Own Brand Product Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Own Brand Product Manager

🔹 Company: Pets at Home Limited

🔹 Location: Handforth, Cheshire East, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (2 office days per week)

🔹 Category: Brand Management

🔹 Date Posted: July 15, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site with occasional remote work

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing strategic propositions for own brands
• Leading growth plans and brand evolution
• Collaborating with stakeholders to create and execute launch plans
• Monitoring performance and representing own brand propositions

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, analytical skills, and strong communication abilities. It involves frequent national travel and working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute strategic propositions for own brands, aligning with customer needs and market dynamics

✅ Lead the delivery of growth plans, including brand positioning, brand stretch, and long-term vision

✅ Collaborate with stakeholders to create and execute launch plans and go-to-market strategies

✅ Stay informed about market trends and adapt strategies to meet changing marketplace demands

✅ Monitor performance, customer feedback, and trends to ensure brand targets are met

✅ Represent and champion own brand propositions across the business

✅ Support marketing campaigns across various platforms and analyze their success to inform future activities

✅ Act as an Own Brand Ambassador, promoting and championing the brands internally and externally

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong project management skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field

Experience: Proven experience in brand management, preferably in the retail sector

Required Skills:

• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Passion for branding with a keen eye for creative insights and market trends

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the pet market
• Customer Insight experience

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the pet market or customer insight experience may have an advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (based on industry standards for a Brand Manager role with 2-5 years of experience)

Benefits:

• 25 days' holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Employee discount on Pets at Home products
• Access to a range of flexible benefits, including gym membership, health screening, and dental insurance

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with flexible working options available

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Brand Manager role with 2-5 years of experience. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Pets at Home is a leading pet supply retailer in the UK, operating over 450 stores and an online platform. The pet market is a growing industry, with a current market size of over £6 billion in the UK alone.

Company Size: Pets at Home is a mid-sized company with approximately 7,000 employees. This size offers opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.

Founded: Pets at Home was founded in 1991 and has since grown to become the UK's largest pet supplies retailer.

Company Description:

• Pets at Home is committed to providing exceptional customer service and high-quality products for pets and their owners
• The company offers a wide range of pet food, accessories, and services, including grooming and vet services
• Pets at Home is dedicated to supporting animal welfare and has raised over £30 million for various pet charities since 2010

Company Specialties:

• Pet supplies retail
• Pet grooming and vet services
• Animal welfare support

Company Website: www.petsathome.com

ASSUMPTION: Pets at Home's commitment to animal welfare and exceptional customer service are key aspects of the company culture that applicants should be aware of.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-level of the brand management career path, offering opportunities for growth and development within the organization.

Reporting Structure: The Own Brand Product Manager reports to the Senior Own Brand Manager and works closely with various stakeholders, including marketing, product, and category teams.

Work Arrangement: This role is a hybrid position, requiring the candidate to work in the office two days per week and with frequent national travel.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a Senior Brand Manager role within the organization
• Expanding responsibilities to include additional brands or categories
• Opportunities to work on special projects or initiatives

ASSUMPTION: Pets at Home offers opportunities for career growth and development within the organization, with potential paths including progression to senior roles or expanding responsibilities.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The Pets at Home Support Office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation.

Office Location(s): Handforth, Cheshire (with frequent national travel required)

Geographic Context:

• Handforth is a suburb of Manchester, located approximately 6 miles south of the city center
• The area offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with easy access to nearby countryside and leisure activities
• Handforth is well-connected by public transportation, with regular bus services to Manchester and other nearby towns

Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with flexible working options available. The role requires occasional weekend work to support trade events or campaigns.

ASSUMPTION: The Handforth office location offers a convenient base for candidates living in or near Manchester, with easy access to nearby amenities and leisure activities.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and CV submission
• Phone or video screening with the HR team
• Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and a member of the HR team
• Final interview with the Senior Own Brand Manager and another stakeholder

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and analytical skills
• Communication and collaboration abilities
• Cultural fit and alignment with Pets at Home values
• Passion for branding and understanding of the pet market

Application Tips:

• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant brand management experience and skills
• Demonstrate your understanding of the pet market and Pets at Home's brand values
• Prepare examples of your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Research Pets at Home's competitors and market position to show your industry knowledge

ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Strategic Thinking, Analytical Skills, Communication, Collaboration, Dynamic Environment, Creative Insights, Market Trends, Retail Sector, Pet Market

ASSUMPTION: Pets at Home's application process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their understanding of the pet market and Pets at Home's brand values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
• Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Analytics)

ASSUMPTION: Pets at Home uses standard office software and project management tools to facilitate collaboration and productivity. Candidates should be comfortable using these tools and be willing to learn new technologies as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passionate about pets
• Committed to exceptional customer service
• Dedicated to supporting animal welfare
• Focused on continuous improvement and innovation

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Results-driven and focused on delivering results
• Customer-centric and committed to understanding customer needs

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you demonstrate your passion for pets and commitment to animal welfare in your daily life?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to deliver exceptional customer service?
• How do you approach continuous improvement and innovation in your current role?

ASSUMPTION: Pets at Home values candidates who are passionate about pets, committed to exceptional customer service, and dedicated to supporting animal welfare. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their alignment with these values during the interview process.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Frequent national travel may be required, which could impact work-life balance
• The role involves working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, which may be challenging for candidates who prefer a more structured work environment
• Candidates may need to adapt to working with various stakeholders and managing multiple projects simultaneously
• The pet market is competitive, and candidates may face challenges in staying informed about market trends and competitor activities

ASSUMPTION: Pets at Home's fast-paced work environment and frequent travel requirements may present challenges for some candidates. Applicants should carefully consider these factors before applying for the role.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other Brand Manager roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to work in the pet market and contribute to animal welfare initiatives
• Pets at Home's mid-sized company structure offers opportunities for career growth and development that may not be available in larger organizations
• This role requires a higher degree of cross-functional collaboration and project management skills than some other Brand Manager positions

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider the unique aspects of this role, such as the opportunity to work in the pet market and the level of cross-functional collaboration required, when comparing it to other Brand Manager positions.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic proposition for a new own brand product launch
• Conducting market research to identify trends and opportunities in the pet market
• Collaborating with the marketing team to create and execute a go-to-market strategy for an existing own brand product

ASSUMPTION: Pets at Home's Brand Manager role involves a range of strategic and tactical projects, from developing new product propositions to executing marketing campaigns. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their experience and skills in these areas during the interview process.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does Pets at Home support the growth and development of its employees?
• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the brand management team?
• How does Pets at Home measure the success of its own brand products, and what metrics are most important?
• What opportunities are there for career progression within the brand management team?
• How does Pets at Home balance the need for innovation with the need to maintain consistency in its brand messaging?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should use the interview process to gather information about Pets at Home's company culture, team dynamics, and career progression opportunities. They should also ask questions that demonstrate their understanding of the pet market and Pets at Home's brand values.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant brand management experience and skills
• Prepare examples of your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Research Pets at Home's competitors and market position to show your industry knowledge
• 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.