Retail Project Manager (Private Brand) at Massmart

About the job

Summary:

To ensure execution of growth in Private Brand within Massmart Wholesale, through leadership of projects and delegation of activities to ensure all Private Brand financial and commercial objectives are met.

Functions / Responsibilities:

Private Brand Strategy Execution

• Executing annual PB strategic New Product Development (NPD) priorities with reference to category opportunities and performance, market performance targets and group strategy.
• Adjust annual NPD plan/s dynamically based on ongoing market performance inputs.

Private Brand Project Management

• Provide an efficient project management service across Massmart Wholesale private brand projects to ensure one picture of all product development projects for the Makro and Masscash chains.
• Identify and implement product development process documents, trackers and dashboards and keep them updated.
• Keep activities on track and find solutions for the road blocks.
• Work across Food, Liquor and GM.
• Ensure correct procedures are followed across NPD. Manage the NPD process in its entirety, with the assistance of the private brand junior brand managers. This requires management and documentation of every element of the NPD process.
• Provide daily, weekly and monthly priority tracker performance analysis with updates and areas of concern.
• Provide input and analysis as required for forum reviews, buyer reviews and compliance reporting on project timelines.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance in all relevant areas including; brand marks and class regulations, Letter of Authority, Religious audits, Consumer Protection Act, Massmart Audit Requirements, Product Health & Safety Standards and Product Recalls are all followed and approved along the NPD process.
• Ensure well organized and retrievable digital archiving of all materials associated with designated PB focus area at SKU level including; all approvals of artwork, spec etc
• Identify/formulate and document product relevant regulatory, packaging, labelling, safety, quality and related compliance processes and protocols in close collaboration with subject matter experts (including; manufacturing, packaging and sustainability experts) and compliance team in designated categories where there is/are PB focus area/s.
• Follow up with Massmart Centre of Excellence with regards to Group Shared private brands to ensure on track with all of their group projects. Add and adjust the priority document.
• Traffic manage Massmart wholesale design and project work for alignment and efficiency.

Performance Optimisation

• Together with the Analytics team, monitor PB performance metrics through sales performance against target and implementing ongoing performance improvement initiatives relative to the category.
• Compile monthly performance against budget reports including opportunities for managing risk and improving budget performance in designated PB focus area/s.
• Analyze performance data toward identifying opportunities to improve PB focus area assortment including discontinuing underperforming SKU’s, innovating SKU specifications, launching new SKU’s against overall category performance.

Third Party Vendor Management

Coordinate third party vendor relations associated with designated PB focus area/s in terms of agreed service level agreements: Food Consulting Services, Website services where applicable, design and analytics.

Requirements:

Minimum Academic, Professional Qualifications & Experience required for this position

• Grade 12
• Tertiary qualification – degree or diploma – and preferably a Project Management qualification
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in project management and brand management - preferably in Private Brands/ House brands, and in retail or FMCG
• Experience: Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills favourable (pivot tables)
• Strategic understanding of brands, understanding of private brand execution, category management and the workings of the retail supply chain

Competencies:

• Project Management experience
• Goal orientated
• Attention to detail
• Solutions driven
• Demonstrate professional judgement
• Meet internal and external customer needs
• Focus on execution and results
• Plan for and improve performance
• Build influence
• Model ethics and compliance
• Adapt professionally