Brand Manager - FMCG Innovation

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Generous annual leave

Training programs

Career progression

Employee discounts

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni, Gauteng, seeks a dynamic Brand Manager to spearhead new product development and brand innovation. You will identify market opportunities, craft innovative concepts, and launch them successfully, working with R&D, marketing, and sales to bring exciting brands to life.

The role focuses on consumer insights, product development lifecycles, and strategic brand direction within FMCG, with growth-driven expectations and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field; master's preferred.
• 4–6 years of brand/product management experience in FMCG.
• Proven track record launching new products/brands.
• Strong consumer insights, market research, and product development lifecycle.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytics, and problem-solving.
• Excellent project management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Creative mindset with passion for innovation and market trends.
• Proficient in MS Office; experience with PM tools is a plus.
• Able to work with Benoni-based team.

Responsibilities

• Identify market gaps and consumer needs to drive development of new FMCG products and brands.
• Lead the product innovation process from concept generation through to market launch.
• Develop brand strategies and positioning for new products.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and consumer testing.
• Collaborate with R&D, packaging, and manufacturing teams to ensure viability and quality.
• Develop go-to-market plans including marketing, pricing, and distribution strategies.
• Manage brand budget for innovation projects and monitor post-launch performance.
• Stay abreast of FMCG trends and technologies.

Skills

Brand management

Product development

Market research

Cross-functional work

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Project management

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Business

Master's degree (advantageous)

Tools

MS Office Suite

PM tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is seeking a dynamic and creative Brand Manager to spearhead new product development and brand innovation initiatives from their Benoni, Gauteng office. This exciting role focuses on identifying market opportunities, developing innovative product concepts, and launching them successfully into the market. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of consumer insights, product development processes, and brand strategy within the FMCG context. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, marketing, and sales, to bring exciting new brands and products to life. This is a unique opportunity to drive growth through innovation in a fast-paced industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify market gaps and consumer needs to drive the development of new FMCG products and brands.
• Lead the product innovation process from concept generation through to market launch.
• Develop comprehensive brand strategies and positioning for new products.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and consumer testing to validate new product ideas.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, packaging, and manufacturing teams to ensure product viability and quality.
• Develop go-to-market plans, including marketing, pricing, and distribution strategies for new launches.
• Manage the brand budget for innovation projects, ensuring adherence to financial targets.
• Monitor post-launch performance and gather consumer feedback for future product enhancements.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in the FMCG market.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field; a Master's degree is advantageous.
• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in brand management, product management, or marketing, with a strong emphasis on innovation within the FMCG industry.
• Demonstrated success in launching new products or brands into the market.
• Excellent understanding of consumer insights, market research, and product development lifecycles.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solver skills.
• Exceptional project management and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Creative mindset with a passion for innovation and a keen eye for market trends.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite; experience with project management tools is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively within the Benoni-based team.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience, along with performance-based bonuses and other incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits include medical aid, a retirement fund, and generous annual leave.
• The company is committed to employee development, offering extensive training programs and clear career progression paths.
• You will be part of a dynamic and creative team environment that values innovation and collaboration.
• Additional perks include employee discounts and access to company events.