Marketing Director UKI

About Hero UKI

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

We’re proud of our strong heritage of using business as a force for good in the UK food landscape – building brands that connect deeply with consumers; leading our categories in key retail partners; and offering nutritious, delicious snacking options to all age groups. 

You’ll find our offices in the heart of London and in sunny Bournemouth.  We’ve been named a Great Place to Work, and we’re seriously proud of the positive culture and business we’ve built together.

We’re part of the Hero Group, a global family of brands united by a shared mission ‘to delight consumers through honest goodness in every bite’.

About Hero Group

Hero is a global food company, founded in 1886 in Switzerland, specialising in branded nutritional products across the Growing Up and Adult categories.  With a portfolio of trusted brands like Corny, Semper, Goodies, Beech-Nut, Organix, and Deliciously Ella, Hero delivers high-quality, great-tasting food rooted in natural goodness.  With 4,000 team members worldwide, the company is driven by strong values, high performance, and a commitment to doing the right thing - always, without compromise.

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

About the Role

This is a senior leadership role for a dynamic marketer and business builder who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments.  This is a Country-based role that works with the Global category teams to drive brand strategies and in-market execution for Deliciously Ella (Local / Global Brand), Organix (Local Brand), and Goodies (Global Brand).  You will lead all aspects of local marketing, including brand and communication strategy, portfolio management, innovation pipeline, P&L ownership, and team leadership, with a Marketing budget of c. £3m.  You’ll collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, R&D, Quality, and Operations to execute business strategies with excellence.

The Marketing Director Hero UK&I is a pivotal member of the UKI Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the General Manager.  The Marketing Director will also be a key member of the Hero Group Marketing Leadership Team, with the opportunity to engage with peers across markets and collaborate closely with our group centres of expertise (e.g. Consumer Insights, Marketing Excellence). 

The Team

You’ll be leading a dynamic team of three Marketing Managers and a total of 16 talented professionals.  The team is responsible for connecting the brand purpose to business strategy through marketing plan development and activation, content creation and communications.  We have two in-house designers, and we specialise in digital marketing and content with a history of creating an engaged and active community, particularly with Deliciously Ella. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the local brand execution for Deliciously Ella, Organix, and Goodies, ensuring compelling, purpose-driven brand building rooted in consumer insight and driving long term growth.
• Fully own Organix brand development and positioning (a local UKI brand) in collaboration with our Group Category team.
• Develop and execute integrated marketing plans across retail, digital, media, and influencer channels for all brands, elevating brand equity and consumer engagement.
• Own UK portfolio management, identifying opportunities for innovation, renovation, and brand repositioning, in partnership with Category and R&D teams.
• Work closely with Category, Sales, R&D, and Finance teams to align marketing strategies with overall business objectives and drive measurable impact.
• Champion operational marketing excellence, translating consumer and market data into actionable strategies that deliver trial, conversion, and growth.
• Provide inspiring leadership to the marketing team, supporting professional development, performance feedback, and day-to-day coaching.
• Manage marketing budgets, business planning, and forecasting, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for brand and category growth.
• Engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders, fostering strong relationships and cross-functional collaboration.

About You – skills and experiences

• Extensive experience (10+ years) in FMCG marketing and brand management, with a proven track record across both large matrix global organisations and SMEs.
• Experience in, and strong understanding of, working in a category-led operating model.
• Demonstrated expertise in local marketing and brand building, operational marketing, and portfolio management.
• Experience in both nurturing brands from start-up phase to creating growth and brand love for established household names.
• Strong digital awareness and capability for leading the creation of highly engaging content.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and engage across all organisational levels.
• Prior experience in a local leadership team would be a strong plus.
• Highly analytical, with proficiency in market and consumer insight tools and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Experience leading and motivating teams towards shared goals, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.

About You - Personal Attributes

• A fast adopter who embraces change and adapts to evolving business needs.
• A strategic thinker who is decisive, proactive, and results oriented.
• An inclusive leader, able to empower others and build energy and enthusiasm within the team.
• A relationship builder, skilled at navigating complex environments and driving consensus.

Where you’ll work

You’ll be based in our London office on Tottenham Court Road.  Your team will be located across London and Bournemouth, meaning you’ll need to travel to Bournemouth around 1-2 times a month (an overnight stay and travel will be covered by the company).  You may also be expected to travel abroad from time to time for Hero Group meetings.  We have a flexible hybrid working policy, with a minimum of two days per week in the office, but we encourage our team to be together as much as possible.

What We Offer

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:

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
• Private Medical Insurance from day one (plus dental and optical fund)
• Life Assurance and Income Protection
• Contributory pension scheme starting with 5% employer contribution, moving to 10% with service, and access to free pension advice
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• 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
• Salary sacrificd schemes: Childcare support, Home & Tech, Bike to Work and Electric Car Schemes
• On-site parking at our Bournemouth Office
• Hybrid Working and Flexible Bank Holidays

• Summer hours in July and August
• Office perks including team breakfasts and lunches and snacks from all our UK brands
• Learning Opportunities and Study Leave
• Free Deliciously Ella App Access for you and five friends and family

 Equal Opportunity Statement

Hero UK&I is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected category under applicable laws.