TalentPool

As I get ready to relocate, I wanted a fun way to immerse myself in the US consumer goods market. So welcome to 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁 🛒🇺🇸 I'll be shining a spotlight on US challenger food or drink brands that catch my eye - sharing the founder story, what makes the product different, and, of course, whether I'd actually buy it again. I'm hoping it'll help me discover some incredible brands, learn more about the people building them, and maybe even inspire a few additions to your own shopping list! So, where better to start than with a product I actually brought home in my suitcase from my last trip to California... I've always had a soft spot for a Bounty. 🌴🥥 Unlike many, I'm never disappointed that they're usually the last ones left in the Celebrations tin... So when I discovered Unreal Snacks, they immediately found their way into my suitcase. For anyone who hasn't come across them, UNREAL has taken some of our favourite chocolate treats and reinvented them with: ✅ Simpler ingredients ✅ Less sugar ✅ Fair Trade chocolate ✅ No artificial ingredients 🌱 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 UNREAL was founded when teenage brothers Nicky and Kristopher challenged their dad, Boston-based entrepreneur Michael Bronner, to recreate the confectionery they loved as kids - just without all the ingredients they couldn't pronounce. What started as a family challenge has grown into one of the best-known challenger confectionery brands in the US, stocked in retailers including Whole Foods Market, Target, Walmart and Costco Wholesale. It's a brilliant example of something I've already noticed while researching the US CPG market: a lot of the most exciting challenger brands aren't inventing completely new categories; they're reinventing products we already know and love, but with cleaner ingredients, stronger branding and a proposition that better reflects today's consumer. ⭐ My verdict? As a lifelong Bounty fan... I genuinely think these are even better. 🥥 #ChallengerCart #ChallengerBrands #CPG #ConsumerGoods #FoodAndDrink #FoodInnovation #StartupBrands #BetterForYou #USA #USCPG #FMCG

TalentPool's job of the week 🐟 Human Resources Director - based in Sussex We are delighted to be exclusively partnering with a market-leading fresh food manufacturer in the search for a HR Director to join their Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the CEO. See the job advert below or contact Catherine Yapp for more details! https://lnkd.in/esWZtStT

I am hiring for a Senior Revenue Growth Manager for a fantastic business that own a portfolio of great brands. This role leads the pricing, promotions, mix and investment strategy and will work closely with senior leaders across Sales, Marketing and Finance. Open to a confidential chat if you want to explore it further. Interested in speaking with candidates that have 5-8 years experience in Revenue Growth Management or Commercial Finance led roles. TalentPool

We're delighted to be exclusively partnering with a market-leading fresh food manufacturer to appoint a People Director. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a rare opportunity to lead the transformation of an established People function and play a key role in shaping the next phase of an ambitious growth journey. This isn't about maintaining the status quo. It's about building a high-performing People team, driving organisational change, strengthening engagement and creating a culture where people are a true competitive advantage. If you're an experienced HR leader with a background in FMCG, manufacturing or another fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you. 👉 Swipe through to learn more. 📩 For a confidential conversation, contact Catherine Yapp or apply using the link in the comments

Creating your CV should be easy! Your CV is only a ‘door-opener’. It is presenting your experience in a clear, structured way that quickly demonstrates your suitability for a role. I have put together some simple advice that will help you make stand out. Focussing specifically on four key sections. Let me know any questions you have! https://lnkd.in/e6AVz8s7

TalentPool's job of the week! 🐟 This is an opportunity to join an established food business in London, leading the purchasing of various ingredients and food commodities. 📍London (hybrid) £65,000 plus package The job advert is below, or get in touch with Jordan Collins for more details. https://lnkd.in/ectVcsdh

Our 2026 Salary & Insights Guide is Here 🚀 The hiring market continues to evolve, and understanding what candidates want, what competitors are offering, and where salaries are heading has never been more important. We've just launched our 2026 Salary & Insights Guide, bringing together insights from employers and professionals across the FMCG, Consumer and Retail sectors. Inside the guide you'll find: ✅ Salary benchmarks across key functions ✅ Hiring and retention trends shaping 2026 ✅ What top candidates are prioritising when considering new opportunities ✅ Market insights on bonuses, benefits and EVP ✅ Practical recommendations to help attract and secure the best talent One of the biggest themes emerging from the data? Competition for passive talent is intensifying, while businesses continue to place greater emphasis on commercial capability, leadership and strategic hiring decisions. Whether you're currently hiring, planning for H2, reviewing compensation structures, or simply want to understand how your organisation compares to the wider market, we'd be happy to share a copy. 👀 Here's a sneak peek of some of the findings below. If you'd like to receive the full 2026 Salary & Insights Guide or discuss what the findings could mean for your business then please get in touch mail@talentpoolcompany.com OR via our website https://lnkd.in/et5q6_R6 The guide is valuable, but the conversations around it are where the real insight lies. #SalaryGuide2026 #HiringTrends #TalentStrategy #ConsumerGoods #FMCG #RetailCareers #TalentAcquisition #Recruitment #EmployerBrand #Compensation #LeadershipHiring

Our 2026 Salary & Insights Guide is Here 🚀 The hiring market continues to evolve, and understanding what candidates want, what competitors are offering, and where salaries are heading has never been more important. We've just launched our 2026 Salary & Insights Guide, bringing together insights from employers and professionals across the FMCG, Consumer and Retail sectors. Inside the guide you'll find: ✅ Salary benchmarks across key functions ✅ Hiring and retention trends shaping 2026 ✅ What top candidates are prioritising when considering new opportunities ✅ Market insights on bonuses, benefits and EVP ✅ Practical recommendations to help attract and secure the best talent One of the biggest themes emerging from the data? Competition for passive talent is intensifying, while businesses continue to place greater emphasis on commercial capability, leadership and strategic hiring decisions. Whether you're currently hiring, planning for H2, reviewing compensation structures, or simply want to understand how your organisation compares to the wider market, we'd be happy to share a copy. 👀 Here's a sneak peek of some of the findings below. If you'd like to receive the full 2026 Salary & Insights Guide or discuss what the findings could mean for your business then please get in touch mail@talentpoolcompany.com OR via our website https://lnkd.in/et5q6_R6 The guide is valuable, but the conversations around it are where the real insight lies. #SalaryGuide2026 #HiringTrends #TalentStrategy #ConsumerGoods #FMCG #RetailCareers #TalentAcquisition #Recruitment #EmployerBrand #Compensation #LeadershipHiring