Brand Specialist: Global Youth Culture Fmcg Brand

We have an ace opportunity for a first-rate, Mid-weight Brand Specialist to join the in-house Marketing team at a funky global youth culture FMCG Brand’s Cape Town HQ.

The Brand Specialist works closely with the Head of Brand Marketing on understanding and gathering consumer insights and market research, specifically what drives top-of-mind awareness, brand salience and per capita consumption.

In this exciting role you will be responsible for running the day-to-day “brand operations” in the fields of research, advertising, branding, new products and packaging initiatives and brand projects. You will work together with the Head of Brand Marketing as the “guardians of the brand”.

If you have a knack for understanding consumer behaviour, the ability to live and breathe a brand, along with solid FMCG experience, we’d love to hear from you. This is an unmissable opportunity to work with one of the coolest brands on the planet

**Responsibilities**:
Consumer Insights & Market Research
- Supports the Head of Brand Marketing with turning data into compelling insights which are actionable and relevant, and ensures these insights are addressed through adequate ideas and plans
- When focusing on the younger segment of the target group, monitors the consumer’s perception about brand and products in social media
- Sustains or strengthens the brand part of the trial and awareness study; past 4 week/12-month consumption, TOM awareness and brand salience.

Brand Management
- Leads and contributes the “brand part” of projects of marketing peers as well as on/off premise and trade marketing
- Builds new cross-functional tools, such as sales/marketing programs or trade marketing
- Works closely with the Head of Brand Marketing and all other country marketing specialists and International HQ specialists to share learnings, best practices, to align plans, share latest updates and insights
- Instigates and participates in creative sessions to develop tactics and assess best practice case studies
- Always has the “consumer” and “brand” eye in every single project and ensures we talk to the consumer in the most effective and efficient way with a strong focus on digital and social media, while ensuring that all the communication stays within the brand equity.

Advertising & Creative
- Creates branding and through the line communication for specific marketing projects in strong collaboration with the respective marketing functions
- Supports the Advertising Manager in developing and implements the ideal advertising plan ensuring international and local learnings and the right country-specific level of digital and social components, and always with international best practices in mind
- Works closely with the Programming Team to amplify the impact of advertising on own, managed & earned media channels
- Supports the Head of Brand Marketing with controlling creative and media agencies to ensure correct contractual set-up and strong working relationships to deliver world class creative output.

Product & Packaging Innovation
- Lead and manage solid product launches in the market. Understand which packaging solution addresses country specific needs, as well as lead and/or manage the launch proposal
- Collect all learnings to share locally and with International HQ.

Business Planning & Budget
- Supports the Marketing Team in developing and implementing the annual business plan.
- Ensures proper project and budget tracking and stays within the agreed budget
- Delivers the brand part of the business plan
- Relationship building
- Builds a strong, transparent, trusty partnership and cooperation with management and personnel
- Strengthens agency service and client/agency relationships.

Relationship Building
- Builds strong, transparent, trusty partnerships and cooperation with management and personnel
- Strengthens agency service and client/agency relationships.

**Requirements**:

- Relevant University Degree
- FMCG brand marketing skills, knowledge, and experience
- Clear understanding of competitor activity and consumer behaviour in a brand and FMCG context
- Able to generate consumer insights and translate them into successful brand initiatives
- Skilled at implementing the business strategy successfully, while managing associated changes and people processes
- Strong analytical ability and commercial acumen to understand financial statements and market trends
- Effective negotiation and interpersonal skills
- High standard of integrity with a passion for the brand and commitment to Brand values
- Ability to focus and follow through on priorities and deliver quality results
- Fluency in English (verbal & written)
- Able to travel when required (20% - 30%).

City: Cape Town

Country: South Africa

Level of Expertise: Mid

Remuneration: Negotiable

Reference Number: #Kim1034

**Kim Steven**:
Consultant