Brand General Manager|SSA| Global FMCG/ Beauty at MECS (Pty) Ltd

• This opportunity is best suited to candidates with proven experience within the beauty, cosmetics or personal care industry. Candidates should also demonstrate evidence of meaningful tenure and progression, with SSA experience within previous roles coupled with more than 7 + years' experience in Beauty & Cosmetics.
• The Brand General Manager – Sub-Saharan Africa is responsible for driving the overall brand vision, strategic growth, and performance across the SSA region. This role requires a visionary and agile leader to accelerate market share, expand brand footprint, and connect authentically with diverse African consumers through innovative marketing, strong digital execution, and commercial excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape Strategic Direction: Define the regional strategic vision and multi-year marketing plan, guiding portfolio priorities across new product launches, product renewals, and core portfolio development.
• Drive Market Insights: Gather and analyse consumer and market insights, sharing findings with global stakeholders to ensure new developments align with local market needs.
• Advocate for Local Markets: Collaborate closely with international stakeholders on projects and marketing strategies, ensuring global plans are relevant and effective across regional markets.
• Empower Local Activation: Guide and support country teams in developing effective local strategies that create integrated and engaging consumer brand experiences.
• Optimise Core & Key Products: Support country teams in successfully developing key product categories and managing the core portfolio.
• Executive Communication: Develop compelling strategic narratives for senior management and support country teams with executive-level presentations and meetings.
• Localise Content: Provide guidance on the regional adaptation of communication materials, advertising assets, and marketing content.
• Influence Commercial Strategy: Contribute to media, pricing, promotional, and market research strategies across the region.
• Develop Talent: Build marketing capability across the region by coaching local teams and sharing best practices.
• Team Leadership: Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing regional team.

Leadership Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong entrepreneurial leadership and the ability to:

• Innovate: Anticipate future trends and inspire teams to develop new ideas, digital solutions, and creative marketing strategies.
• Strategise: Take a long-term view while navigating ambiguity and complex multi-market environments to establish clear priorities and sustainable growth strategies.
• Engage: Inspire and mobilise cross-functional teams and external partners through strong communication, passion, and a shared vision.
• Achieve with Integrity: Deliver strong business results with accountability, high standards, ethical leadership, and corporate responsibility.
• Lead by Example: Foster an inclusive, diverse, collaborative environment where people feel valued and empowered to develop.
• Interact & Connect: Build effective relationships across multiple countries, cultures, functions, and stakeholder groups.

Professional & Technical Competencies

• Market & Consumer Insight: Identify market drivers and translate consumer trends and insights into actionable strategies.
• Brand Development: Develop brand strategies, identify opportunities for innovation, create integrated campaigns, and incorporate retail and shopper expertise.
• Activation Excellence: Deliver high-quality market activation with agility, commercial awareness, and operational rigour.
• Collaborative Leadership: Build strong collaboration across markets and functions while sharing and leveraging best practices.
• Strategic & Financial Leadership: Lead cross-functional budget and resource allocation processes, develop and defend multi-year growth plans, and act as a strategic advisor to senior regional leadership.

Requirements & Profile
Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years' experience in Brand Management, Marketing, or Commercial leadership.
• Experience within FMCG, Beauty, Retail, or related consumer-facing industries.
• Experience within multinational organisations and emerging markets/Africa is strongly preferred.

Education

• Master's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related discipline.

Skills

• Proven track record in new product development and 360-degree campaign execution, including strong digital marketing expertise.
• Excellent project management, analytical, commercial, and financial acumen.
• Strong strategic mindset combined with operational execution.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to influence senior and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, communication, and presentation skills.