Project Commercialization Manager - Hero UK&I (GBR)

About Hero UK&I

You probably know us best through our beloved brands, Deliciously Ella for our range of plant-based food products, our Deliciously Ella app and our delicious recipes, Organix for our tasty `toddler snacking foods and Goodies for fun and tasty pre-schooler snacks. This is a unique opportunity to make a visible impact in a market-leading company that prioritises sustainability, integrity, and natural goodness.

We’re proud to be a certified B Corp, using business as a force for good — for people, communities, and the planet. You’ll find our offices in sunny Bournemouth, and the heart of London with a Deliciously Ella factory in Milton Keynes, where our passionate teams make this delicious magic happen. We’ve been named a Great Place to Work, and we’re seriously proud of the positive culture and business we’ve built together.

About The Role

We are looking for a Project Commercialisation Manager (Marketing) to drive all Hero UK&I (both Early Life and Wholesome Goodness projects across our 3 brands,Deliciously Ella, Organix and Goodies), based innovation / renovation / delist projects to launch – liaising with key stakeholders (Category PCM team, Supply chain, Procurement, Quality, Factory (if applicable) Sales and Marketing) through the stage gate process, in particular at commercialization i.e. from readiness to launch.  

UK Local Review – leadership and coordination: Pro-actively driving the topline view of the annual/rolling inno and reno pipeline, to ensure we are meeting business strategy and targets.  Identification of risks, challenges and planning to mitigate these.

Ensuring all stakeholders are engaged & projects meet relevant targets and timings.  Drive all innovation / renovation / delists to meet the annual / rolling innovation / pipeline strategy and targets.  Drives artwork process on all packaging materials

Key Relationships:

Internal:

• Marketing Team (Design: Packaging)
• PD Team (UK & Europe); Factory Team (DE)
• Quality / Finance
• Group Category Teams / Procurement / Finance
• Sales 

External

• Supply Partners 
• Packaging Suppliers (includes Agencies, Repro Houses, Printers, etc.)
• Print Suppliers

Key Responsibilities:

Total Project Programme Overview

• Own the total programme view of all Hero UK & I  based innovation / renovation / delists / packaging projects – facilitating local monthly reviews, managing the innovation database (IMT) and providing accurate reporting at a programme level to deliver against the strategic objectives (as defined by Marketing Director / MD / SD / FD / Category team)
• Liaise with Hero Category Project Managers to ensure projects are managed through Global Stage Gate process i.e. Local Review consolidation pre monthly Stage Gate and feedback to local team.

Project Management

• Drive the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of projects across all UK food / packaging projects – including Transform (major innovation), Tweak (renovation e.g. flavour changes) and Twist (renovation – small pack changes) projects
• Working with Marketing teams to ensure the innovation pipeline is sufficient to deliver the commercial targets of the business, driving prioritization of projects and the appropriate resource management (UK).
• Partner with Category PCMs (once projects have passed through Consumer Potential Gate) / and or Project Leaders to align on the Critical Time Path (CTP) and tracking projects through the Hero Stage Gate Process; to feedback and align inputs in the following meeting forums: UK Local Review, Commercial planning working session, Portfolio Alignment meeting.
• Disciplined project management approach to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of commercialization (from readiness to post-launch in stage gate process), working closely with cross-functional teams.  

Process Improvement

• Help refine and introduce new ways of working that make our projects flow more efficiently and bring teams together.
• Identify, quantify, and elevate areas of risk on the project to the business whilst mitigating risk where possible e.g. MOQ management (particularly at launch).
• Providing progress reviews, early identification of problems and solutions. Working closely with Supply Chain to mitigate any issues identified i.e. run rate post launch vs. required MOQ.
• Ensure flow of communications to key stakeholders
• Manage UK inputs to the Hero Stage-Gate Process
• Facilitate local innovation review meetings (e.g. coordinate dates, moderate meetings, build up database for gate decisions, write minutes and consolidate inputs to Category consolidation deck, feedback on info from Category gate meetings).
• Train new staff on the Stage-Gate process 
• Continuously “role model” Stage-Gate, its principles, remind people to stick to the rules, and intervene when discipline is lacking 

Packaging & Print

• To manage the UK Design To Print (D2P) process for all our foods in AMS (i.e. Artwork Management System); to include artwork, repro, print and supply to Third Party Manufacturers / Printers.For UK led projects: Create and validate the LIS document for all new UK packaging projects.

For Category led projects: Coordinate and validate the UK inputs to category-led LIS documents (e.g. Goodies).

For all projects ; ensure there is a final marketing leadership sign-off against a printed proof (pre-final colour proof/Cromalin).

To manage the provision of samples of print materials and packaging mock up’s as required to the wider business 

• Work closely with Group Design Operations Manager to ensure UK needs are met and aligned with Group packaging and print guidelines.  In parallel ensuring key artwork, repro agencies, printers and suppliers are working to UK design goals to deliver quality results.
• OPRL – Generate recycling information for pack artworks and keep up to date on usage guidelines, communicating any changes internally and to agencies where relevant.
• Brandbank – Using design files, liaise with Brandbank to either update or create Pack Shots/MRIs for new artworks. Ensure all aspects of the Brandbank product profile are correct and agree ‘Go Live’ date once approved

Other key forums

• Country Demand Review – Champion NFD, nurture SKUs, delists and broader portfolio change projects.
• Commercial planning working sessions – Consolidate key information into project commercialization considerations i.e. ranging windows and/or SKU listing opportunities 
• Portfolio Alignment Meeting -  Pre-local review alignment on gate change inputs with Sales
• Marketing meeting – Sharing programme overview and progress versus business targets.
• Local Review – Monthly leadership of UK SLT forum. 
• Weekly UK Catch up – Led by Category PCM 

Sustainability

• Responsible for ensuring that sustainable and ethical practices are a key function of your day to day role. As the interface with our customers and consumers you will have a clear understanding of Hero UK&I  sustainability policies, plans and practices and communicate these with stakeholders, as well as support delivery of initiatives. You will ensure best practice is delivered on all projects so excessive packaging, wastage, poor supply chain practices and potential write-off concerns are not incurred.

About You

• This role which requires a strong self starter with excellent project management and communication (written and verbal) skills.  
• Matrix working across Hero Group will require very strong communication & leadership skills.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree qualified or with equivalent experience.
• Project Management qualification desirable.
• FMCG experience 
• Project management experience within innovation
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex, cross functional, key business projects or initiatives.

Other Skills

• Excellent project management skills – high attention to detail with the ability to see the bigger picture
• Energy, tenacity and enthusiasm
• An ambitious, team playing attitude
• Keen problem solving skills- able to use “gut instinct” balanced with analytical evidence
• Strong influencing and communication skills at all levels and cross-functionally
• Willingness to broaden experience outside of the role as required
• Personal integrity
• Cultural fit with Organix
• Good planning, presentation and organisational skills 

What we offer 

Our Values

Our values are at the heart of everything we do. Developed through an inclusive process involving colleagues from across the business, they guide how we work, collaborate, and succeed together. They reflect who we are today and the future we are building:

Create Wow - We go beyond expectations and strive to make a meaningful impact

Everyone Hero – Every individual matters and every contribution counts.

Nourish Others – We support, inspire, and help each other grow.

Take Responsibility - We own our actions and outcomes, individually and as a team

You will have the opportunity to be part of a mission driven business at a hugely exciting point in our growth trajectory, where your voice is heard and where you’re able to actively impact our business.  Some great perks in working for Hero UK&I include:  

• A competitive salary
• 25 days holiday. You will also get an extra day’s holiday to be taken on or around your birthday.
• Free Deliciously Ella App Access for you and five friends and family 
• Private Medical Insurance
• Contributory pension scheme and access to free pension advice
• Access to Grocery Aid employee assistance resources.
• Massages & Reflexology when you are in our Bournemouth office
•  Psycle Classes when you are in our London office
• Home & Tech Scheme
• Nursery Benefit
• Bike to Work and Electric Car Schemes
• Car Park benefits at our Bournemouth Office
• Hybrid Working and Flexible Bank Holidays
• Team breakfasts and Lunches and unlimited access to tea, coffee, milk, fruit and snacks from all of our UK brands (depending on availability).
• Learning Opportunities and Study Leave

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 
At Hero UK&I we are committed to cultivating and maintaining a culture that is inclusive and diverse.  We celebrate differences and continually support all team members to be proud of who they are.  We pride ourselves on equal employment opportunity regardless of gender, sex, age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or social class.  We hire the best people based on an evaluation of their abilities and effectiveness, nothing else.