Area Manager Southern Africa at Brown-Forman

Job Description

Southern Africa comprises the Tier 1 market of South Africa,

Tier 2 markets of Mozambique and Namibia and support markets of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Lesotho and Swaziland.

Group: Brown-Forman IMEA CCSA

Reports to: Area Director Africa

Reports: JD Marketing Manager South Africa (Manager 1)

Partners with: B-F area and regional finance and marketing directors, corporate services such as legal, tax, production, customer service and the appointed distributor partner for the area.

Scope/Purpose

The area manager is the primary in-country representative for Brown-Forman responsible for overseeing all business activity in the area. This position will be responsible for the development and growth of Brown-Forman’s business in Southern Africa. In addition to in-market activities which also include the oversight of local RTD production nearby in Johannesburg, the area manager will play a leadership role in representing B-F’s South Africa operations, its corporate affairs and running the B-F Cape Town office. This position may take on directorship and associated administrational servicing on behalf of Brown-Forman South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

The area manager will lead and be responsible for the Route to Market and Route to Consumer strategy and implementation in the area.

The area manager will be an active member of the B-F Africa leadership team, providing leadership to the brand building strategies of the organization and engagement in regional strategies, issues and opportunities. The area manager will be expected to have high level visibility with the IMEA CCSA leadership team and senior B-F management.

Basic Function

To be the pivotal in-market resource for B-F managing all aspects of the business, driving growth and maximizing brand profit in a challenging and competitive marketplace. Responsibilities include sales, marketing, and finance. Directly manage two marketing managers and partner with three finance and dedicated distributor professionals. The area manager is responsible for all aspects of B-F’s route to consumer activities, including, leading the development and implementation of distribution strategy. The role will work closely with B-F colleagues, including production (EMO Production Director), tax and logistics (Sales Operation Manager IMEA CCSA) and will represent B-F’s interests in South Africa locally and in internal company discussions. Additionally, the area manager will work closely with the Area Manager West Africa and East Africa to align B-F’s strategy pan Africa.

Responsibilities

• Establishes clear vision and business priorities to ensure consistent, profitable growth. Leads the overall business planning process and champions the area in all internal resource allocation discussions. Directs all business initiatives that will drive profitable growth.
• Lead the business operation and organization in all aspects of the business and develop and lead the strategic direction of B-F business in the area.
• Develop and direct brand building efforts on B-F’s brands in Southern Africa. Line management of brand managers on B-F’s brands. Seek new growth opportunities in the area, such as new product ideas, new distribution or marketing channels, and new sizes
• Key B-F contact in South Africa responsible for day to day, two way communications between B-F and all other functions within our distributor partner.
• Ensure that B-F’s brand plans for Southern Africa are successfully activated by all other functions within our distributor partner.
• Lead and manage the local B-F team in all aspects from hiring, education, and training. Develop a strong team that strives for extraordinary success and works together as a team.
• Responsible for building capability with all parties who work with B-F. Champion of processes, tools and KPIs. Develops in-house expertise in running a successful third party, cost sharing or own distribution set up.
• Operates effectively with and through key stakeholders including regional marketing and finance directors.
• B-F point person to all external parties, government agencies, lobby groups, legal, trade bodies, etc., especially with regards to representing Brown-Forman South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
• Point person in all Alcohol Responsible Marketing issues and compliance with B-F responsible Marketing and Promotion Guidelines
• Point person for all B-F Internal Audit discussions and negotiations with distributor

Must Requirements

• Degree in Business, Marketing, International Marketing or equivalent discipline
• 7+ years in progressive sales and/or marketing management experience working across Southern Africa
• Proven general management experience with FMCG, including P&L responsibility
• Ability to work across cultures and to clearly communicate complex ideas in a diverse environment
• Business acumen, flexibility, problem-solving and working with others
• Developing others, leadership, performance management and coaching experience
• Excellent presentation skills
• A team player able to work with others within a multinational company
• Influencing skills to operate cross-border international/multi-market operations
• Analytical and conceptual thinking ability
• Strategic planning skills/awareness and championing international strategy
• Acting as intercultural mediator and change agent
• Need to be visionary and to able to identify new opportunities
• Fluent in spoken and written English

Preferred Requirements

• Post Graduate Qualification in a business related area
• Experience in international sales and brand management of FMCG in more than one country
• Knowledge and experience in dealing with distribution channels
• Previous knowledge in beverage alcohol industry

For this position, we are not offering a corporate relocation package.

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