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Innovations Marketing Manager specialising in new product creation and delivery.
James Gentle
,
Tring, United Kingdom
Experience
Other titles
Skills
I'm offering
• Over 20 years of brand marketing and commercial experience within the food & drinks industry
• Passionate leader with a burning curiosity to understand the consumer better and re-imagine the future
• Entrepreneurial flair to identify new opportunities and navigate challenges to bring concepts to market
• Passionate leader with a burning curiosity to understand the consumer better and re-imagine the future
• Entrepreneurial flair to identify new opportunities and navigate challenges to bring concepts to market
Markets
United Kingdom
Language
English
Fluently
Ready for
Larger project
Ongoing relation / part-time
Full time contractor
Available
My experience
2017 - ?
freelance
Freelance Brand Marketing Consultant
unknown.
Supporting business owners to define their brand purpose and enhance their communications, plus ad hoc agency and insight consultancy.
Professional development, including working towards becoming a CIM chartered marketer.
Nine months fixed term contact with Britvic as outlined below.
Professional development, including working towards becoming a CIM chartered marketer.
Nine months fixed term contact with Britvic as outlined below.
Marketing, Development
2017 - 2018
job
Senior Brand Manager J2O Spritz (FTC)
Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd.
Drove the turnaround of J2O Spritz sub-brand, a key piece of innovation and growth lever for the J2O brand.
• Led cross-functional teams to fast-track the delivery of NPD, with hands-on management of design, packaging, project planning and all launch assets, including category story and brand sell-in. Delivering the J2O Spritz multi-pack bottles project on time, at enhanced margins and significantly ahead of budget plans.
• Built a 3-year value creation strategy, to inform brand plans and define priorities for profitable growth.
• Led cross-functional teams to fast-track the delivery of NPD, with hands-on management of design, packaging, project planning and all launch assets, including category story and brand sell-in. Delivering the J2O Spritz multi-pack bottles project on time, at enhanced margins and significantly ahead of budget plans.
• Built a 3-year value creation strategy, to inform brand plans and define priorities for profitable growth.
Design, Innovation, Budget, Packaging, Management, Turnaround, Growth, Npd, LED, Manager
2015 - 2017
job
Head of Innovations
Domino's Pizza UK & Ireland Ltd.
Newly created role reporting to the Sales & Marketing Director, in which I championed innovations strategy, consumer insight and the creation, development, and execution of new products.
Innovations strategy:
• Led innovations strategy identifying long-term growth opportunities for the Domino's brand.
• Pioneered new thinking to future proof the Domino's brand, beyond its existing operating model. Conceiving and developing two new concept store formats, collaborating with retail design consultants and franchise partners. This included creating a virtual 3D store, to test concepts via consumer research and aid sell-in to key stakeholders. Concept learnings informed immediate new store builds as well as laying down the blueprint for stores of the future.
• Directed an external food consultant to develop a full menu for the two future store concepts, which included new faster ways to cook and prepare pizza.
New product development/Team:
• Managed NPD team, addressing resource gaps by up-skilling and strengthening the product development team from 2 to 4, as part of step changing food innovation at Domino's.
• Defined NPD/menu strategies to maintain a competitive edge and drive value growth from the existing operating model. Delivering an innovations pipeline to satisfy both short and long-term objectives.
• Developed and successfully launched the 'Italiano' range. A complete range of pizzas, sides, and desserts which drove incremental sales and enhanced the quality and freshness credentials of the Domino's brand. A £50m+ sub-brand, that remains an integral part of the menu today.
• Embedded an innovations process within the business, ensuring accountabilities were clear and stage gates adhered to.
• Guided the development team to produce commercially viable and exciting product concepts that consumers would love. Placing emphasis on front end consumer understanding and market trends.
• Led the 'Health' imperative within the business, to ensure existing and new products were future proof, meeting government regulations as well as consumers appetite for healthier products.
Innovations strategy:
• Led innovations strategy identifying long-term growth opportunities for the Domino's brand.
• Pioneered new thinking to future proof the Domino's brand, beyond its existing operating model. Conceiving and developing two new concept store formats, collaborating with retail design consultants and franchise partners. This included creating a virtual 3D store, to test concepts via consumer research and aid sell-in to key stakeholders. Concept learnings informed immediate new store builds as well as laying down the blueprint for stores of the future.
• Directed an external food consultant to develop a full menu for the two future store concepts, which included new faster ways to cook and prepare pizza.
New product development/Team:
• Managed NPD team, addressing resource gaps by up-skilling and strengthening the product development team from 2 to 4, as part of step changing food innovation at Domino's.
• Defined NPD/menu strategies to maintain a competitive edge and drive value growth from the existing operating model. Delivering an innovations pipeline to satisfy both short and long-term objectives.
• Developed and successfully launched the 'Italiano' range. A complete range of pizzas, sides, and desserts which drove incremental sales and enhanced the quality and freshness credentials of the Domino's brand. A £50m+ sub-brand, that remains an integral part of the menu today.
• Embedded an innovations process within the business, ensuring accountabilities were clear and stage gates adhered to.
• Guided the development team to produce commercially viable and exciting product concepts that consumers would love. Placing emphasis on front end consumer understanding and market trends.
• Led the 'Health' imperative within the business, to ensure existing and new products were future proof, meeting government regulations as well as consumers appetite for healthier products.
Marketing, Design, Product development, Innovation, Research, Retail, Test, Sales, Embedded, 3D, Growth, Development, Npd, Health, LED, UP
2012 - 2015
job
Innovations Marketing Manager
KP Snacks Ltd.
Acted as a change agent within the Marketing Team, under new Intersnack ownership, to accelerate growth from innovations.
• Set the future business growth agenda via defining and communicating innovations strategies to deliver 10% of business revenue
• Created a compelling innovations pipeline to drive future growth for the 'Family brands' which included one of KP's most important brands Hula Hoops
• Led cross-functional internal and external teams, to realise concepts from initial validation right through the development process to launch
• Employed new ways of working to generate fresh ideas, whilst ensuring that concepts were both practical and commercially viable
• Introduced Hula Hoops Puft to market, driving brand growth and creating a £10m+ sub-brand
• Conceived and developed Golden Hoops ahead of its launch in 2016
Head of Marketing & Innovation
• Set the future business growth agenda via defining and communicating innovations strategies to deliver 10% of business revenue
• Created a compelling innovations pipeline to drive future growth for the 'Family brands' which included one of KP's most important brands Hula Hoops
• Led cross-functional internal and external teams, to realise concepts from initial validation right through the development process to launch
• Employed new ways of working to generate fresh ideas, whilst ensuring that concepts were both practical and commercially viable
• Introduced Hula Hoops Puft to market, driving brand growth and creating a £10m+ sub-brand
• Conceived and developed Golden Hoops ahead of its launch in 2016
Head of Marketing & Innovation
Marketing, Innovation, Growth, Development, LED, Agent, Manager
2007 - 2012
job
Marketing Manager
Hain Celestial UK Limited.
Delivered a complete turnaround of the flagship Linda McCartney brand, from £5m and in steep decline, to £18m and strong growth. This coupled with major own brand wins drove the frozen foods business to £30m and profitability.
Head of Marketing & Innovation
• Defined UK vision and strategy, which gained buy-in from the US board for a new business model This included the expansion of the Linda McCartney brand into the chilled category plus £2m investment in own brand desserts production
• Led the team to deliver enhanced margins from NPD. This enabled profitable expansion of the Linda McCartney brand into new subcategories
• Headed the Linda McCartney multimedia campaign, 'The search for the UK's tastiest meat-free dish', driving a 20% increase in sales at a time of category decline
• Established Hain Celestial as a category partner for own brand meat free and desserts, by investing in market and consumer knowledge to increase credibility with customers
Marketing Manager
• Established and built marketing department from scratch, including brand management, category development, and customer service
• Re-engaged the McCartney family with the brand, fostering their support and managing their high expectations
• Identified and managed all NPD for the Linda McCartney brand from concept through to delivery.
• Founded Meat Free Monday in the UK, a highly efficient and effective PR driver for the brand.
• Full responsibility for selection, pitch management, negotiation and appointment of key creative agencies, media and market data & insight providers
Head of Marketing & Innovation
• Defined UK vision and strategy, which gained buy-in from the US board for a new business model This included the expansion of the Linda McCartney brand into the chilled category plus £2m investment in own brand desserts production
• Led the team to deliver enhanced margins from NPD. This enabled profitable expansion of the Linda McCartney brand into new subcategories
• Headed the Linda McCartney multimedia campaign, 'The search for the UK's tastiest meat-free dish', driving a 20% increase in sales at a time of category decline
• Established Hain Celestial as a category partner for own brand meat free and desserts, by investing in market and consumer knowledge to increase credibility with customers
Marketing Manager
• Established and built marketing department from scratch, including brand management, category development, and customer service
• Re-engaged the McCartney family with the brand, fostering their support and managing their high expectations
• Identified and managed all NPD for the Linda McCartney brand from concept through to delivery.
• Founded Meat Free Monday in the UK, a highly efficient and effective PR driver for the brand.
• Full responsibility for selection, pitch management, negotiation and appointment of key creative agencies, media and market data & insight providers
Support, Manager, LED, Production, Campaign, Search, Npd, Development, Growth, Marketing, Turnaround, Service, Sales, Customer service, Management, Pr, Innovation
2001 - 2007
job
Group Brand Manager / Country Manager
Ferrero UK Limited.
Progressed marketing career at Ferrero, delivering growth initiatives across many of the company's flagship and emerging brands.
Country Manager - Ireland & Channel Islands
• Delivered all aspects of the marketing mix via direct management of the Irish distributor - £20m business, with £3m spend
• Successfully launched new products including Raffaello and Happy Hippo in Ireland as test market ahead of UK rollout
Group Brand Manager Kinder Seasonal
• Spearheaded the formulation of seasonal strategy and business plan for Kinder, which included the conception and development of the very successful Kinder Selection Pack
Group Brand Manager Tic Tac & Nutella
Senior Brand Manager Ireland
Country Manager - Ireland & Channel Islands
• Delivered all aspects of the marketing mix via direct management of the Irish distributor - £20m business, with £3m spend
• Successfully launched new products including Raffaello and Happy Hippo in Ireland as test market ahead of UK rollout
Group Brand Manager Kinder Seasonal
• Spearheaded the formulation of seasonal strategy and business plan for Kinder, which included the conception and development of the very successful Kinder Selection Pack
Group Brand Manager Tic Tac & Nutella
Senior Brand Manager Ireland
Marketing, Management, Test, Growth, Development, Formulation, Manager
1995 - 2001
job
Brand Manager
Kraft Foods.
Own brand desserts & confectionery
Account Manager - Direct selling experience responsible for developing the Off-Licence sector
Assistant Brand Manager - Confectionery marketing
Sales Promotion Executive - Retail and food service
Account Manager - Direct selling experience responsible for developing the Off-Licence sector
Assistant Brand Manager - Confectionery marketing
Sales Promotion Executive - Retail and food service
Marketing, Retail, Account Manager, Sales, Service, Manager
My education
1990
-
1994
The University of the West of England
Bachelors, Business Studies
Bachelors, Business Studies
1983
-
1990
Tring School
Secondary, Economics B
Secondary, Economics B
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