Retail Strategy Manager

**CORE PURPOSE OF THE JOB**

The Retail Strategy Manager will oversee strategic retail initiatives that will support the development of growth plans and profitability goals within the Company. Responsible for conceptualising retail marketing ideas, making evaluative judgements and developing creative concepts for client. Responsible for enhancing the strategic partnership with key client by delivering relevant actionable insights, and strategic leadership.
- Developing a shopper marketing strategy for client based on shopper insights.
- Tailoring shopper marketing campaigns according to insights from consumers.
- Overseeing beginning to end multi-channel shopper marketing campaigns.
- Developing point of sale for use in store
- Project management of various marketing campaigns.
- Delivering activation plans that span the entire shopper journey.
- Tracking and reporting results of various in store marketing campaigns.
- Managing brand budgets and maximising return on investment.
**REQUIREMENTS**

Degree or diploma equivalent in Marketing ESSENTIAL

Minimum 5-10 years experience in Marketing

A background in Project Management and Marketing Management would be advantageous.

SA Citizens only

Must be Criminal Clear

Must reside in Durban or be willing to relocate

**Experience**

Must have assumed a leadership role within a Creative Department/Agency.

Ideally should come from an advertising or marketing background

Has experience relative to conducting creative pitches to customers.
**Behaviours, Knowledge, Skills and Attributes**

Must be an exceptional thinker and visionary in thought

Excellent design skills, including typography, layout, colour and conceptual

Strong communication, inter-personal, leadership skills

A keen understanding of people, management processes, and customers needs

Must be customer focused and flexible with good relationship-building skills

Work with multiple projects under strict deadlines

Must be well-read, open to new ideas and influences and quick to react to changing trends.

Good business sense and sales ability with strong presentation skills.

Great collaborative skills, rigorous analytical skills and strong creative drive
**Technical skills**

Strong technical ability in conceptual and structural design

Ability to develop project plans, schedules, work breakdown structures and to lead and coordinate projects.

Skilled in organizing resources and establishing priorities.

Familiar with Apple Mac and Microsoft Office

Strong ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

**DIMENSIONS**

Continuous research and investigation on market trends to enhance and enrich the position and image of the client

Have a direct line and work closely with Group Strategic Director

Work closely with clients Regional DCs and National Marketing team

Interaction with Agency and feedback / present on opportunities to assist client

Providing inspiration and guidance to the National Sales Manager & Head Office Account Manager to assist in conceptualizing relevant retail marketing ideas
**PRINCIPLE DELIVERABLES**

**Strategy**

Develop retail and shopper strategy for ad-hoc specialised projects, working closely with the client to create innovative and focused strategies that drive long term partnerships, brand, category, shopper and retailer opportunities and growth.

Provide strategic direction for relevant retail marketing solutions, including but not limited to selecting and influencing appropriate shopper messaging, visual cues, recommended display solutions and in-store zoning to achieve the clients brief requirements.

Ensure that the National Sales Manager and Head Office Account Manager are aligned to the sell-in strategy

Manage and drive a customised Shopper Marketing Model that systematically handles specialised projects for client in a collaborative and unique manner distinct from workshop brainstorming.

I**nternal Marketing and Value Add**

Regular internal presentations that pertain to key areas of interest and value such as Trade and Trend reports, relevant research findings and key business learnings.

Work closely with the Group Strategic Director to keep up to date with all of marketing initiatives through all touch points (such as sales tools, website, indoor and outdoor branding).

Create pro-active trade, shopper and retailer innovation reports for client, driving a deeper and more strategic relationship with them by offering unique and relevant intelligence that benefits their brands and creates future collaborative partnerships and business opportunities.

Create an on-going dialogue with client and Agency through innovative initiatives.

Ensure pro-activeness in responding to client briefs to solicit business.

**Briefing**

To interpret client''''s brief requirements and develop cutting edge strategy, outlining required solutions & shopper communication that are aligned to the clients objectives and that maximize the potential of the clients brand