Senior Key Account Manager - Consumer Products Division at L'Oréal

A Day in the Life

• As a Senior Key Account Manager in our Consumer Products Division, you will be instrumental in shaping the future of our brands within South Africa. You will cultivate strategic partnerships with key retail accounts, becoming a trusted advisor who understands their business and delivers L'Oréal’s innovative beauty solutions to a diverse market.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Account Management: Cultivate and deepen relationships with key retail accounts across South Africa, serving as their primary contact for L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division.
• Business Development: Develop and implement innovative joint business plans (JBPs) with key accounts, maximizing brand presence, driving sales growth, and enhancing market share within the dynamic South African retail landscape.
• Negotiation & Commercial Agreements: Lead complex negotiations with key accounts, securing advantageous terms and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Retail Activation & Category Management Expertise: Collaborate with key retailers to develop and execute effective category strategies, promotions, and in-store activations that resonate with the South African consumer.
• Market Analysis & Insights: Conduct thorough market research and analysis, identifying growth opportunities and potential challenges within the South African and Sub-Saharan African markets.
• Collaboration & Communication: Work seamlessly with internal L'Oréal teams (Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance) to ensure alignment and deliver a consistent brand experience across all channels.

Technical & Professional Competencies Required:

• Deep Understanding of South African Retail Landscape: Proven experience navigating the nuances of the South African retail market, with a strong understanding of local consumer preferences and buying behaviours.
• Strong Commercial Acumen: A solid grasp of P&L principles, sales drivers, and the ability to develop strategic account plans that align with L'Oréal's overall business objectives.
• Exceptional Relationship Building & Influencing Skills: Proven ability to build rapport and trust with key stakeholders at all levels within retail organizations.
• Analytical & Data-Driven Decision Making: Highly analytical with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop actionable strategies to optimize performance.
• Results-Oriented & Proactive: A passion for exceeding targets, driving growth, and proactively identifying opportunities to improve business outcomes.

Education, Knowledge & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in Key Account Management, with a focus on the South African retail market, ideally within the FMCG or beauty industry.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and growing key accounts.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis and reporting.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems is highly desirable.