Interim Brand Manager Food inspiration & Arla Köket - Stockholm

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Interim Brand Manager Food inspiration & Arla Köket - Stockholm

🔹 Company: Arla Foods

🔹 Location: Stockholm, Sweden

🔹 Job Type: Interim

🔹 Category: Brand Management

🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading the development of Arla’s food inspiration and cooking brand, Arla Köket
• Managing strategic agendas, business plans, and brand performance
• Overseeing external agency relationships and collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Driving Arla’s purpose: “help people to eat well”

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the FMCG industry.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the development of Arla’s food inspiration and cooking brand, Arla Köket, from strategy to execution

✅ Manage strategic agendas, business plans, and brand performance for Arla Mat and support the same tasks for Arla Köket

✅ Develop yearly brand plans and lead the 3-5 years’ brand strategy for Arla Köket

✅ Lead Arla Köket plans strategically and support operational work with the brand

✅ Lead all external channels for Arla Mat and collaborate closely with the digital and media team

✅ Lead the ongoing reporting and recommend actions based on insights (monitors and understands key brand tracking KPIs and implications for food inspiration & cooking)

✅ Lead content plan and agenda for “help people eat well” in all food inspiration platforms

✅ Manage ‘day-to-day’ agency relationships with core agencies (content, comms, PR)

✅ Build strong relationships with cross-functional teams across Arla Foods functions to ensure effective delivery of projects

✅ Act as an internal champion and expert for Arla’s food inspiration & cooking business

✅ Lead Kock responsible for retail and team leader for Food inspiration & Arla Köket

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and external stakeholder management.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor or Master degree in Business Administration (Marketing/Sales) or equivalent

Experience: 3-5 years of experience from a similar role combined with brand & sales management experience within FMCG

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in brand management and sales within FMCG
• Strong analytical skills and experience working with data tools such as Nielsen, GFK, etc.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Fluency in Swedish and English
• Good people leadership skills
• Big interest in food, cooking, and social media

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with Arla Foods or in the dairy industry
• Knowledge of the Swedish market and consumer trends

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in FMCG, brand management, and sales will be most successful in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: SEK 55,000 - 65,000 per month (Based on industry standards for similar roles in Stockholm)

Benefits:

• Competitive pension and insurance plans
• Generous vacation policy
• Employee discounts on Arla products
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles in Stockholm. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Food and Beverage Manufacturing

Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Global leader in the dairy industry)

Founded: 1881 (as an agricultural cooperative)

Company Description:

• Arla Foods is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to producing high-quality products while championing sustainability and innovation
• The company is owned by 7,624 dairy farmer-owners in Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands
• Arla Foods aims to create the future of dairy, bring healthy and sustainable dairy products to people across the world, and lead the transition towards sustainable dairy farming and production

Company Specialties:

• Dairy
• Milk
• Yoghurt
• Cheese
• Cream
• Powder
• Purpose
• Healthy
• Natural
• Cooperative
• Responsible
• Food
• sustainability
• growth
• careers
• and Farming

Company Website: www.arla.com

ASSUMPTION: Arla Foods is a large, global organization with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and delivering high-quality dairy products.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Arla Brand & Sustainability Director

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time (40 hours per week)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for career progression within Arla Foods’ brand management and marketing teams
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and gain exposure to senior leadership
• Chance to develop skills in strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and external stakeholder management

ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong growth potential for candidates looking to advance their careers in brand management and marketing within the FMCG industry.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space

Office Location(s): Stockholm, Sweden

Geographic Context:

• Stockholm is the capital and largest city in Sweden, with a population of over 965,000 people
• The city is known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and beautiful architecture
• Stockholm offers a high quality of life, with excellent education, healthcare, and recreational opportunities

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with a 1-hour lunch break)

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Arla Foods’ Stockholm office is collaborative, modern, and supportive of work-life balance.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call with the HR department
• On-site interview with the hiring manager and relevant team members
• Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Arla Foods’ values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership experiences, and cultural fit
• Research Arla Foods and the Swedish dairy industry to demonstrate your understanding of the company and market

ATS Keywords: Brand Management, FMCG, Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Collaboration, External Stakeholder Management, Food Inspiration, Cooking, Arla Köket, Arla Mat, Nielsen, GFK

ASSUMPTION: The interview process at Arla Foods is designed to assess candidates’ strategic thinking, leadership skills, and cultural fit for the organization.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Data analysis tools (e.g., Nielsen, GFK)
• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Mailchimp, HubSpot)
• Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, and data analysis tools. Familiarity with marketing automation and social media management tools is also beneficial.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Natural
• Responsible
• Cooperative
• Healthy

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Innovative and forward-thinking
• Results-driven and action-oriented
• Adaptable and open to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with Arla Foods’ value of being “natural” in your approach to brand management?
• Describe a time when you demonstrated strong leadership skills in a cross-functional team setting
• How do you approach working with external agencies and stakeholders to deliver projects on time and within budget?

ASSUMPTION: Arla Foods values candidates who are natural, responsible, cooperative, and healthy in their approach to work, and who thrive in a collaborative, innovative, and results-driven work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously
• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic industry
• Adapting to changes in market trends and consumer behavior
• Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational tasks
• Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and external agencies

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic work environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other brand management roles, this position places a stronger emphasis on strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and external stakeholder management
• Within the FMCG industry, this role is unique in its focus on food inspiration and cooking, as well as its intersection with the dairy sector
• Career paths for this role may include progression into senior brand management positions, marketing director roles, or other strategic leadership positions within Arla Foods or the broader FMCG industry

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic, collaborative, and operational responsibilities, making it distinct from other brand management positions in the FMCG industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive brand strategy for Arla Köket, including market research, competitive analysis, and positioning
• Managing a team to create and implement a successful marketing campaign for Arla Mat, driving brand awareness and sales growth
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to launch a new product line, from concept development to in-store execution

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and operational aspects of the Brand Manager Food inspiration & Arla Köket role, highlighting the diverse responsibilities and impactful work candidates can expect to undertake.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics for this role, and how it collaborates with other departments within Arla Foods?
• How does Arla Foods support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in brand management and marketing?
• What are the key challenges facing the Arla Köket brand in the Swedish market, and how can this role address them?
• How does Arla Foods measure and track the success of its brand management efforts, and what KPIs are most important for this role?
• What is the company’s approach to innovation and staying ahead of market trends in the dairy industry?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role, the company, and the industry, and helps you better understand the expectations and requirements for success.

📌 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 for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership experiences, and cultural fit
• Research Arla Foods and the Swedish dairy industry to demonstrate your understanding of the company and market
• Follow up with the hiring manager, Kristina Hammerö, after one week if you haven’t heard back about your application status

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.