Advert:
Portfolio Manager – Makes Friendly Stuff
Hybrid | Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire | Full-time, Permanent
At Ella’s Kitchen, we make food that helps little ones grow up happy, healthy and loving food. We’re now looking for a Portfolio Manager to take ownership of an exciting part of our range and help shape the future of Ella’s across the UK and international markets.
This is a brilliant opportunity for an experienced FMCG product or brand manager who loves turning insight into winning products, building ranges that perform, and putting kids and families at the heart of every decision.
Who we are
Ella’s Kitchen was founded by Paul Lindley with one big mission:
to improve children’s lives through better relationships with food.
From our Barns near Henley-on-Thames, our team of just under 80 people has grown Ella’s into an £80m+ brand, sold across the UK, Scandinavia and the BeNeLux. We’re proud to be:
1. A certified B Corp
2. In the Sunday Times Best Companies Top 100 for five years running
3. Part of the Hain Celestial Group
We’re entrepreneurial, purpose-led and guided by strong values — and we’re looking for someone who shares that mindset.
About the role
Reporting to the Group Portfolio Manager, you’ll own a segment of the Ella’s portfolio, shaping and delivering a best-in-class range that meets the needs of parents and carers today and in the future.
You’ll be responsible for building a 3-year innovation and renovation strategy, leading new product development, and ensuring our ranges are set up for commercial success with our retail partners.
This is a hybrid role, based from our beautiful Barns in Oxfordshire.
What you’ll be doing
Portfolio leadership
4. Own and shape the 3-year EPD & NPD strategy for your part of the portfolio
5. Use category, shopper and performance data to identify opportunities, gaps and risks
6. Track commercial performance and recommend range changes, delists and optimisation
7. Turn consumer insight and trends into clear portfolio decisions
Innovation & product development
8. Own and lead projects within your sub-segment, from idea to launch
9. Create compelling, insight-led product and pack propositions
10. Work with the Innovation team to develop strong 8P briefs
11. Lead the delivery of stand-out packaging and formats
12. Own on-pack messaging and claims, ensuring they are compliant, clear and motivating
13. Always champion our consumers — Kids First, always
Ready-to-sell & launch excellence
14. Partner with the Group Portfolio Manager to create inspiring retailer sell-in stories
15. Own the portfolio playbook and lead NPD handovers to Sales, Comms, CX and Shopper teams
16. Build and deliver post-launch performance reviews using commercial, consumer and operational data
Being part of the Friends Team
17. Own and maintain portfolio induction materials
18. Champion portfolio performance across the business
19. Collaborate, contribute and bring your passion to the wider Friends team
What we’re looking for
You’ll bring:
20. Product or portfolio management experience within FMCG
21. A strong ability to use data, insight and trends to guide decisions
22. A creative, imaginative approach to innovation and problem-solving
23. Excellent stakeholder influencing and communication skills
24. The ability to manage multiple projects with pace and precision
And just as importantly, you’ll:
25. Be a true team player who loves working cross-functionally
26. Live and breathe our values: Win Together, Own It, Be Curious, Foster Inclusion, We’re Childlike
27. Care deeply about Ella’s mission to help children build healthy relationships with food
What you’ll get
28. Bucket loads of training and development
29. Competitive salary
30. Discretionary bonus
31. Box of Treats — our brilliant benefits package
32. A genuinely fantastic place to work, whether in our Oxfordshire Barns or working remotely
If Ella’s Kitchen feels like your kind of place, and this role ticks your boxes we’d love to hear from you - click Apply Now.
Qualifications
Benefits
Not Specified