Brand Manager White Spirits - Sandton Gauteng or Cape Town Western Cape at The Heineken Company

Main responsibilities include:

• Further developing, in conjunction with the Senior Brand Manager, the brands’ strategic positioning with particular emphasis on the brand strategy, brand communication & media strategy, and channel execution strategies
• Contributing to the planning cycle by providing strategic input into long term plans, using all tools necessary to understand consumer & customer motivations and ensuring brand equity and market share development
• Work with the Channel Managers and Regional Trade Marketing Managers to support the development of a visibility & incentive toolkits to reinforce iconic brand assets & keep the brand top of mind 
• Direct and liaise with the Channel & Commercial Teams across On-Trade, Off-Trade and eCommerce
• Work with the Events and Activations (HQ & Regional) teams to bring the brand to life in the market with fit for consumer events/activations/experiences
• Managing the evaluation of the brands’ performance using all available tools in conjunction with regular trade and customer visits including regular attendance at relevant consumer connections
• Managing the brands’ packaging development with focus on improving costs in conjunction with Supply Chain. Working with internal and external brand owners to ensure appropriate marketing mix including pack design and developments
• Influencing and developing the innovation strategy for the brand
• Zero Based Budgeting and Rolling Forecasts - Managing, controlling and reporting on the brand budget
• Management of Brand renovation projects, liaising with Innovation, Finance, Supply Chain and Commercial colleagues to bring new SKUs to the market’
• Any other duties assigned from time to time

Critical Experience:

• A Bachelor's Degree (preferably in business/marketing) with at least 3 years experience in a marketing role
• Proven experience of Strategic Brand Management, Creative Advertising Development, Digital, Media strategy, Sponsorship, BTL/Trade Marketing, Portfolio management, Packaging development
• Be self- motivated, creative and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels
• Be highly analytical with effective planning, organisational, presentation and strategic skills to perform in a demanding environment
• Display strong leadership skills with capability of using a range of leadership styles to engage key stakeholders, groups, teams and individuals
• An effective communicator with capability to establish a strong collaborative way of working across the business to generate winning solutions
• Proven agency management
• A creative mind with a passion for crafting exceptional brand experiences