Activation Manager

4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Thirsk or Crick | Fixed Term (until September 2026) | Hybrid

We’re excited to be recruiting an Activation Manager to bring our brands to life across our major retail partners. This is a commercially impactful role where you’ll shape, manage, and deliver standout activation plans that engage shoppers, elevate brand visibility, and drive category performance. You’ll plan and execute retailer media, promotions, POS and digital campaigns, ensuring brilliant activation both in-store and online.

Working closely with Sales and Marketing teams, you’ll turn shopper insight into compelling execution that drives conversion. This is the perfect opportunity for someone creative, commercially astute, and energized by driving brand growth through exceptional activation.

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, well-established, and award-winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our families of brands include Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher’s, Classic, Pro‑Nutrition, and Ultra Premium Direct, along with partner brands. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel, and Crick produce a wide range of dry, wet, and baked foods enjoyed by dogs and cats worldwide.

We’re on a mission to set a new standard of workplace happiness within the pet nutrition industry—one that looks like no other and feels like no other. Our culture is built on INSPIRED’s unique behaviours and colleague experience, creating an environment that excites, empowers, and puts people and pets at the heart of everything we do.

• Plan and execute high-impact activation campaigns that engage shoppers and boost conversion
• Own retailer media plans, POS, coupons, and digital promotional activity
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key grocery retailers and media agencies
• Track and manage activation spend, measure ROI, and optimise performance
• Act as the link between Sales & Marketing, embedding shopper insight into all plans
• Lead activation delivery for Deployment Days and Brand Days, ensuring standout brand theatre

• Degree calibre, with further business-related study advantageous but not essential
• Demonstrable experience in a similar activation or shopper marketing role within FMCG
• Experience working with major UK grocery retailers and their media planning ecosystems
• Commercially astute with strong influencing skills across internal and external partners
• Proven track record of delivering activation that drives brand and commercial growth
• Excellent project management capability with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Creative, energetic, and passionate about pets and brand connection

• 8% employer pension contribution (3% employee via salary sacrifice)
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Medicash plan
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Enhanced colleague discounts
• Free onsite parking
• Dog-friendly offices
• A wide range of wellbeing, lifestyle, and development benefits

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the colleagues and communities we serve. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected and able to be themselves  welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We make hiring decisions based on talent, potential and the experience you bring. We are also committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring equitable access and opportunity for all. If you need any adjustments or support to take part in our recruitment process, please contact

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Marketing and Sales

Food and Beverage Manufacturing