Representing Mecca Marketing across internal and external forums, ensuring alignment and advocacy for category priorities
- Fostering a collaborative, solutions-focused culture built on shared success, continuous improvement, and strategic agility
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to navigate ambiguity and make informed decisions under pressure.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the integration of category and brand strategies into Mecca’s marketing campaigns, aligning with business and customer priorities
✅ Drive end-to-end campaign planning and briefing processes, partnering closely with Brand, Go-To-Market, and Channel teams
✅ Make strategic trade-off decisions to prioritize marketing initiatives based on commercial impact
✅ Build and manage strong relationships with brand partners, co-developing impactful, aligned marketing plans
✅ Lead annual brand planning and ensure seamless integration of brand priorities into campaign ecosystems
✅ Shape and execute category marketing strategies that drive performance, innovation, and storytelling across channels
✅ Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver creative, test-and-learn content and campaign executions that elevate category narratives
✅ Represent Mecca Marketing across internal and external forums, ensuring alignment and advocacy for category priorities
✅ Support a high-performing team by flexing across projects, balancing workloads, and improving tools and workflows
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong communication skills to influence stakeholders and share knowledge to foster alignment and trust.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: 7+ years of marketing experience, ideally within retail, beauty, fashion, or FMCG
Required Skills:
- Proven ability to lead and deliver strategic, omni-channel marketing campaigns
- Deep understanding of Mecca’s strategic direction and ability to translate into actionable marketing initiatives
- Strategic thinker who can identify high-impact opportunities, break down complex challenges, and develop creative, commercially minded solutions
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and ability to build and strengthen strategic brand relationships
- Confident decision-making under pressure and transparent communication of risks and changes
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a retail-led, cross-functional environment
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in beauty, fashion, or FMCG industries may have a competitive advantage for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £45,000 - £60,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for a Marketing Manager role with 7+ years of experience in the UK retail sector)
Benefits:
- Professional development programs and first-class digitised learning offering
- Health and well-being initiatives
- Reward and recognition programs
- Access to bonus and incentive programs
- Access to quarterly product allowance
- Up to 40% discount
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and Mecca Brands' internal compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Retail, specifically beauty and cosmetics
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (Large enterprise)
Founded: 1997, with over 25 years of experience in the beauty retail industry
Company Description:
- Mecca Brands is a leading beauty retailer with over 100 stores across Australia and New Zealand, offering a wide range of beauty and skincare brands
- The company is known for its exceptional service and commitment to enabling customers to feel and look their best
- Mecca Brands operates four unique retail concepts – MECCA Cosmetica, MECCA Maxima, MECCA, and its online stores
Company Specialties:
- Cosmetics and skincare retail
- eCommerce and digital marketing
- Supply chain and product development
- Brand management and business development
- Technology and innovation
Company Website: http://www.mecca.com.au/careers
ASSUMPTION: Working for Mecca Brands offers opportunities to gain experience in a large, established retail company with a strong focus on beauty and customer service.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level marketing role with potential for growth and progression within the company
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing Director and may have team members reporting to them
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with the possibility of hybrid or remote work arrangements in the future
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior marketing role, such as Marketing Director or Head of Marketing
- Expansion of responsibilities to include additional categories or brands
- Opportunities to work on special projects or initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the marketing department and the company as a whole.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate office environment with a supportive and collaborative team culture
Office Location(s): Richmond upon Thames, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- The office is located in the Richmond upon Thames borough, which is a vibrant and diverse area with a mix of residential and commercial properties
- The area is well-connected by public transportation, with easy access to shops, restaurants, and other amenities
- The office is situated near the River Thames, offering scenic views and opportunities for outdoor activities
Work Schedule: Standard office hours, typically Monday to Friday, with flexibility for remote work arrangements as needed
ASSUMPTION: The office environment at Mecca Brands is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and productivity, with a focus on supporting the well-being of employees.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the Marketing Director or another senior leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Mecca Brands' values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your marketing experience and relevant skills
- Prepare examples of your past marketing campaigns and their outcomes to discuss during the interview
- Research Mecca Brands and the beauty retail industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
ATS Keywords: Marketing strategy, omni-channel marketing, brand management, stakeholder engagement, campaign planning, commercial impact, category marketing, retail marketing, beauty industry, consumer behavior
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may involve multiple interviews and assessments to ensure the best fit for both the candidate and the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
- Marketing automation and CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard marketing tools and technologies is expected for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer First
- Solutions Focused
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Adaptable
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on commercial impact
- Adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong customer focus and a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences?
- Are you able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external partners to achieve shared goals?
- Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and embrace change and continuous improvement?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Mecca Brands' values and work style are more likely to succeed in this role and contribute to the company's ongoing success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Navigating complex stakeholder relationships and influencing key decision-makers
- Adapting to changes in the retail and beauty industries, as well as internal company changes
- Balancing the need for strategic, long-term planning with the requirement for quick, tactical decision-making
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and the retail industry, and successful candidates will be able to navigate them effectively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other marketing roles, this position places a greater emphasis on category-specific marketing strategies and cross-functional collaboration
- In the beauty retail industry, this role is similar to a Category Marketing Manager or Senior Marketing Manager position
- Career progression from this role may include moving into a senior marketing leadership position, such as Marketing Director or Head of Marketing
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to other marketing positions, and candidates should consider their fit for this specific role within the context of the broader beauty retail industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a marketing campaign to launch a new product or brand within a specific category
- Conducting market research and analysis to identify trends and opportunities within a particular category
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create and implement a category-specific marketing strategy that drives commercial growth
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the types of initiatives a Category Marketing Manager might work on, but the specific projects will vary based on the company's priorities and the category's needs.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current marketing strategies for my category and how this role fits into the broader marketing team?
- How does Mecca Brands support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Mecca Brands approach innovation and staying ahead of industry trends in the beauty retail space?
- What is the work-life balance like for this role, and how does Mecca Brands support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding the company's culture and priorities.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Mecca Brands careers website
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your marketing experience and relevant skills
- Prepare examples of your past marketing campaigns and their outcomes to discuss during the interview
- Research Mecca Brands and the beauty retail industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
