Junior Product Manager Job at London Full Time

What is THISTM?

THISTM is a fast-paced, VC-backed leader in producing plant-based food. Meat-alternatives, to be exact plus a raft of new products in the high growth wholefood sector. Our products are at the leading-edge of the plant-based category in terms of taste, texture and appearance. Here’s our insta, for a quick stalk – www.instagram.com/this.uk

It’s worth mentioning that since our launch in June 2019, the company has experienced extremely significant growth in revenue. In 2023, THISTM topped The Grocer and Alantra’s annual Fast 50 list, a ranking of the country’s fastest-growing food and drink companies on two-year sales growth. We have strong aspirations to continue this growth trajectory as we aim to be the number 1 plant-based brand in the UK and beyond and we believe we have the team and investment to achieve this.

At our core, our vision is to have a world where animals aren’t food and the environment is protected.

Our mission statement to guide us to getting there is:

“We will lead a revolution with our ridiculously delicious and nutritious plant-based food.”

What’s with this role?

As Junior Product Manager, you look after THISTM’ products from start to finish, across all phases of their lifecycle. This role sits within our Innovation team (reporting into the Senior Product Marketing Manager) but works closely with all teams, in particular our Marketing team, and you are responsible for the successful marketing of new products and the continuous improvement of our existing portfolio – leveraging all elements of the marketing mix.

From concept origination through to post launch review, you are a key contributor to the stage and gate process, always representing the “voice of the consumer”, ensuring that all decisions place them at the centre while answering the strategic needs of THISTM business in a highly competitive category. You will also be working with the marketing activation team to devise support plans for launch.

What will you be getting up to?

• NPD and portfolio strategy: You will support the Senior Product Marketing Manager in portfolio performance analysis and identify corrective actions as well as longer-term strategic initiatives to drive growth. As such, you will support on strategic activities such as Annual Brand Planning, NPD Pipeline creation and Portfolio Management.
• Opportunity and white space analysis: You monitor performance of core portfolio as well as NPD in the context of the category and run competitive analysis to identify white space opportunities in line with THISTM strategy and positioning.
• Consumer insights: You ensure consumer centricity always, placing our consumers and their needs at the heart of everything we do, be it innovation or renovation. As such, you continuously review and analyse market, category, competitor and consumer data from internal and external resources (e.g. press articles, conferences, webinars, store visits, Circana, Kantar, IPSOS etc.) to generate insights that help drive strategic decisions. In addition, you will be responsible for in house consumer research/concept testing through VYPR, focus groups and social media polls.
• Stage and Gate: You are involved in all stages of the Stage and Gate process for the products (EPD and NPD) that you manage. This includes analysis of performance (EPD), development of the consumer proposition, briefing and collaboration with the Development team and Packaging Manager, concept testing, briefing the Marketing Activation team to devise launch plans, monitoring launch performance and post-launch analysis. You will also contribute to project timelines and ensure workstreams are delivered on time and in line with the critical path. Where products are being renovated through EPD, you will ensure that any changes to the product are beneficial to the consumer (e.g. a shorter, cleaner ingredients list without impacting the product experience).
• Management of freelance designers: You will be responsible for the management of our 2 freelance designers ensuring that work is complete on time and to a good standard. You will be responsible for managing the daily workload/prioritisation, invoicing and holiday rotas.
• Photography: You will manage photography for packaging assets, including recipe and product shoots, creating shot lists, coordinating shopping lists and managing budgets and invoices to ensure delivery against the critical path. You will ensure all photography is on brand and approved by the Marketing Director, with recipe imagery that is trend-led, accessible and inspirational. You will also support the Marketing team with lifestyle shoots, ensuring products are presented at their best and aligned with brand standards.
• Artwork management: You will be involved in the artwork process across your projects, including copywriting, brief creation, sign-off and briefing designers. You will ensure all packaging is on brand, compliant and communicates key product messages, taste and health benefits through close collaboration with Packaging, Innovation and Technical teams. You will also be responsible for making sure FTPs are hit on time. In addition, you will be responsible for the creation of optimised product images and Brandbank management for the entire portfolio.
• Product to market: As part of your projects, you will work closely with the Marketing Activation team. You will be responsible for briefing the Marketing Activation team, providing clear direction on the product and its key features and benefits. You will review and challenge activation plans and outputs to ensure they are aligned to objectives and fit for purpose.
• Budget management: Responsible for managing annual renewals for platforms such as Brandbank and VYPR and ensuring marketing budget is up to date and accurate.

What are we looking for?

• Someone who is enthusiastic and energetic, keen to make a difference and contribute to the success of the THISTM brand.
• A self-starter who is curious, proactive and able to work independently, taking ownership and driving projects forward. You will be comfortable analysing large amounts of data to generate insights and key takeaways.
• A focused team player who is able to work cross-functionally, forward-plan and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Experience within Product Marketing/NPD and the stage and gate process is essential.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly within artwork and packaging, with experience in copywriting and briefing creative assets.

Alignment with our company values:

• Be Kind: We support and include each other, we’re honest and give feedback, we’re considerate and act with love and trust, we have fun, and we look after the planet.
• Be Brave: We’re adaptable and embrace change, we’re resilient and have a growth mindset, we think creatively and speak up, we change course if we need to, and we learn and grow.
• Be Focused: We always drive towards our mission and vision, we make sustainable long-term decisions, we deliver for our consumers by prioritising the right things, we think business-minded – brand and consumer, and we own our own roles.
• Be Passionate: We’re ambassadors of our company and products, we’re THISTM geeks and experts, we’re purpose-led, and we’re aware of our impact on the outside world.

From our side

• A competitive salary that fairly recognises your experience and potential.
• 25 days paid Holiday Allowance, plus the 8 bank holidays, plus 1 paid Wellbeing Day a month to take off to dedicate to yourself. That’s a total of 45 paid days off per full year – we care about our team’s wellbeing, so we make sure you have time to fully switch off, rest, and recharge.
• Hybrid working – 3 days (Tues, Wed, Thu) in the office – this role will also require the odd Monday in, around 1 per month for innovation team meetings or other ad hoc events.
• Flexible working hours – We’re not a 9-5. Our focus is on your ability to deliver for the business, not your ability to keep strict working hours.
• Private healthcare
• Life assurance

The chance to have a meaningful impact

As a relatively small, albeit growing, team you’ll be exposed to, and have the chance to contribute towards, challenges and projects at all levels and in all areas of the business. A good idea is a good idea, regardless of the experience or seniority of who came up with it.

We’d love to hear from you, so feel free to apply with your CV and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

THIS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion hiring commitment

We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our team members and strive to create an environment that encourages authenticity, collaboration, and growth. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in our industry. If you need any adjustments to the recruitment process to help you perform at your best, please let us know – we’re here to support you.