- Job Title: Senior eCommerce Specialist - Digital Retail Media & Content - Leeds
- Company: Arla Foods
- Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
- Job Type: Hybrid
- Category: Digital Marketing & eCommerce
- Date Posted: April 10, 2025
- Experience Level: 5-10 years
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing effective eCommerce media plans
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to maximize investment returns
- Ensuring first-class online product imagery and search-optimized brand content
- Leading the UK team on Digital Shelf Analytics and embedding principles in wider teams
- Maximizing efficiency in Retail Media administration
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to thrive in a matrix team environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- 📈 Media Planning & Investment:
- Lead the development and implementation of effective eCommerce media plans
- Collaborate with eCommerce teams, Shopper Marketing, Local Media Planning, and Global Media Buying to track, evaluate, and maximize investment returns
- Interrogate digital retail media rate cards to identify cost efficiency and strategic investment opportunities
- 📊 Retail Media Administration:
- Maximize efficiency in Retail Media administration, including planning, booking, executing, content management, evaluating, and invoicing
- 📈 Digital Shelf Analytics:
- Lead the UK team on Digital Shelf Analytics, collaborating with global eCommerce leads to shape strategy and usage
- Report on key KPIs and lead the eCommerce team on usage, reporting requirements, and strategies
- Lead the wider embedding of Digital Shelf Analytics principles in Arla teams
- 📸 Content Management:
- Lead efforts to ensure first-class online product imagery and search-optimized brand content are consistently implemented across all platforms
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
- Experience: Proven track record in eCommerce, digital marketing, and commercial revenue/trade management
- Required Skills:
- Strong commercial marketing acumen
- Proven experience in strategic and tactical marketing activation
- Excellent communication and decision-making skills
- Strong planning and organizational skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant eCommerce platforms
- Strong entrepreneurial spirit and ability to collaborate in a matrix team environment
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: £55,000 - £65,000 (Based on industry standards for similar roles in Leeds)
- Benefits:
- Competitive salary (salary discussed at application stage)
- 26 days holiday & Bank Holidays
- Hybrid & Flexible working
- Pension contribution matched up to 6%
- 4 x annual salary life assurance
- BUPA healthcare
- Bonus scheme
- Free to use onsite Gym
- Access to discounted products in our Staff Shop
- People agenda commitment to training and development
- Flexible Benefits (buy up to 5 days additional annual leave, reward gateway scheme)
- Cheese hamper at Christmas!
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in Leeds. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Food and Beverage Manufacturing
- Company Size: 10,001+ employees
- Founded: 1861 (as a cooperative)
- Company Description: Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to producing high-quality products while championing sustainability and innovation. With over 23,000 colleagues across 39 countries and 7,624 dairy farmer-owners, Arla 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
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Senior/Managerial level role with potential for growth into leadership positions
- Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the UK eCommerce Manager and collaborates with various cross-functional teams, including eCommerce teams, Shopper Marketing, Local Media Planning, and Global Media Buying
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid working pattern, with a mix of on-site and remote work
- Growth Opportunities: This role offers opportunities to grow within the eCommerce team, take on more responsibilities, and potentially move into leadership positions as the eCommerce function expands
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Hybrid working pattern, with a mix of on-site and remote work
- Office Location(s): Arla Head Office, Leeds, LS10 1AB
- Geographic Context: Leeds is a vibrant city in the UK with a rich cultural scene, excellent shopping, and a thriving food and drink industry. It is well-connected by road, rail, and air, with easy access to the rest of the UK and Europe.
- Work Schedule: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with flexible working hours and the option to work from home some days
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process:
1. Online application submission
2. Phone or video screening with the Talent Acquisition Partner
3. Face-to-face interview with the UK eCommerce Manager and a member of the eCommerce team
4. Final interview with the UK eCommerce Director
- Key Assessment Areas:
- Commercial acumen and strategic thinking
- Ability to collaborate and lead within a matrix team
- Communication and decision-making skills
- Planning and organizational skills
- Application Tips:
1. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant eCommerce, digital marketing, and commercial experience
2. Prepare examples of your achievements in sales, commercial revenue/trade management, and digital marketing
3. Research Arla Foods and the role to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the opportunity
4. Prepare questions to ask during the interview to showcase your interest in the role and company
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
- eCommerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce)
- Digital marketing tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush, Hootsuite)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Arla Foods values include being open, collaborative, and responsible. They strive to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.
- Work Style: Arla Foods fosters a hybrid working environment that encourages flexibility, collaboration, and a healthy work-life balance. They value employees who are driven, entrepreneurial, and able to thrive in a matrix team environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Role-specific Challenges: This role requires strong commercial acumen and the ability to thrive in a matrix team environment. It may involve managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously, requiring excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively.
- Company-specific Challenges: Arla Foods is a large, global organization with a complex matrix team structure. This may present challenges in terms of communication, collaboration, and navigating the organization effectively.
- Location-specific Challenges: Leeds may present challenges in terms of cost of living, commuting, and finding suitable housing, depending on the candidate's personal circumstances.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Role Differentiation: This role focuses on eCommerce media planning, investment, and administration, with a strong emphasis on strategic thinking and commercial acumen. It differs from related roles in its focus on digital retail media and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the eCommerce landscape.
- Industry-specific Context: The food and beverage manufacturing industry is highly competitive and dynamic, with a constant need to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market trends. This role requires a deep understanding of the industry and the ability to stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies.
- Career Path Comparison: This role offers a clear career path for individuals with strong commercial acumen and a proven track record in eCommerce and digital marketing. It provides opportunities for growth within the eCommerce team and potential progression into leadership positions as the eCommerce function expands.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive eCommerce media plan for a major retailer, aligning with key Arla and retailer objectives and maximizing investment returns
- Leading a cross-functional team to optimize online product imagery and search-optimized brand content, resulting in a significant increase in online sales and visibility
- Conducting a thorough analysis of digital retail media rate cards to identify cost efficiency and strategic investment opportunities, leading to a 15% reduction in media spend and a 20% increase in ROI
💡 Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader eCommerce strategy for Arla Foods?
- What are the key challenges facing the eCommerce team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Arla Foods support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role accommodate that?
📝 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through the [Application URL](https://careers.arla.com/job/Leeds-Senior-eCommerce-Specialist-Digital-Retail-Media-&-Content-Leeds/1191471001/)
2. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant eCommerce, digital marketing, and commercial experience
3. Prepare a cover letter addressing your motivation for the role and how your skills and experience make you a strong fit
4. Prepare examples of your achievements in sales, commercial revenue/trade management, and digital marketing to showcase during the interview
5. Research Arla Foods and the role to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the opportunity
6. Prepare questions to ask during the interview to showcase your interest in the role and company
7. Follow up with the Talent Acquisition Partner after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
