Business Account Lead at The South African Breweries (SAB)

Key roles and responsibilities:

Strategic Portfolio Management

• Develop Portfolio Strategy: Create and execute strategies for the entire brand portfolio to achieve business goals, market growth, and profitability.
• Align with Business Objectives: Ensure that the brand portfolio strategy aligns with the company’s overall vision, mission, and objectives.
• Portfolio Optimization: Assess and optimize the brand portfolio mix to ensure it meets market demands and leverages growth opportunities.

Brand Strategy and Development

• Brand Positioning: Define and refine the positioning of each brand within the portfolio to target specific market segments effectively.
• Brand Development: Drive the development and enhancement of brand identities, ensuring they resonate with target audiences and differentiate from competitors.
• Innovation: Identify and spearhead new product innovations, line extensions, or brand refreshes to keep the portfolio relevant and competitive.

Market Analysis and Insights

• Conduct Market Research: Analyze market trends, consumer behaviors, and competitive landscape to inform brand strategies and portfolio decisions.
• Performance Tracking: Monitor and evaluate the performance of each brand within the portfolio, using metrics such as sales, market share, and profitability.

Financial Management

• Budget Oversight: Develop and manage budgets for the brand portfolio, ensuring effective allocation of resources and monitoring financial performance.
• Financial Analysis: Conduct financial analysis and forecasting to support strategic decisions and ensure profitability across the portfolio.

Campaign and Initiative Management

• Marketing Campaigns: Oversee the planning and execution of marketing campaigns for brands within the portfolio, ensuring consistency with brand strategies and objectives.
• Promotional Activities: Manage promotional activities, including product launches, events, and trade promotions, to drive brand visibility and consumer engagement.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Internal Coordination: Work closely with other departments (e.g., sales, product development, supply chain) to ensure alignment and support for portfolio initiatives.
• External Partnerships: Build and maintain relationships with external partners, agencies, and vendors to enhance brand activities and market presence.

Brand Health Management

• Monitor Brand Health: Regularly assess the health of each brand in the portfolio, including consumer perception, brand equity, and market performance.
• Address Issues: Identify and address any issues or challenges facing brands, implementing corrective actions as needed to maintain brand strength.

Strategic Reporting and Communication

• Prepare Reports: Develop and present reports on portfolio performance, strategic initiatives, and market insights to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Communicate Strategy: Clearly communicate portfolio strategies and updates to internal teams and ensure alignment with overall business objectives.

Process Improvement

• Enhance Efficiency: Continuously seek opportunities to improve processes and practices within brand management and portfolio strategy.
• Implement Best Practices: Apply best practices and industry trends to optimize brand portfolio management and drive better results.

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead Team: Provide leadership and direction to the brand management team, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment.
• Mentor and Develop: Mentor team members, supporting their professional development and ensuring they have the skills and resources needed to succeed.

Routines & non-negotiables: 

• Daily Scrum to enhance collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement to ensure projects are delivered on/ahead of schedule without quality being compromised.
• Daily use of Adobe Workfront – no email briefs and comms.
• Weekly Planning Sessions.
• Weekly Timesheets – self & teams working on your brands.
• Monthly Brand Wrap Ups – to be submitted by the 3rd of each new month for the previous month.
• Weekly Brand Partner Check-ins. Contact reports to be sent thereafter.
• Quarterly Portfolio Recons – work closely with Senior/s to ensure accuracy of Brand Partner Spend across retainers, OOS & production.
• Monthly Job Closures - GHQ Data compliance is critical for this process.
• Monthly MPR with Dentsu Creative.
• All learning & development + people cycle assessments to be done on/before deadline.
• Must have a good work ethic (punctuality, time keeping, accountability, healthy relationship with colleagues across the business) is required in this role
• Written Communication to respective HOD + your line Manager on key matters regarding staff, accounts and clients is required.

Minimum requirements:

• Higher Degree) or relevant tertiary qualifications/ certificate/Diploma
• 3+ years' experience, as an Account/Business/Marketing/Project Manager with proven track record
• 4+ years in Marketing, Project or Agency industry
• Comprehensive and current knowledge of company offerings and industry trends
• The drive and energy to manage multiple accounts while looking for new opportunities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to understand client needs and handle the negotiation process.
• Strong time management skills.
• Financial aptitude and the ability to manage budgets
• A positive attitude with the ability to rally a team – proactivity is key in this role
• The ability to effectively manage multiple brands simultaneously