Assistant Marketing Manager - Category Marketing (12-Month Fixed Term Contract)

You will be right at the heart of what is coming next in M&S Food, working with the trading teams to understand new products, upcoming launches and longer term category plans.

You will help turn those plans into joined up marketing across channels, keeping the briefs, artwork, approvals and details moving so great ideas land brilliantly. It is a hands on role with plenty of coordination and administration, and a chance to learn how food marketing works from product idea to customer experience in our amazing stores.

• Support the Category Marketing Manager to build and deliver customer relevant plans that bring M&S Food products, launches and seasonal moments to life.
• Build strong relationships with trading teams, buyers and product developers. Keep close to what is launching, what matters commercially and where the category is heading, so marketing plans reflect the real priorities.
• Keep the day to day detail on track: maintain plans and trackers, organise meetings and actions, manage timelines, gather information and chase inputs and approvals with confidence.
• Write clear artwork and campaign briefs, ensuring the product story, customer message, price and promotional details are accurate. Coordinate feedback and manage content and artwork approvals through to final sign off.
• Brief the right marketing channels, including in store, social, CRM, PR and advertising as relevant, and help ensure the same proposition is communicated consistently wherever customers see it.
• Work with Category Marketing, Propositions, Own Brand, Events and other teams to support joined up launches and seasonal activity, following trade planning processes and deadlines.
• Check creative and content carefully before it goes live, flagging issues early and helping resolve them quickly with the right teams.
• Management of food samples for content and working with the creative team on photography briefs.
• Support launch reviews by bringing together results, feedback and practical learnings that can improve the next campaign.

Measures of success

• Briefs and approvals are accurate, clear and delivered on time.
• Launches and campaigns land consistently across agreed channels and within budget.
• Trading and marketing partners have the information they need, when they need it.
• Activity is reviewed against relevant commercial and customer measures.
• Positive feedback from our store colleagues, customers and stakeholders from around the business.

Key relationships and stakeholders

• Retail colleagues
• Category Marketing team
• Marketing channels with Food Marketing, in particular Store, events, proposition and own brand marketing.
• Buyers, trading managers, trade planning, Product Developers and Supply Chain across the Food Group.

• A real interest in food, customers and the products people love to discover at M&S.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail; you enjoy keeping several moving parts under control.
• Confident writing briefs, checking creative and spotting inaccuracies before they reach customers.
• A friendly, proactive way of working with different teams, with the confidence to chase decisions and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable with numbers, commercial information and everyday planning tools.
• Curious, adaptable and happy to roll up your sleeves when priorities change.
• Marketing or retail experience is helpful, but energy, sound judgement and a willingness to learn matter just as much.

Values and behaviours

• Be curious about customers and food.
• Take ownership of the detail, work generously with others and speak up when something can be better.
• Bring pace, care and a positive attitude to every launch.

Work’s a treat!

• Time off that works for you — 25 days' holiday + bank holidays, a paid Wellbeing Day, flexible bank holidays to honour cultural or religious observances, and the option to buy or carry over up to 5 extra days.
• Flexibility & lifestyle — Smart Working with up to 40% from home, and after 12 months, the option to work from abroad for up to 90 days a year.
• Family & life milestones — Enhanced family friendly leave, 3 extra days for your wedding/honeymoon, and an Employee Assistance Programme whenever you need support.
• Financial perks — Pension scheme, Corporate Medical Cash Plan, electric car salary sacrifice scheme, and tax-efficient payroll giving to your favourite charities.
• Growth & recognition — Funding for professional qualifications, monthly Employee of the Month awards (£250 bonus), and referral bonuses of up to £1,500.
• Community & wellbeing — Regular Wellbeing Workshops, 30+ Wellbeing Champions, a paid Volunteer Day, and an online perks platform with discounts on top brands, days out, and gym memberships.

We Value Diversity

We champion and welcome diversity in our workforce and ensure all job applicants receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.

We are not only committed to increasing the visibility and recognition of talent from under-represented groups within our organisation, but the wider industry too.

At the end of the day, we make sure we take time to look after ourselves, each other, and the planet, because we’re always stronger together.

ITG have a number of community groups available to employees and exist to offer a safe space for like-minded colleagues, with shared interests to connect, socialise and check in with each other.

What next?

If you found yourself interested in knowing more, drop us your application and someone from our team will be in touch.