Durban: Brand Manager

The brand champion and expert while ensuring brand integrity in all respects. Plans, implements, and executes successful consumer and trade marketing programs (including brand strategic planning, market positioning, pricing, promotion, advertising). Contributes to annual brand planning process and brand planning calendar, coordinates cross-functional activities and planning processes, manages timelines, and ensures timely completion of all deliverables. Experience • Must have experience with South African retailers and contacts within the industry. • Footwear or apparel background is paramount. • Brand Management experience is a must. • Financial acumen • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel/Power Point/Word • 10 years’ experience, Management, Exec • Key initiative planning and execution. • Consumer communication strategy, planning and execution. • Consumer insights • Manufacturing Experience 5 years Duties and Responsibilities Reporting: Securing monthly retail sales reports from customers Produce and distribute accurate monthly management reports to agreed time scales. Produce detailed quarterly cash flow forecasts to form the basis for the working capital request Produce financial reports detailing actual expenditure against forecast to agreed timescales. Sales: Leads the development of sales strategies and objectives for building and executing year-round brand engagement through partnerships, social media, fan conventions, and other vehicles. Utilizes category and consumer insights to identify growth opportunities and drive innovation in product development as well as marketing initiatives. Securing new business to drive the brand forward. Collaborates with sales team for specific strategies for clients. Securing sales forecast timely from customers. Budget and control: Manage working capital requirements. Accountable for budget, forecasts and to secure good cost management within own responsibility area. Staff Management/ Leadership: Ensure that staff members are motivated by providing leadership & direction. Conduct performance reviews with staff twice a year. Undertake personal development/career action plans for incumbents reporting to you. Customer Engagement: Quarterly meetings with retailers and independent distributors. Monthly engagement to secure sales New Product Development: Overseeing and investigating new product ranges to drink the business forward. Qualifications • Grade 12 • Senior or Bachelor’s degree in Commercial or related field