Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom
Sam is an experienced and versatile marketing leader, passionate about D2C e-commerce and growing brands. He is a masters-level graduate with 12+ years experience - the last half of which have been at senior management level - and is equally comfortable with team leadership and hands on execution. He has a track-record of success in a mix of start-up, SME and VC-backed businesses, specifically within VMS, CPG and FMCG, and recently served as Managing Director for a 7-figure revenue business. Most recent role was 6-month interim contract building and leading the marketing function for a fast growing FMCG food brand.
Stepped outside of VMS and into food & drink FMCG with a fast-growing start-up. I was to manage an existing team and given full ownership of the marketing strategy and P&L with the goal of growing D2C and overhauling brand output with a view to securing a major supermarket listing.
Promoted to a dual role combining the day-to-day operational management of the business and all team members, along with continued ownership of marketing strategy and spend. Delivered significant business restructure, growing EBITDA in FY25 and enabling the business to be sold to new owners.
Headhunted for senior marketing role, taking a seat in the SLT alongside the three founders. Full creative, strategic and P&L ownership of the D2C side, including marketing spend performance. Line management of existing marketing team of four. Delivered record web revenues and sustained monthly YoY growth.
Returned to the business in a senior marketing role, operating outside of the core marketing team, with the goal of identifying untapped growth opportunities - across marketing, product & digital - and managing them from concept to execution. Projects added over £1m in incremental sales.
Complete commercial and P&L ownership of GoNutrition brand (B2C), with senior team accountability for B2C trading performance as well as efficiency of marketing & paid advertising budget. Oversaw design and implementation of new mobile-first website for GN, plus three new start-up brands.
A multi-brand retailer owned by entrepreneur Oliver Cookson (founder of Myprotein). I was brought in to optimise marketing activity and drive D2C growth through the flagship GoNutrition brand, with full creative, strategic and commercial ownership. Delivered record web revenues, a full rebrand for GoNutrition and was proud to be named 'Employee of the Year' by the CEO in 2017.
Accountability for the delivery of online trading calendar across nine local language European websites. Oversaw CRM strategy, new product launches and trading P&L. Leading member of the team that delivered a record £10m revenue in 2015 (including £100k revenue performance on Black Friday).
Joined the business in its infancy (six months post-launch as the first marketing hire) and contributed to its rapid rise within the competitive UK marketplace. This culminated in 2015 with record revenues, multiple awards and the first acquisition of the business by Walgreens Boots Alliance.