Head of Strategic Marketing (12 month FTC)

The Head of Marketing Strategy is responsible for shaping and delivering a long-term, insight-led marketing strategy that drives growth across UK and international B2B markets in the food ingredients sector.

This role combines commercial acumen, market intelligence, and strategic planning to position the business as a trusted partner to food manufacturers and industry stakeholders. It ensures that marketing efforts are aligned with customer needs, innovation pipelines, and global market dynamics.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and lead the global marketing strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and commercial priorities.
• Conduct market, customer, and competitor analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks across key regions and categories.
• Translate strategic insights into actionable marketing plans that support innovation, sales enablement, and brand positioning.
• Collaborate closely with commercial, product development, and innovation teams to ensure marketing strategy supports pipeline development and customer engagement.
• Lead the creation of value propositions, messaging frameworks, and go-to-market strategies for new and existing products.
• Support the development of content and campaigns by providing strategic direction and ensuring consistency across channels and markets.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of marketing initiatives, using data and KPIs to inform continuous improvement.
• Act as a strategic partner to senior leadership, contributing to business planning and growth initiatives.
• Define and activate an international marketing strategy, ensuring brand, product, and category plans are clearly scoped, aligned, and executed across global markets.
• Shape the strategic direction for brand, product, and category development, acting as a gatekeeper for new opportunities to ensure alignment with the company’s product strategy and long-term growth priorities.
• Lead the marketing contribution to strategic projects beyond the core NPD/EPD pipeline, driving cross-functional collaboration on initiatives such as external partnerships, collaborations, and market expansion opportunities.

REQUIRED BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate can communicate complex brand strategy and marketing information clearly to stakeholders and contribute to strategic decision-making of the business.

 They will be adept at analysing marketing data, reaching conclusions that shape the business strategy and direction.

·       Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen
Able to develop and execute marketing strategies that align with business goals and drive revenue growth. Combines market insight with financial awareness to make informed, impactful decisions.

·       Excellent leadership and team development skills
Inspires and guides marketing teams to perform at their best, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement. Skilled in mentoring talent and building high-performing, collaborative teams.

·       Ability to balance long-term strategy with hands-on delivery
Capable of setting a clear strategic direction while remaining actively involved in day-to-day execution. Ensures that plans are not only visionary but also practical and results oriented.

·       Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
Communicates effectively across all levels of the organization and with external partners. Builds trust and alignment by translating marketing initiatives into clear value for stakeholders.

·       Results-driven, adaptable, and collaborative
Focused on achieving measurable outcomes while remaining flexible in a fast-changing environment. Works cross-functionally to deliver integrated solutions that support broader business objectives.

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

 Essential:

International food / beverage marketing experience, particularly in quick service, restaurant chains and commercial / marketing activity to other businesses.

·       Proven senior-level marketing experience within the food / beverage or consumer product industries, preferably in a B2B environment.

·       Track record of leading and managing strategic reviews and contributing to business direction.

·       Experience of marketing to both UK food / beverage service channels and manufacturers or equivalent.

·       Strong experience managing company brand portfolios in addition to operating in an own brand / white label environment.

·       Brand and product knowledge extending to ingredient-based production.

·       Degree qualified in Marketing, Business, or a related field.

·       Coach / mentor marketing and commercial colleagues to improve understanding of marketing strategy and application.

·      

Desirable:

·       Experience supporting growth in new markets.

·       CIM or equivalent professional marketing qualification.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Person(s) / Areas:        

·       All members of the Executive team and Senior leadership team.

·       External trade bodies and marketing agencies / suppliers both in the UK and internationally

·       Public Relations and industry press

·       External business strategists

Indulge in the Sweet Perks of Joining Macphie!

At Macphie, we believe in crafting not only delightful culinary experiences but also providing our team with a recipe for success in their professional lives. Here is a taste of how we'll look after you as part of our Sweet Success:

• Annual Leave: Recharge your batteries with a generous annual leave entitlement of 24 days, plus 8 public holidays, giving you a refreshing total of 32 days to explore, relax, and savour life outside of work.
• Profit-Related Pay (PRP): Your dedication will not go unnoticed! Enjoy conditional PRP, aligning with our company's performance and rewarding your commitment to our shared success.
• Pension Perks: Secure your financial future with our pension enrolment, where you contribute 5%, and we match it with a 3% employer contribution.
• Health and Wellness Buffet: We care about your well-being. Access our Employee Assistance Program, a 24/7 GP line, and indulge in our cycle-to-work scheme. Keep your mind and body in top shape with our Leisure Subsidy Scheme and free fruit offerings.
• Eco-Friendly Commute: Embrace sustainable living with our electric car charging stations. Enjoy the convenience of free parking while contributing to a greener planet.
• Lifelong Learning: Cultivate your mind with our company further education scheme and unlock opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Family First: We support your journey into parenthood with enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay.
• Exclusive Employee Benefits: Revel in exclusive benefits like an education bursary via our employee trust and Funeral Concierge provided by Everest Funeral Concierge Service, a brand-new benefit.
• Beyond Probation: Once you have passed probation over the initial three months, you will then be able to unlock an array of group benefits, including a health Cash plan via Westfield Health, and 3 x death in service life assurance.

To see all of the Macphie employee benefits please click here.

And now, let us talk about what we need from you:

Like every employer, legally, we require to check and confirm that you have the right to work in the UK. If we offer you a job and you accept, there are some checks that we need to complete before you can start with us. In addition to the above, we will also collect satisfactory employment references.