Global Healthcare giant based in JHB North is urgently looking for a seasoned Marketing Manager with strong FMCG/Skincare industry background to join as their Group Marketing Manager.

VACANCY: GROUP MARKETING MANAGER
REPORTING MANGER: HEAD OF SKIN DIVISION

JOB OBJECTIVE:
• Holds primary accountability for the Marketing function for Nimue, PH Formula and SOLAL Skin Range and any associated and new brands. Works closely with the managing director of the SKIN Division to set strategy, goals, market growth, and to develop and implement plans. To manage the KPI’s of the subordinates to ensure that the overall objectives of the department are reached in line with company objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Brand strategy & management (marketing and advertising)
• Brand development (NPD)
• Brand communication (PR, social media)

KEY RESULT AREAS:
• Design brand strategies to maximise sales and profits of the portfolio:
- Define brand objectives and brand guidelines.
- Develop marketing and sales strategies to maximize sell-through.
• Implement brand strategies:
- Integrate above strategies, plans and objectives into an annual Marketing Plan setting out objectives and strategies per brand, to include product launches, promotions, and events.
- Drive Implementation all the elements of the Marketing Plan, monitor results achieved and direct response to any changes to plans or in the marketplace.
- Manage resources allocated to achieve sales and profit objectives.
- Lead team to develop trade presentations and strong sell-through systems.
- Conduct post-launch evaluation analysis of major programs
• Recommend and implement pricing strategies in conjunction with the National and international Sales Managers as required to meet sales and profit objectives:
- A thorough knowledge of the market price levels by conducting competitor analysis on an annual basis.
- Justify price premium by adding value to product through sales expertise, after-sales service, in-service training, product information etc. as appropriate.
- Monitor product profitability and adjust pricing where necessary to ensure optimum profitability.
- Timeous communication of pricing strategies to relevant departments and customers.
• Develop marketing and sales tools:
- Assist the Sales Team to achieve budgeted sales and profitability goals by developing best in-class marketing strategies and tools.
- Lead activities associated with new door and market launches.
• Forecasting and stock management:
- Work with the Operations team to ensure planning accuracy and appropriate inventory levels. Provide Production Planning with the most accurate unit forecast of sales demand in order to facilitate the maintenance of appropriate inventory levels to meet company service level requirements
- Monitor and act on changing demand patterns.
- Communicate product promotional plans.
- Implement strategies to dispose of excess/redundant inventory.
- Update forecast monthly to reflect latest business plan forecasts.
- Develop and maintain SLA’s with all manufacturers and suppliers, in conjunction with Operations.
- Review monthly brand data and budget results with Finance and & CEO Nimue to proactively remedy potential problems.
• Product portfolio management:
- Understand the consumer and market needs.
- Constant review of products available from sourcing companies and in-house product reviews,
- Drive brand rationalisation (Nimue) over a 2 year period to add consistency, visibility and reduce costs
- Complete marketing proposals prior to product launches.
• Market and competition landscape:
- Work closely with the International Sales team to investigate and understand competitor strengths, weaknesses and activities and direct the division's response to these
- Maintain accurate and up to date competitor product evaluations.
- Obtain information from the market through direct contact and with International Sales teams.
• Manage agencies:
- Approve Media Strategy
- Monitor Advertising Development
- Manage Agency Relationships

BRAND DEVELOPMENT (NPD)

• Work closely with R&D manager to deliver a robust NPD pipeline that meets or leads competition and support the Marketing strategic plan. This involves:
- Manage Ideas Generation Workshops
- Follow Up on Innovation Opportunities
- Apply the Innovation Funnel
• Assess the feasibility of NPD, market potential and price positioning.
• Manage and co-ordinate product upgrades and regulatory compliance and related responsibilities from inception to first production.
• Work closely with all other departments to ensure a timely launch of new products.
• Oversee the relationship between the Skin Division, Cosmetic Chemists/Consultants and 3rd party manufacturers of Nimue and Solal Skin Care products with regard to new product development and upgrades, manufacturing GMP and QC.

BRAND COMMUNICATION (PR, SOCIAL MEDIA)

• Develop a strong Advertising campaign transferable to all markets to achieve goals.
• Drive a strong PR strategy to generate editorial contents and provide guidance to international partners.
• Develop a consistent communication programme across all media to increase the brand visibility to the consumers (web, app, and social media).
• Write regular feeds in line with product launches, promotions, and seasonal topics together with the education team.
• Manage the selected Digital Agency:
- Manage costs.
- Provide proper briefs.
- Ensure the relevant support from the graphic designers.
- Ensure good communication and workflow between the agency and the graphic designers.

PROCESS MANAGEMENT

• Collaborate with All other departmental managers to identify opportunities for streamlining operations, reducing costs, and implementing financial and management technologies to enhance efficiency of brand operations co-operative initiatives.
• Conduct P&L analysis where relevant to marketing function.
• Identify opportunities and risks and develop recommendations and initiatives.
• Help facilitate the successful implementation of BEE within the division.

LEAD AND DEVELOP PEOPLE
• Provide leadership, guidance, and management to the Marketing/PR & R&D team.
• Articulate a compelling mission beyond the day-to-day tasks – in a way that inspires others to follow.
• Act with integrity – honour commitments, take responsibility for decisions, and behave consistently.
• Establish high workplace operating standards and values.
• Set performance objectives for direct reports.
• Provide direction. Clearly communicate priorities and required results.
• Provide coaching, constructive feedback, development opportunities, and recognition to direct reports and key distributor personnel as appropriate.
• Work with MD Skin Division and Human Resource Manager to ensure appropriate staffing and establish performance management and development initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to develop high potential staff.
• Influence others to achieve difficult goals.
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate win-win solutions.
• Shape environment to foster open communication and teamwork.
• Elicit diverse points of view and acknowledge views and contributions of others.
• Maintain appropriate communication within and between the different functional areas of the brand and the Ascendis Company.

KEY COMPETANCIES

• 3 to 4 years B Comm Degree or IMM diploma
• 8 years in Skin care industry across all marketing levels preferably in the professional channel
• At least 8 years marketing experience in professional skincare industry
• Demonstrable evidence of required Embedded Knowledge and Competencies
• Solve Problems
• Implement a Planning Process
• Deliver a Presentation
• Apply Leadership Techniques
• Manage Project Management Process
• Manage Personal Development
• Work in Teams
• Conduct Situational Analysis
• Develop Strategic Plan
• Develop and Monitor Activity Plan
• Develop and Manage Brand Mix
• Identify and Develop Innovation Opportunities
• Maintain Brand Equity
• Manage Brand Communication Strategy and Process
• Computer skills (MS Office)
• Analytical skills
• Oral and written communication skills