Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Marketing Officer: Branded, Own Label & Innovation

Location: Based in the North of England, with regular presence required on-site.

Scope: UK Focus with Select European Market Remit

Remuneration: Significant Six Figure Package + Executive Benefits + LTIP

The Business

Our client is a leading force in the
branded and own-label food industry
, operating across
two core categories
where they already command significant market share with the UK's top grocery retailers. Recently, they have also
entered a third high-growth category
, currently delivering
exceptional double-digit growth
, and widely recognised as one of the most dynamic areas in the market today.

Their three-year strategic ambition is to
master the balance between outstanding quality and unbeatable value
across their core ranges, while simultaneously
pioneering new food development platforms
that unlock entirely new revenue streams. This next phase of growth is supported by
substantial investment,
not just in innovation and product capability, but also in advanced
commercial, insight, and go-to-market solutions
.

A critical differentiator is the
calibre and clarity of the leadership team
. As they move into this next strategic chapter, the opportunity to help shape a bold, insight-led, customer-focused future is significant.

This senior leadership position
reports directly to the Group Managing Director
, with full strategic ownership of the UK business and increasing remit across selected
expanding European markets
.

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to step into a
UK-focused executive leadership role
with full responsibility for brand, marketing, own-label product marketing, NPD strategy, and customer-facing food solutions across
retail and foodservice channels
.

As Chief Marketing Officer, you will lead a multi-functional team across Brand Marketing, Product Management, Innovation, Insights, and Customer Communications. You'll be responsible for creating and executing a joined-up marketing strategy that drives consumer demand, enhances retailer partnerships, and ensures every product, branded or own label, is positioned to win.

You will shape a powerful end-to-end marketing function that combines
customer intimacy with consumer foresight
, and
brand equity with commercial performance
.

Your Key Responsibilities

Develop and deliver a unified brand, innovation, and own-label marketing strategy aligned to the Group's long-term commercial plan

Lead the full marketing function including Brand, Product, Innovation, Insights, Design, and Communications, across both retail and foodservice channels

Build and strengthen masterbrand architecture, consumer messaging, and value propositions across key categories and customer types

Oversee all branded and own-label product marketing, ensuring insight-driven product development, strong packaging strategy, and clear commercial storytelling

Partner closely with Commercial, NPD, Operations, and Finance to align product pipeline and innovation with market needs and consumer trends

Shape the future NPD pipeline, championing ideas that align with brand purpose, market whitespace, and margin growth opportunities

Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic retail and foodservice customers, supporting major tenders and customer campaigns

Act as brand guardian, ensuring consistency across customer decks, category tools, trade media, and activation plans

Lead and develop a high-performing team, embedding a culture of accountability, pace, creativity, and consumer-led thinking

Serve as a key member of the UK Leadership Team and help shape the broader European growth strategy

The Ideal Candidate

Senior marketing leader with experience spanning
brand, own-label and innovation
within UK food manufacturing, chilled categories preferred

Proven success in building brands that connect with consumers, while delivering strong commercial ROI and retailer alignment

Track record of influencing NPD pipelines and leading innovation from concept to shelf, ideally across both branded and own-label

Commercially minded and comfortable operating at the intersection of insight, margin, and consumer behaviour

Experienced working cross-functionally with Sales, Category, NPD and Technical to deliver fully joined-up solutions

Inspiring leadership qualities, able to lead large teams through change, growth and transformation

Agile, customer-aware, and passionate about creating food that matters to consumers and wins in the marketplace

Why Consider This Role?

Step into a pivotal Executive role with UK and selective European remit, reporting directly to the Group MD

Lead the full spectrum of marketing, including brand, product, innovation, insight, and communications

Influence the growth strategy of one of the UK's fastest-moving chilled food businesses, spanning branded and own label

Shape new category development, drive award-winning innovation, and build a marketing function fit for the future

Be part of an ambitious, well-invested business with clear leadership, outstanding talent, and bold long-term goals