Senior Brand Manager - Fixed Term (x2)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Brand Manager - Fixed Term (x2)

🔹 Company: AG Barr

🔹 Location: Cumbernauld, Middlebrook, Milton Keynes (Hybrid)

🔹 Job Type: Temporary

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: May 16, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Cumbernauld, Middlebrook, Milton Keynes)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and implementing brand strategies for Barr Soft Drinks portfolio
• Leading cross-functional teams to execute brand initiatives across multiple channels
• Conducting market research and analyzing consumer insights to inform brand strategy
• Collaborating with various teams to ensure brand consistency and maximize impact/ROI
• Mentoring and developing junior team members to build a high-performing brand/marketing team

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in brand management and a proven track record of developing and executing successful brand strategies.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and implement short and long term brand strategies that align with Barr Soft Drinks vision and goals

✅ Lead cross-functional teams to execute brand initiatives across multiple channels, including digital, social, traditional media, and retail

✅ Conduct market research and analyze consumer insights to inform brand strategy and positioning

✅ Collaborate with Commercial, Innovation, R&D, and Shopper teams to ensure brand consistency across all touchpoints and maximize impact/ROI

✅ Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of brand activities, adjusting strategies as needed to achieve business objectives

✅ Manage external agencies and suppliers to ensure best in class deliverables and timely execution of brand initiatives

✅ Mentor and develop junior team members to build a high-performing brand/marketing team

✅ Collaborate with senior leadership to identify new business opportunities and drive revenue growth

✅ Stay abreast of industry trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities for innovation and growth

✅ Develop and manage the brand's budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support brand initiatives

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of commercial acumen, with success being measured on brand financials in addition to consumer and market measures.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree preferable

Experience: Extensive experience in brand management/consumer-facing role, with a proven track record of developing and executing successful brand strategies

Required Skills:

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners
• Strong analytical skills and experience using data to inform decision-making
• Creative and innovative mindset, with the ability to think outside the box and develop fresh and engaging branding initiatives
• Passion for the brand and the industry, with a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and trends

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of the soft drinks industry and its trends
• Fluency in additional languages (beneficial but not required)

ASSUMPTION: While a Bachelor's degree is preferable, relevant experience and a strong portfolio may be considered in lieu of formal education.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £45,000 - £55,000 per annum (AI estimate based on industry standards for a Senior Brand Manager role in the UK)

Benefits:

• Up to 33 days holiday (depending on shift pattern)
• Flexible holiday trading
• Living Wage Employer
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Flexible benefits (e.g., discounts & cashback, gym memberships, technology purchases)
• Life assurance
• Save as you earn scheme
• Staff sales discount
• Free AG Barr products throughout your working day
• Pension
• Annual salary review
• Ongoing professional development

Working Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday, with flexibility for hybrid working)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Senior Brand Manager role in the UK. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: AG Barr operates in the competitive Food and Beverage Services industry, with a focus on soft drinks and owned brands such as Boost, FUNKIN, and MOMA.

Company Size: AG Barr employs around 900 people across three business units and four UK locations. This mid-sized company offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and development.

Founded: AG Barr was founded in 1875 and has been quenching the nation's thirst for over 145 years. The company has a rich history and a strong brand portfolio.

Company Description:

• AG Barr is home to some of the UK's most loved drinks brands, including IRN-BRU, RUBICON, and BARR
• The company has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, such as Boost, FUNKIN, and MOMA
• AG Barr is committed to being a responsible business that takes care of its people, values diversity, gives something back to its communities, and works to minimize its environmental impact

Company Specialties:

• Engineering
• Marketing
• Procurement
• Retail
• and Consumer

Company Website: http://www.agbarr.co.uk

ASSUMPTION: AG Barr's focus on being a responsible business and investing in its employees' talent makes it an attractive place to work for candidates seeking a company that values its people and the environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level position within the Marketing department, reporting directly to the Marketing Director.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Brand Manager will have line management responsibilities for junior team members and will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Commercial, Innovation, R&D, and Shopper teams.

Work Arrangement: This role is offered on a fixed-term contract basis, with the possibility of extension or permanent employment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a more senior role within the Marketing department, such as Marketing Director
• Expanding responsibilities to cover additional brands or categories within the AG Barr portfolio
• Developing expertise in specific areas, such as digital marketing or innovation, to drive growth and success within the company

ASSUMPTION: The fixed-term nature of this role may appeal to candidates seeking short-term or project-based opportunities, as well as those looking for a path to permanent employment within the company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: AG Barr's offices are modern and well-equipped, providing a collaborative and engaging work environment for employees.

Office Location(s): Cumbernauld, Middlebrook, Milton Keynes

Geographic Context:

• Cumbernauld is located in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, with easy access to major transport links and nearby amenities
• Middlebrook is situated in Bolton, England, with convenient access to public transportation and local attractions
• Milton Keynes is a thriving city in Buckinghamshire, England, offering a mix of urban and rural living

Work Schedule: This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with a combination of on-site and remote work. The specific work schedule will be agreed upon with the successful candidate.

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility and a better work-life balance for employees, while still providing opportunities for collaboration and face-to-face interaction.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the HR team
• First-round interview with the Marketing Director
• Second-round interview with the Senior Leadership Team
• Final-stage assessment and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Brand strategy development and execution
• Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
• Consumer insights analysis and application
• Budget management and financial acumen
• Cultural fit and alignment with AG Barr's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant brand management experience and achievements
• Demonstrate your understanding of the soft drinks industry and AG Barr's brand portfolio
• Prepare examples of successful brand strategies you have developed and executed in previous roles

ATS Keywords: Brand strategy, brand management, consumer insights, cross-functional team leadership, budget management, soft drinks industry, AG Barr, IRN-BRU, RUBICON, BARR

ASSUMPTION: AG Barr's interview process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, leadership abilities, and cultural fit within the organization. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong understanding of brand management, consumer behavior, and the soft drinks industry.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
• CRM and project management software (e.g., Salesforce, Asana, Trello)
• Market research and data analysis tools (e.g., Nielsen, Kantar, Mintel)
• Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the candidate's experience and the needs of the project.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Brilliant: We strive to be brilliant in everything we do
• Always Learning: We never stop learning and improving
• Results Driven: We focus on delivering results that matter
• Relationships Matter: We build strong relationships with our colleagues, customers, and consumers

Work Style:

• Collaborative: We work together to achieve our goals
• Dynamic: We embrace change and adapt to new challenges
• Inclusive: We value diversity and foster an inclusive work environment

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How have you demonstrated your ability to be brilliant in a previous brand management role?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in the market or consumer behavior?
• How do you build and maintain strong relationships with cross-functional teams and external partners?

ASSUMPTION: AG Barr's company values and work style emphasize collaboration, continuous learning, and a focus on results. Candidates who align with these values and demonstrate a strong work ethic will be well-suited to the company's culture.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple brands within a competitive market
• Balancing short-term and long-term brand strategies
• Adapting to changes in consumer behavior and market trends
• Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners

ASSUMPTION: The Senior Brand Manager role presents unique challenges that require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to adapt to change. Successful candidates will be able to navigate these challenges and drive brand growth and success within the AG Barr portfolio.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other brand management positions in its focus on the soft drinks industry and AG Barr's unique brand portfolio
• AG Barr's commitment to being a responsible business sets it apart from other companies in the industry
• Career progression opportunities within AG Barr may vary depending on the specific brand or category within the company's portfolio

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other brand management positions, its unique focus on the soft drinks industry and AG Barr's brand portfolio makes it a distinct opportunity for candidates seeking to make an impact in a specific market segment.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a brand relaunch campaign for IRN-BRU, targeting a younger audience
• Conducting market research to identify opportunities for innovation within the RUBICON brand, focusing on sustainable and ethical sourcing
• Collaborating with the Innovation team to launch a new product line under the BARR brand, targeting health-conscious consumers

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and opportunities available to the Senior Brand Manager within AG Barr's portfolio of brands.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current brand strategies for IRN-BRU, RUBICON, and BARR, and how they align with the company's vision and goals?
• How does AG Barr support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly within the Marketing department?
• What are the key priorities for the Senior Brand Manager role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?
• How does AG Barr approach innovation and new product development within its brand portfolio?
• What is the company's approach to sustainability and ethical sourcing, and how does this impact the brand management strategy?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates a candidate's interest in the role and their commitment to driving brand success within AG Barr's portfolio.

📌 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 brand management experience and achievements
• Prepare examples of successful brand strategies you have developed and executed in previous roles
• Research AG Barr's brand portfolio and the soft drinks industry to demonstrate your understanding of the market and the company's offerings
• Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the next steps in the interview process

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