Brand Manager at Bollard Consulting Limited

• Our client, in the FMCG sector seeks to recruit a Brand Manager who will manage the development and implementation of the consumer brands through developing communication and promotion strategies followed by effective operational execution plans of these strategies.
• He/She will be responsible for protecting, growing and building the brands by managing the demand for the brands so as to achieve budgeted volume, market share and profit objectives.
• The jobholder will also be responsible for developing and effectively implementing marketing activities for the brands and driving the harmonization of brand position in East Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the development, tracking/measuring and completion of brand plans - strategic and operational plans, annual performance review, budget plan, research plans, activity cycle plans and activity plans.
• Initiate brand innovations to improve brand image attributes amongst customers.
• Engagement with key Distributors, wholesalers and direct customers to ensure delivery on brand initiatives and drive the creative processes for our brands together with Trade Marketing department.
• Develop and manage initiatives to improve processes, practices and methods to reduce complexity and enhance speed to market as well as consumer benefits.
• Monitoring brand availability and sales, and being proactive on factors affecting the brand sales and market share performance.
• Provide  relevant  information  in  a  timely  manner  to  support  effective  and  efficient decision making.
• Management of A&P Budgets to ensure spend in line with strategic direction to enable brand growth.
• Managing and monitoring the Marketing activity calendar.
• Advertising agency and other supplier liaison and management.
• Planning and implementing brand media strategy.
• Recommending, planning and coordinating brand PR activities likely to enhance the brands sales and image in the short and long term.
• Liaising with Sales Department on brand performance delivery.
• Liaising with Manufacturing and Sales on S&OP management.
• Analyzing  market  research  data,  including  secondary  research  and  taking  corrective action for enhancement of brand strategies.
• Interacting with the Regional Brand liaisons and giving updates on implementation of brand strategic plans.
• Monitoring competitor activities affecting the brand and taking appropriate corrective action.
• Monitoring, evaluating and recommending brand packaging, updating including pack and range  extensions,  and  following  through  to  implementation  by  liaising  with  the Marketing Manager.
• Continuously monitoring brand costs and profitability and recommending areas of improvement.
• Preparing   monthly   brand   expenditure   and   variance   reports   to   control   budgeted expenditure.
• Carrying out market intelligence through regular trade visits and utilizing this to enhance brand activities.
• Liaising  with  Procurement  to  source  promotional  and  packaging  material  for  brand promotion activations.

EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or related field
• A minimum of 5-6 years marketing experience preferable in an FMCG multinational or large Company including experience working in cross-functional sales, trade and brand marketing teams.
• Thorough knowledge and application experience in brand strategy development, brand planning, program development, product development and customer engagement.
• Marketing management experience.
• Experience in the development and execution of advertising strategies.
• Digital and social media marketing experience would be an added advantage.
• Member of the Kenya Institute of Marketing or CIM will be an added advantage.