Brand Manager - Medior (Freelance)

About ekaterra

With an annual turnover of around €2bn, ekaterra is the world’s largest tea business, with world-class, purpose-driven brands such as Lipton, Pukka, Tazo, T2 and PG Tips. ‘eka’ is a word taken from the Sanskrit language which means unity and one purpose, while ‘terra’ represents the earth and nature. As ekaterra we are truly united in one purpose: growing a world of wellbeing through the regenerative power of plants.

In July 2022, CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII took over the full ownership of the ekaterra business from its previous owner, Unilever. As a standalone entity with a dedicated single-category focus, ekaterra is even better positioned to lead the tea industry, delivering higher growth and value, and a greater impact on the wider world. With 11 production factories in four continents and tea growing estates in three countries, ekaterra is a profitable and growing business whose brands reach hundreds of millions of consumers. It has a presence in over 100 countries.

Under the ownership of CVC, ekaterra has an exciting future ahead with opportunities for increased investments in our iconic brands, our people, and our capabilities.  Combining the strength and scale of our brands with a focus on speed and agility, ekaterra is brewing a corporate start-up mindset that’s opening-up new opportunities for its people to flourish every day.

At ekaterra, we put consumer love at the heart of every decision. We celebrate diverse thinkers who take personal ownership to connect ideas and make impactful things happen; people who share our values around humanity and courage and give their commitment to nurturing the wellbeing of all. In return, we offer a working culture that gives our people freedom and flexibility, and where they can grow both personally and professionally to master their field.

Be part of our amazing blend. Come and grow yourself and, in turn, help us to grow a world of wellbeing.

The legal separation of Unilever’s Tea Division took place per July 2022. Until now, de payments and shippings from our Tea brands to retailers/customers ran through Unilever. In the upcoming months ekaterra will establish its own systems and processes to run these tasks on its own and enables the transition of it from Unilever tot ekaterra.

Most importantly is a smooth transition of all activities and processes from Unilever to ekaterra, whilst service to retailers/customers continuous without disruption. Workstreams are supporting this transition for Sales, Marketing, Category Management, Supply Chain and Customer Service.

Your Role: 

As a marketing manager ekaterra Benelux you will be responsible for marketing across Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg
 

Competitive sustainable growth 

Drive sustainable growth across  markets while increasing market share, awareness and other marketing KPIs across Lipton, Pukka and other local brands. 
 

Category development  

ekaterra being a market leader in the tea category. This role is responsible for increasing household penetration and consumption occasions to grow the entire tea category. 
 

Multi Channel marketing 

Creating and driving marketing programs/campaigns across OOH (Horeca), retail and Ecommerce using both ATL and BTL. 

Innovation driver 

The Marketing Lead is responsible for local innovations including renovations which will ensure product and brand leadership. The role will also be responsible for disruptive innovations helping ekaterra be the first mover in new products which help expand the tea consumer base. 

Multi cultural, Multi country marketing 

The Marketing Lead is directly responsible for ekaterra’s marketing in Netherlands. 

Leverage Expert team 

The marketing Lead needs to work with global and local experts in market research, media, and digital to build and execute the annual marketing calendar. 

Marketing Operations 

Partner with customer marketing and key account teams. Input into customer stories and customer development plans. 

Your Key Tasks: 

• Create the annual marketing calendar, drive innovations and own the Brand at the Europe marketing hub level. 
• Interface with market unit head and Marketing Director EU to drive local business growth. 
• Stakeholder management within the cross functional business teams to drive the business plan.  
• Work with the market research team to mine local consumer insights and input into both global and local marketing programs  
• Manage a brand team that will drive communication and innovation for the hub. 

Scope and key interfaces for this role: 

Scope 

• Build and lead the portfolio level marketing plan for Benelux
• Lead a marketing team of 2 people and 1 intern

Key interfaces

• Internal: 
• Global: 
• Reporting to General Manager Benelux 
• Dotted line reporting to Market Unit head 
• Global Brand custodians  
• Local Cross functional teams – EG: supply chain, finance. 
• Global Cross functional leadership team  
• Local marketing expert team (Market research, Digital, etc) 
• External: Customers, Creative and Media agencies  

Required Knowledge and Experiences: 

• Commercial degree in marketing.  
• Experience in a FMCG business at least 3-4 years at sr. brand manager level   
• Marketing leadership experience  
• Proven track record of delivering topline and marketing KPIs (driving share and penetration)  
• Leading a cross functional leadership team 
• Experience in managing agencies 
• Experience in managing digital channels and programs: Digital demand creation and fulfilment 
• Experience within the beverages/ tea category is a prerequisite 
• Channel marketing experience is a prerequisite 
• B2B experience- Food Solutions is preferred 

Required Skills: 

• Functional and technical knowledge 
• Marketing: Brand building marketing.  
• Digital marketing/ demand creation. 
• Effective communication and negotiation skills  
• Ability to inspire a team 
• P&L – financial acumen  
• Language Requirements: English 
• Embrace a high growth mindset with strong love for consumers, shoppers and customers  
• Ability to build positive and impactful partnership with agencies  
• Have strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills with diverse, multi-functional stakeholders  
• End to end marketing management, ability to understand the big picture but also comfortable with details and managing the operations 

Our values: 

• Sustainability 
• Fun loving 
• Risk taking ability 
• Simple thinking 
• Transparent and fair 
• Innovative 
• Promote diversity 
• Ownership and accountability 
• Entrepreneurial