Brand Manager

Recruitment Matters Africa (Pvt) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading marketing firm in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Brand Manager to drive growth and value across the Beer category through strategic marketing and brand activation. The ideal candidate will have a strong FMCG background with at least 5 years of experience, focusing on optimizing brand communication and profitability. Strong analytical skills and the ability to lead creative initiatives are essential. Join us to enhance brand success and ensure alignment with business goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant marketing experience, prefer FMCG categories.
• Strong understanding of the FMCG value chain.
• Ability to apply consumer insights to campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Support creation and execution of Beer Category strategy.
• Manage brand target setting, ATL/BTL budgets and communication plans.
• Collaborate with trade marketing for effective brand activation.

Skills

Strong commercial acumen

Analytical skills

Cross-functional and project management skills

Creative thinking

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Education

Honours or postgraduate qualification in Commercial or Brand Marketing

Job description

Our client is seeking a Brand Manager to drive growth and value creation for assigned brands within the Beer category through strategic marketing, brand activations, and consumer-focused campaigns.

The role ensures the delivery of operating targets, marketing objectives, and profitability across key markets by optimizing innovation, brand communications, pricing, and sponsorships.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy: Support the creation and execution of the Beer Category strategy; use consumer and market insights to build strong brands in key focus markets; apply channel‑specific thinking to activate brands with relevant communication strategies; contribute to competitive strategy reviews to identify implications and learnings; ensure profitable and sustainable brand growth using best practices and commercial acumen; deliver against commercial targets derived from business goals; support brand strategy development, including pricing, SKU management, brand positioning, and communications within allocated resources; engage monthly with regional and global stakeholders to ensure strategy alignment and consistency.
• Planning: Support the annual development of brand plans; manage brand target setting, ATL / BTL budgets, degree communication plans, activity calendars, and activation plans; align brand team strategies with trade marketing for effective execution; lead agency management, briefing, and internal approvals.
• Execution: Collaborate with trade marketing to plan, monitor, and execute brand activation plans within budget; brief internal and external suppliers to ensure excellent execution of activations and sponsorships; monitor monthly ATL / BTL spend across markets according to annual plans; manage day‑to‑day agency relationships and internal stakeholder interactions (procurement, finance, trade marketing, and sales).

Monitoring / Reporting

• Track, analyze, and use financial and market data to optimize brand investment and campaign effectiveness; interpret insights from market trends, media, and consumer behaviour; manage brand development budget, invoicing, and spend.

People

• Lead personal and career development initiatives.

Job Requirements

Education

• Honours or postgraduate qualification in Commercial or Brand Marketing.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant marketing experience, preferably across FMCG categories (alcohol experience advantageous).
• Strong understanding of the FMCG value chain.
• Proven cross‑functional and project management skills.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and planning capability.
• Expertise in executing marketing plans.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills.
• Ability to apply consumer insights to campaigns.
• Demonstrated creativity and experience leading creative work and agency partnerships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Passion for business and continuous learning.

Functional Competencies

• Consumer‑centric approach
• Portfolio management
• Integrated commercial planning
• Brand strategy development
• Breakthrough communications
• Brand profitability management
• Innovation and renovation
• Store‑back marketing
• Route‑to‑market and channel understanding

Behaviors

• Deliver results and celebrate success
• Think consumer first and make courageous decisions
• Champion inclusion and collaboration
• Embrace learning, growth, and development