Are you an experienced marketing or trade activation professional looking for your next challenge? Do you thrive in a fast-paced retail environment where commercial thinking, supplier engagement and campaign delivery come together? If so, our Activation Manager role could be the perfect opportunity for you.
This is a pivotal role responsible for securing, planning and delivering all supplier-funded income opportunities across three key convenience brands, while leading the activation agenda across multiple marketing channels. You will manage a team of three direct reports and work cross-functionally with Trading, Marketing, Finance, Operations, suppliers and agency partners to drive best-in-class activation campaigns that support commercial growth and retailer engagement.
We are a collaborative and ambitious team passionate about delivering impactful activation strategies that create value for our suppliers, customers and retailer partners.
About Bestway
Bestway Group is a diversified multinational family owned business with annualised turnover in excess of £4.5 billion. Starting off as a chain of retail convenience stores, the Group has grown to become a diversified multinational business with interests across the wholesale, pharmacy, real estate, cement and banking sectors. The Group is also the largest overseas investor in Pakistan.
Owned by the Pervez, Choudrey and Sheikh families, Bestway Group was founded in 1976 by Sir Anwar Pervez OBE H Pk, who remains Chairman. Serving over 12 million customers and employing over 28,000 individuals, the Group supports and serves communities through its operations across the UK, Pakistan and the Middle East.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end activation of supplier-funded campaigns across a rolling promotional cycle
- Own the delivery and reporting of all supplier-funded income across the convenience Centre of Excellence
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to secure long-term investment partnerships
- Develop annual activation plans and commercially compelling supplier investment opportunities across three key convenience brands
- Identify and drive incremental revenue opportunities through ad-hoc campaigns, seasonal activations and innovation initiatives
- Lead campaign planning across multiple channels, ensuring activity is aligned to shopper insight, commercial priorities and brand objectives
- Collaborate closely with Trading teams to align supplier opportunities with category priorities and promotional plans
- Lead and develop a team of three direct reports, providing coaching, direction and support to ensure effective delivery across their relevant areas, including digital, social, in-store and media touchpoints
- Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Trading, Studio, Communications and external agencies to ensure timely and accurate campaign execution
- Oversee briefing, proofing and approval processes to ensure all assets meet brand and compliance standards
- Support the creation of supplier presentations, activation collateral and commercial proposals
- Monitor campaign performance and produce ROI reporting and post-campaign analysis for suppliers and stakeholders
- Manage stakeholder communications and ensure strong alignment across internal departments
- Identify new activation opportunities through market research, retailer insight and competitor benchmarking
- Represent the Activation team at supplier meetings, conferences and key business events
The Ideal Candidate:
- Proven experience in trade marketing, activation, shopper marketing or media activation roles
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing supplier-funded income and revenue targets
- Experience leading integrated marketing or activation campaigns across multiple channels
- Previous people management experience, with the ability to lead, motivate and develop a team
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels internally and externally
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain high standards across campaign delivery
- Analytical mindset with experience evaluating campaign performance and ROI
- Creative thinker with the ability to identify new commercial and activation opportunities
- Good understanding of UK retail, convenience and supplier sectors
- Full UK driving licence
- A proactive, self-starting attitude with the confidence to take ownership and drive results
- Commercial curiosity and a continuous focus on identifying growth opportunities
- Resilience and adaptability within a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Excellent relationship-building skills with colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders
- A solutions-focused mindset with the ability to overcome challenges effectively
- Commitment to delivering high-quality work and driving best-in-class activation
We understand that no applicant ever ticks every box so please do consider applying should some or most of the above apply. Bestway Group is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity and inclusion. We welcome people of different nationalities, backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. We want strong, and diverse teams built from talented individuals with different backgrounds identities and experiences.
If this is of interest to you and you would like to learn more, please do get in touch, we are looking forward to hearing from you.
