Chris W
Marketing Strategist
I have a passion for building brands and businesses that people LOVE. Resulting in driving high growth for brands across FMCG & Consumer Goods.
Summary
Passionate and strategic growth-driven marketing and commercial leader with a strong track record in delivering history making results for household name FMCG businesses.
Recognised for driving brand growth strategies and developing brand portfolios, and implementing media best practices. Proven success in team leadership and delivering award-winning campaigns. Experience includes setting up new functions, leading commercial planning, shopper marketing, category growth strategy, and project management.
- Track record of delivering strong top and bottom line growth across a number of household leading FMCG brands.
- Well-rounded experience, via leadership roles across Marketing, Commercial & Category Strategy and Account Management.
- High level of functional expertise in branding, strategy creation, communications development, category strategy, brand activation and innovation pipeline deployment.
- A passionate people leader with proven success in developing direct reports and mentoring top talent
Experience
Hain Celestial
Head of Brand Activation & Strategy - International Group (2022 - 2024)
Hain Celestial - leading global Better-For-You Food and Drinks business, with revenues of over $800m across leading brands and Own Label in UK and EU Markets. Branded portfolio includes Linda McCartney’s, Hartley's, Ellas Kitchen, New Covent Garden Soup and Sun Pat.
Led the set up of a new cross-functional annual Commercial Planning process, established and led Shopper Marketing function, developed Category Growth Strategy, and managed Project Management for effective growth projects. Responsible for the growth of leading FMCG brands within the company.
Hain Celestial
Head of Category Strategy - Group (2021 - 2023)
Responsible for leading and transforming the Category and Commercial Strategy function across Plant-Based, Ambient Grocery, Chilled, and Frozen Group divisions. Created Category Strategy Blueprint, drove customer engagement, and led trend and innovation development initiatives.
Hain Celestial
Head of Marketing - Grocery Brands Portfolio (2017 - 2021)
Oversaw the Marketing team responsible for the $140m+ RSV branded Hartley's portfolio. Achieved significant brand growth, managed brand stretch innovation pipeline, and developed thought leadership in media best practices. Led award-winning moments and team development efforts.
Hain Celestial
Marketing & Insights Controller - Chilled Soup (2015 - 2017)
Delivered double-digit growth within Major Retail Multiples on national beer brands. Managed Category Insights and Category Management teams, driving brand growth plans across on and off-trade channels.
Greene King Brewery
Marketing Manager (2013 - 2015)
Contributed to brand growth plans resulting in double-digit growth on national beer brands within Major Retail Multiples. Led Category Insights Manager and Category Manager teams for on and off-trade channels.
Greene King Brewery
National Account Manager, Trade Marketing Manager (2011 - 2013)
Managed a £30m P&L across National Accounts, overseeing commercial sales and trade marketing strategies.
The Co-Operative
Buying Manager (2010 - 2011)
Held a commercial role accountable for buying processes and strategies within the organisation.
Hotpoint
Commercial Graduate Scheme - Brand Executive, Account Executive, Trade Marketing Executive (2007 - 2010)
Participated in a commercial graduate scheme, holding roles in brand management, account management, and trade marketing.