Retail Channel Program Manager at Apple

Job description

JobID: 57584507

This is role will be reporting to the Country Manager to drive above-market sales growth through the planning and execution of best-in-class channel programs. This would include retail development and design, new store openings as well as on-going traffic generation programs. The programs should drive new customer acquisition within competitive consumer and pro environments through Apple’s channel partners.

This role will have a one-to-many relationship, with the channel, and key internals both at local, regional and European level. Applicants must have a strategic mind-set, with several years experience working in a trade-marketing environment.

The ideal candidate will have experience in coverage analysis and planning, sales or business development with hands-on knowledge of channel marketing programs, demand generation activities/event management, marketing and communications, retail point-of-sales merchandising, sales performance tracking and P&L analysis, cross functional work, team player as well as individual contributor.

The successful candidate must be a good presenter at all levels, and can collaborate successfully with key accounts. He/she must have a team-oriented approach in driving business and ideally be familiar with working for a multinational organization in a matrix type environment. He/She must be able to elevate the thinking and help the business team and Country Manager define a strategic coverage plan and project manage its execution, as well as monitor performance and take relevant actions where needed with the business team.

Role to be based in the Apple office in Johannesburg, Sandton.

Description

The role has four main components:

• Branded programs planning and execution: Consists of conducting coverage analysis, planning and execution of best-in-class channel programs in South Africa. The role covers Retail, Apple Premium Resellers, Monobrand Resellers, Independent Retail and Telco carriers. Programs should drive new customer acquisition and retention of current customer base through Apple’s channel partners, through managing merchandising programs, demand generation and training programs. This role will have a one-to-many relationship, with the channel partners, and key internal stakeholders both at local and European level. Applicants must have a strategic mind-set, with several years of experience working in a trade-marketing environment.
• Merchandising and Maintenance: You will be responsible for the successful and flawless rollout and execution of all major programs changes due to new product introductions (NPI) and/or program refresh. This includes Apple programs that have been deployed across the various markets & distribution channels - Apple Premium Reseller (APR), Apple Shop (AS), White & Channel Excellence Program (CEP), Telecom Excellence Program (TEP) and Monobrand Resellers. This person will also ensure that all programs are maintained and are always 100% as per the program guidelines & plan programs. Quality checks on the program via quarterly mystery shopping & audits will be managed within this role.
• Demand Generation planning and execution: manage and execute the Sales and Marketing Integration (SAMI) across all consumer partners in the region. Supporting the consumer sales in the quarterly budget allocation, working on the creatives in coordination with the partners and ensuring Apple marketing guidelines are followed 100% at all times.
• Readiness and sustenance: Partner with sales, field staffing, and training teams to ensure our partners are working smoothly on store readiness, that the field staff team is hiring ahead of the deployment the right staffing on time and working hand in hand with the Training team on building their product skills and knowledge. Readiness is also required before any product launch and/or revamp of a program. Post-deployment, he/she must ensure skills and knowledge are maintained at all time, program’s merchandising is according to plan, and sales performance is monitored weekly.

Education Details

University Degree acquired in the field of economics or marketing.

Key Qualifications

• 7+ years of trade / channel marketing experience with a strong brand.
• Strategic thinking coupled with detailed executions.
• Transparency in communication and setting expectations.
• Financial planning experience, with understanding of budget limitations and management.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience in working with channel partners, retailers and resellers.
• Work to deadlines and under pressure with ability to focus on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of branding, scalability and event production processes.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong planning and organising skills.
• Good teamwork skills.
• Flexibility in accommodating channel partners demands, which can change at short notice.
• Language skills: proficiency in written and verbal in English.