Brand Manager - New Product Development (FMCG)

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work setup

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonuses

Continuous learning opportunities

Autonomy and impact

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Brand Manager specialized in New Product Development (NPD) for a fully remote role within South Africa. You will lead the end-to-end NPD lifecycle, from concept to market launch and post-launch analysis, collaborating with R&D, marketing, sales, and supply chain.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of FMCG brand experience, strong analytical and strategic thinking, and excellent communication for remote collaboration with Gauteng teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Business Administration; MBA or Master's is a plus.
• 5+ years in FMCG brand management with a focus on NPD.
• Proven track record of launching new products.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Solid knowledge of consumer insights, market research methodologies, and product lifecycle management.
• Excellent project management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Creative thinker with a proactive and results-oriented mindset.
• Excellent remote communication and presentation skills for Gauteng teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and launch of new FMCG products from ideation to market.
• Conduct market research, insights analysis, and competitive assessments to identify opportunities.
• Collaborate with R&D, marketing, sales, and supply chain throughout the NPD process.
• Develop business cases, product positioning, and marketing strategies for launches.
• Manage timelines, budgets, and resources for NPD initiatives.
• Oversee consumer testing and refine concepts based on feedback.
• Create go-to-market plans including pricing, distribution and promotions.
• Monitor post-launch performance and optimize as needed.
• Stay updated on trends and innovations in FMCG.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Creative thinking

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Business Administration

MBA or relevant Master's degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking leader in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is actively seeking an innovative and strategic Brand Manager specializing in New Product Development (NPD). This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within **South Africa**, but requiring close collaboration with our client's core teams and stakeholders.

You will be at the forefront of bringing exciting new products to market, from concept generation and market research to product launch and post-launch analysis. The ideal candidate will possess a passion for innovation, a deep understanding of consumer needs within the FMCG space, and a proven ability to manage the entire NPD lifecycle. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future product portfolio of a renowned brand and drive significant growth through successful product introductions. You will play a pivotal role in identifying market opportunities and translating them into commercially viable products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and launch of new FMCG products, from ideation to market introduction.
• Conduct comprehensive market research, consumer insights analysis, and competitive landscape assessments to identify unmet needs and opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, marketing, sales, and supply chain teams throughout the NPD process.
• Develop business cases, product positioning, and marketing strategies for new product launches.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources for NPD initiatives.
• Oversee consumer testing and gather feedback to refine product concepts and marketing approaches.
• Develop go-to-market plans, including pricing, distribution, and promotional strategies for new products.
• Monitor new product performance post-launch and make recommendations for optimization.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and innovations in the FMCG sector.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or relevant Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in brand management, with a strong focus on New Product Development within the FMCG industry.
• Proven track record of successfully launching new products into the market.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent understanding of consumer insights, market research methodologies, and product lifecycle management.
• Exceptional project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Creative thinker with a proactive and results-oriented mindset.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, essential for remote collaboration with teams in **Gauteng**.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and the significant advantage of a fully remote work setup. You will have access to continuous learning and development opportunities, including training on the latest NPD methodologies. This role provides a high degree of autonomy and the chance to make a tangible impact on product innovation within the FMCG industry. Enjoy a dynamic and rewarding career from anywhere in **South Africa**, driving the launch of exciting new products.