📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Lipton Ice Tea White Spaces Sr Marketing Manager
🔹 Company: Unilever
🔹 Location: Kingston, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-14
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 office days per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic market development and planning for Lipton Ice Tea in underdeveloped European markets
- Cross-functional collaboration with regional and local teams to deliver end-to-end marketing plans
- Data-driven strategies and execution support to drive business impact
- Performance tracking and continuous optimization of market development strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic vision and hands-on execution, with a focus on driving growth in new and underdeveloped markets.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Conduct deep-dive market assessments to uncover key opportunities based on population trends, category size, per capita consumption, and competitive landscape
✅ Develop and refine market entry and expansion strategies aligned with company growth priorities, leveraging robust data insights
✅ Identify and develop product portfolios tailored to each market, including robust consumer testing in partnership with the Insights team
✅ Define KPIs to measure success and dynamically adjust strategies for optimal impact
✅ Lead cross-functional teams to develop and validate customized go-to-market (GTM) plans for each white space market
✅ Collaborate with local marketing, sales, and trade teams to develop compelling value propositions and activation plans
✅ Monitor market penetration, brand performance, and campaign impact in white space markets, ensuring continuous growth
✅ Establish comprehensive reporting frameworks to provide visibility into progress and key learnings
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong analytical mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: Proven track record in developing and executing strategic marketing plans, with a focus on new and underdeveloped markets
Required Skills:
- Strategic marketing expertise
- White space strategy experience
- Consumer insight and analytical skills
- Business acumen and cross-functional collaboration
- Execution excellence and data-driven approach
- Leadership and global experience
Preferred Skills:
- Innovation experience
- Fluency in multiple European languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the beverage industry or relevant consumer goods categories may have an advantage.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £70,000 - £90,000 per annum (based on industry standards for a senior marketing role in the UK)
Benefits:
- Competitive pension and healthcare plans
- Generous annual leave and flexible working arrangements
- Employee discounts on Unilever products
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) with flexible working options available
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: Consumer Goods, specifically Beverages
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Global), with a matrix organization structure
Founded: 1872, with a rich history and strong brand portfolio
Company Description:
- Unilever is a global consumer goods company with a portfolio of over 400 brands, including Lipton, Dove, and Hellmann's
- The company is committed to sustainable business practices and has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2039
- Unilever's Pepsi Lipton joint venture focuses on growing the RTDT category globally, with a mission to replenish people and nature
Company Specialties:
- Consumer Goods
- Food
- Home Care
- Personal Care
- Refreshments
- Marketing & Advertising
- Retail
- Purpose
- FMCG
- Digital
- Ice Cream
- Nutrition
- Sustainability
- Beauty & Wellbeing
- Innovation
- and Careers
Company Website: http://www.unilever.com
ASSUMPTION: Unilever's size and global presence offer candidates significant opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse markets and brands.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Marketing Manager, with potential for career progression within the Pepsi Lipton joint venture or broader Unilever organization
Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Regional Sr Marketing Director and works closely with the CMO and GM
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 3 office days per week required in Kingston, United Kingdom
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on additional markets or categories as the role evolves
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and collaborate with senior leadership
- Possibility to transition to a full-time remote work arrangement after a successful probation period
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in a joint venture environment and work on high-growth, high-potential brands.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work
Office Location(s): Kingston, United Kingdom (with potential for remote work)
Geographic Context:
- The United Kingdom is a key market for Pepsi Lipton, with a strong consumer base for iced tea
- Kingston is located in South West London, with easy access to public transportation and nearby attractions
- The office is a modern, collaborative workspace with on-site amenities and nearby food and retail options
Work Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) with flexible working options available
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, with opportunities for remote work to increase based on individual performance and team needs.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screening
- In-depth behavioral and technical interviews
- Final round with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and market development skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Data-driven approach and analytical skills
- Leadership and team management capabilities
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role
- Prepare examples of your strategic marketing experience and how you've driven growth in new or underdeveloped markets
- Be ready to discuss your approach to data-driven decision-making and market analysis
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a matrix organization and collaborate with cross-functional teams
ATS Keywords: Strategic Marketing, White Space Strategy, Consumer Insight, Business Acumen, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Execution Excellence, Data-Driven, Leadership, Global Experience, Market Development, Go-to-Market Strategy, Portfolio Management, Consumer Testing, KPI Tracking, Reporting Frameworks
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, market development skills, and ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant marketing and project management tools is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Exploration: Embrace curiosity and continuous learning
- Courage: Act boldly and take calculated risks
- Collaboration: Work together to achieve more
- PositiviTEA: Foster a positive and inclusive work environment
Work Style:
- Agile and adaptable, with a focus on delivering results in a fast-paced environment
- Data-driven and analytical, with a strong problem-solving mindset
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with excellent communication skills
- Strategic and forward-thinking, with a focus on long-term growth and impact
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Unilever's company values, particularly 'Exploration' and 'Courage'?
- How comfortable are you working in a matrix organization and collaborating with cross-functional teams?
- How do you approach data-driven decision-making and market analysis in a strategic marketing context?
ASSUMPTION: Unilever values candidates who embody their core values and can thrive in a dynamic, collaborative work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and competing demands in a fast-paced, matrix organization
- Navigating a complex, global supply chain and cross-functional teams
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment and balancing on-site collaboration with remote flexibility
- Developing and executing go-to-market strategies in underdeveloped markets with limited resources
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated through strong project management skills, effective communication, and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from traditional marketing manager positions in its focus on white space market development and strategic planning
- Compared to other senior marketing roles, this position requires a stronger emphasis on market assessment, data-driven strategy, and cross-functional collaboration
- Career progression in this role may involve transitioning to a global or regional marketing leadership position within the Pepsi Lipton joint venture or broader Unilever organization
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience in strategic marketing and white space strategy, with a focus on driving growth in new and underdeveloped markets.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a go-to-market strategy for Lipton Ice Tea in Spain, with a focus on consumer insights, portfolio optimization, and localized activation
- Conducting a market assessment for Italy, identifying key opportunities and defining a data-driven expansion strategy
- Leading a cross-functional team to launch Lipton Ice Tea in the Nordics, with a focus on consumer testing, localized packaging, and targeted communications
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, data-driven, and cross-functional nature of the role and the importance of consumer insights in driving business impact.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader Pepsi Lipton organization and its growth strategy?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how can I make a significant impact?
- How does the company support the professional development and career growth of its employees?
- What are the key challenges facing the Lipton Ice Tea brand, and how can this role address them?
- How does the company approach sustainability and net-zero goals, and how can this role contribute to that mission?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates understand the role's context, priorities, and potential for growth and impact.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role
- Prepare examples of your strategic marketing experience and how you've driven growth in new or underveloped markets
- Be ready to discuss your approach to data-driven decision-making and market analysis
- Follow up with your application status within 2 weeks of submission, and if you haven't heard back, reach out to the Talent Partner, Kyron Dias (Kyron.Dias@unilever.com)
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
