Hamsons, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Brand Development Manager – Europe
Location: United Kingdom (Hybrid), Territory: United Kingdom & Europe
Employment Type: Full-Time
Eligibility: Must hold a valid UK passport
Travel Requirement: High (Extensive European travel required)
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Brand Development Manager – Europe to lead the expansion of Zebra Basmati Rice across key European markets, with a primary focus on Asian, ethnic, and specialty grocery retailers. This is a hybrid role based in the UK, requiring frequent and extensive travel across Europe, alongside recurring visits to our UK head office. The successful candidate will play a critical role in building regional brand presence, securing shelf space, managing distributor relationships, and executing localized go‑to‑market strategies across diverse European markets.
Key Responsibilities – Brand Expansion & Market Development
* Lead the rollout and growth of Zebra Basmati Rice across European markets, particularly within Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and ethnic grocery channels
* Identify and onboard new distributors, wholesalers, and key retail partners across Europe
* Develop and execute country‑specific brand entry strategies, tailored to local consumer behavior and retail dynamics
* Drive in‑store visibility, product placement, planograms, and shelf optimization
Retail & Distributor Management
* Build and maintain strong relationships with ethnic grocery chains, independent specialty retailers, regional distributors and importers
* Negotiate listings, pricing structures, promotional support, and trade terms
* Coordinate sampling programs, in‑store activations, and regional promotions
* Monitor sell‑through, velocity, and replenishment cycles in collaboration with internal teams
Cultural & Market Adaptation
* Adapt brand messaging, packaging positioning, and promotional strategies to suit language, cultural, and regional preferences
* Provide market feedback on SKU performance, pack sizes, pricing sensitivity, competitive landscape
* Ensure brand consistency while allowing for localized execution
Internal Collaboration & Reporting
* Work closely with sales leadership, marketing teams, supply chain & logistics, data & analytics teams
* Provide regular reporting on market performance, expansion progress, distributor activity, competitive intelligence
* Participate in strategic planning sessions at the UK head office
Required Experience & Qualifications
* 3+ years of experience in FMCG/Food & Beverage, ideally within rice, grains, staples, or ethnic food categories
* International or multi‑market brand expansion experience
* Proven track record of developing brands across multiple European markets
* Strong understanding of international grocery retail environments, ethnic & specialty food distribution channels, product placement, merchandising, and trade marketing
* Experience working across different cultures, languages, and consumer profiles
* Ability to operate independently in field‑based roles while aligning with HQ strategy
* Valid UK passport (mandatory)
Key Skills & Competencies
* Strong commercial and negotiation skills
* Strategic thinker with hands‑on execution capability
* Excellent communication and relationship‑building abilities
* High adaptability to regional and cultural nuances
* Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage extensive travel
* Data‑driven mindset with the ability to translate insights into action
* Entrepreneurial attitude with a growth‑focused mentality
Travel & Work Structure
* Extensive travel across Europe is required and expected
* Hybrid working model: field‑based across European markets with recurring visits to the UK head office for planning, reviews, and collaboration
* Flexibility to travel frequently and manage varying schedules is essential
What We Offer
* Opportunity to lead European expansion for a well‑established international FMCG brand
* High‑impact role with autonomy and strategic influence
* Long‑term growth opportunities within a global food business
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