Junior Brand Manager – Consumer Division

JOB PURPOSE

To develop, recommend and implement marketing plans and promotions and work closely with the Sales, Marketing, Promotions and Merchandising teams to facilitate the achievement of optimum brand equity, sales, quality, distribution, visibility, price, placement and promotion of the assigned brands to enhance the Company’s image as a preferred supplier in the Industry.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

The job is satisfactorily performed when:

• Promotions and product launches achieve targeted marketing objectives.
• There is timeliness and reliability of marketing reports.
• Variances between projected and actual brand performance are within prescribed limit.
• Nature and level of budget variances are minimized.
• Supplier and company targets are met.
• Work quality, accuracy, meets specifications
• The extent and completion of training delivery
• A satisfactory working relationship is encouraged and developed with all employees as espoused and guided by Group and Company Values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

FUNCTIONAL:

1. Development and management of brand strategies, communications and marketing campaigns through creation of annual marketing plans, using various effective platforms to reach target customer.
2. Implement marketing plans, promotions, media and product launches for assigned brands to facilitate the achievement of the Company’s marketing objectives.
3. Carry out market research, stay current and monitor market trends, competitive activities and conduct consumer insights, to identify opportunities and key issues and areas for investment.
4. Conduct brand sales analysis and use category insight to understand performance of brands, ensuring the required corrective actions are developed and implemented by channel, to drive volume and profitability.
5. Achieve and monitor monthly sales and gross profit targets in keeping with departmental objectives.
6. Manage A&P spend in line with budgeted, margin requirements and brand investment.
7. Measure and report performance of all marketing campaigns, and assess against goals (ROI and KPIs)
8. Evaluate optimum quality, distribution, visibility, price, placement and promotion of the assigned brands in all trade channels.
9. Prepare draft forecasts and budget proposals and administer approved A&P budgets in collaboration with suppliers, Business Unit Manager, Division Manager and/or Group Product Manager, ensuring that all expenses are accounted for and tracked.
10. Conduct regular trade audits, monitoring existing brand portfolio, competitive activity, promotional trends and identify opportunities and areas for investment, including appropriate tactical initiatives to counteract such activity.
11. Monitor product expiration dates and damages of assigned brands at the Warehouse and implement measures to keep expiries to a minimum.
12. Assist with inventory management – ICM forecasting – to ensure minimization of stock-outs, reduction in slow moving stock and liquidation of discontinued products and monitoring of expiry dates.
13. Be the liaison and work closely with Principals to manage brands in the market.
14. Create and disseminate tools needed for sales, promotions and merchandising team to launch/introduce products in line with road map.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT:

1. Work closely with Sales & Merchandising teams to ensure that all in-store promotional activities are executed according to plan
2. Work closely with Promotions Coordinator to ensure all samplings and promotions are executed according to plan, conducting site visits and assisting with execution as required.
3. Train Sales, Merchandising and Promotions teams on all existing and new brands and provide continuous guidance and assistance as required
4. Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers ensuring that all requested reports are submitted in a timely manner and according to specifications
5. Work closely with Promotions Coordinator in assessment and evaluation of promotions.

HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT:

1. Ensure the application of and adherence to established HSE measures and procedures to ensure the well-being of all employees and the Company’s customers.
2. Investigate and report on incidents and/or accidents as necessary to direct Supervisor/Manager and HSSE, Fleet & Maintenance Manager following the customer complaint process.
3. Review accident reports and ensure corrective actions are done.

QUALITY ASSURANCE & CUSTOMER SERVICE:

• Adhere to the company’s quality & customer service standards and procedures.
• Ensure the company’s quality & customer service standards and procedures are being adhered to & reinforce compliance with direct reports.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Analyze Return On Investment (ROI) for key promotional activities and trade rentals with the use of sales data and promotions reports.
• Submit all claims to suppliers in a timely manner and ensure reimbursements are received
• Prepare reports and analyses on brand performance.
• Ensure all reports, internal and supplier, monthly/quarterly, written and presented, are done in a timely basis.
• Review and analyze the execution of promotions, report on findings and recommend appropriate adjustments and initiatives.
• Perform other duties that may be required to enhance the operations of the Company

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing / Business Management or related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years similar experience in a FMCG Company
• Or relevant combination of training and experience

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

KEY:

1. Customer Obsessed - Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect. Committed to personal growth and development
2. Team Oriented - Usually operates in a team format; talks ‘we’, ‘us’ and ‘the team’ vs ’I’; is participative in meetings and encourages open dialogue; shares credit with the team for successes; trusts the team to perform; has a feeling of belonging in the team; defines success in terms of the whole team
3. Flexible/Change Embracing - Comfortable with and open to change and considerable variety in the workplace; challenges constructively but then goes along with change; can support things may not totally agree with; easily makes transitions to the new and different; open to the views of others; is optimistic and views changes as opportunities; thinks and talks beyond today – visualizes a different and better outcome; thinks and talks about possibilities, as well as consequences; solution oriented; willing to adjust to each situation
4. Results Oriented - Can be counted on to consistently produce results and even exceed goals successfully; plans and sets priorities well; is organised and gets things done on time and in time; can produce results under a variety of conditions; is constantly and consistently a top performer; bottom-line oriented; pushes self and others to achieve results; takes calculated risks; goes the extra mile; can see hidden and difficult problems; solution oriented