SyndicatedFractional ExecutiveLondon, England, United Kingdom
Full-time Category Marketing Manager, Godiva Chocolatier
FULL-TIME EXEC JOB · FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICES SECTOR · LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM

Godiva is hiring a full-time Category Marketing Manager for gifting, reporting to a Director. The role combines portfolio strategy, innovation project leadership and cross-functional collaboration in premium chocolate—a permanent FMCG marketing position, not a fractional or interim executive engagement.
Full-time Category Marketing Manager — the balanced verdict
Why this role stands out
- Godiva is a recognized premium global brand with real scale (5k–10k headcount)
- Clear strategic remit — category growth, innovation pipeline, seasonal execution and channel adaptation
- Structured cross-functional collaboration (Design, Insights, R&D, Supply Chain, regional teams)
- Explicit gifting and occasion-based marketing expertise valued, plus premium retail/Travel Retail exposure
Worth checking before you apply
- Full-time, on-site London role—no flexibility for portfolio/fractional candidates
- Reporting to a Director (not C-suite); this is a category management specialist role, not an interim exec placement
- Heavy project coordination and execution focus; not a short-term interim or strategic advisory seat
Our automated read of the posting text, not the employer's own assessment. Check each point with them before you apply.
How well the role as written suits a fractional or interim arrangement, scored 0–100 by our automated read of the posting text before it went on the board. It rates the posting, not you — we do not score or match candidates.
Full-time Category Marketing Manager — the posting in full
~/original-posting · verbatimsource: fantastic-jobs
What the posting asks · quoted from the listing
- Must-have
Relevant experience in FMCG marketing premium segment, category management, innovation or portfolio management, particularly within chocolate or confectionery.
- Must-have
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate consumer, market and performance data into actionable recommendations.
- Must-have
Understanding of gifting behaviour, occasion-based marketing and seasonal planning.
- Must-have
Experience developing innovation pipelines and taking products from concept to launch.
- Must-have
Commercial acumen, including an understanding of sales, profitability and the factors that drive category growth.
- Must-have
A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across functions, markets and cultures.
- Must-have
Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and a focus on execution.
Want to deliver the Ultimate Chocolate Experience?
Click “Apply” to get a taste of how sweet a career at Godiva could be.
The Category Marketing Manager, Gifting will help shape and deliver Godiva’s global gifting category growth agenda. Reporting to the Director, Gifting, Boutique and Premium Experiences, the role translates category strategy into actionable portfolio plans, innovation programmes and seasonal initiatives, partnering with regional teams to bring them to market.
Combining consumer understanding, commercial analysis and project leadership, the role will develop compelling gifting propositions across boutiques, cafés, premium retail and Global Travel Retail. It will contribute to category growth and premiumisation, strengthening Godiva’s position in premium chocolate gifting.
What will be your key deliverables?
Consumer and market insight: Partner with Insights team to analyse consumer behaviour, shopper needs, competitor activity and category trends, translating findings into clear portfolio and innovation recommendations.
Innovation and renovation: Lead selected projects from concept through to launch, coordinating cross-functional teams across Design, Insights, R&D, Commercialisation and Supply Chain to deliver against agreed scope, timelines and commercial objectives.
Seasonal and channel propositions: Develop gifting collections and seasonal programmes, including boutique-exclusive and café propositions, and assortments tailored to Global Travel Retail.
Commercial evaluation: Develop business cases and assess sales potential, profitability and portfolio implications to inform investment and prioritisation decisions.
Market deployment: Partner with regional marketing and commercial teams to adapt global propositions to local needs and support launch readiness and execution.
Performance and optimisation: Track portfolio, innovation and seasonal performance against agreed KPIs, combining results with market feedback to recommend improvements to assortment, execution and portfolio productivity.
Governance and stakeholder alignment: Prepare category reviews, project updates and decision materials, ensuring stakeholders have clear visibility of progress, risks and required actions.
Essential
Relevant experience in FMCG marketing premium segment, category management, innovation or portfolio management, particularly within chocolate or confectionery.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate consumer, market and performance data into actionable recommendations.
Understanding of gifting behaviour, occasion-based marketing and seasonal planning.
Experience developing innovation pipelines and taking products from concept to launch.
Commercial acumen, including an understanding of sales, profitability and the factors that drive category growth.
A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across functions, markets and cultures.
Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and a focus on execution.
Desirable
Experience leading cross-functional projects and managing multiple priorities through to delivery.
Knowledge of portfolio architecture, assortment planning and pricing.
Exposure to boutique, café, premium retail or Global Travel Retail channels.
Experience in a global or regional marketing role within a matrix organisation.
An interest in premium brands, consumer trends and creating distinctive gifting experiences.
Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to build clear recommendations and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
Godiva and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.
Search Firm Representatives please read carefully:
Godiva is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for this employment opportunity. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Godiva via-email, the Internet or directly to hiring managers at Godiva in any form without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of Godiva, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Godiva as a result of the referral or through other means.
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The roleWhat it asksA certificationYears askedSkills the listing names
- Relevant experience in FMCG marketing premium segment, category management, innovation or portfolio management, particularly within chocolate or confectionery.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate consumer, market and performance data into actionable recommendations.
- Understanding of gifting behaviour, occasion-based marketing and seasonal planning.
- Experience developing innovation pipelines and taking products from concept to launch.
- Commercial acumen, including an understanding of sales, profitability and the factors that drive category growth.
- A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across functions, markets and cultures.
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and a focus on execution.
- Category management
- FMCG marketing
- Innovation management
- Portfolio management
- Consumer insights
- Market analysis
- Project leadership
- Seasonal planning
- Commercial acumen
- Stakeholder management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Strategic planning
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