General Manager – Beautyco

Cavi Brands; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG company is seeking a General Manager for BeautyCo. This role involves defining business strategies, managing brand growth, and ensuring profitability. Candidates should have extensive experience in the FMCG or beauty sectors, with a strong track record in P&L management and leadership. The position offers an exciting opportunity to drive innovation and team culture in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years' experience in FMCG, beauty, or consumer goods industries.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record of P&L ownership and business growth.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead business strategy aligned with financial growth objectives.
• Build and manage BeautyCo. brands within FMCG beauty space.
• Lead channel strategies across retail, wholesale, and e-commerce.
• Own and deliver the BeautyCo. P&L, ensuring achievement of targets.
• Lead innovation initiatives - from concept to commercialisation.
• Build and lead a high-performing team reflecting collaboration.
• Partner closely with stakeholders for strategic alignment.

Skills

Strategic and entrepreneurial thinking

Commercial and financial acumen

Innovative problem‑solving

Leadership and people development

Brand building and market execution

Stakeholder influence and relationship management

Adaptability and resilience

Passion for the beauty and consumer goods industry

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or Finance

Job description

Company : BeautyCo.

Purpose of the role

The General Manager will lead BeautyCo., a subsidiary of CAVI Brands, focused on building and scaling a portfolio of high‑performing FMCG beauty brands. The role is responsible for defining and executing the commercial, operational, and brand strategies to establish BeautyCo. as a leading player in the accessible beauty category. The incumbent will drive market expansion, profitability, operational excellence, and people growth while embedding CAVI's values in all aspects of the business.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Business Growth
   Define and lead BeautyCo.'s long‑term business strategy, aligned with CAVI Brands' vision and financial growth objectives. Identify and prioritise growth opportunities across FMCG beauty categories, channels, and geographies. Develop long‑term and short‑term strategic roadmaps and annual operating plans to deliver sustainable revenue and profitability. Lead business diversification through innovation, new brand partnerships, and route‑to‑market optimisation.
2. Brand and Commercial Management
   Build and position BeautyCo. brands within the competitive FMCG beauty space, ensuring strong consumer resonance and trade visibility. Oversee marketing, brand activation, and channel strategies in partnership with internal and external stakeholders. Drive the commercial P&L — ensuring strong alignment between brand plans, pricing, distribution, and promotional investment. Implement effective go‑to‑market strategies for new product launches, ensuring speed, visibility, and scale.
3. Sales and Distribution Excellence
   Lead the development of channel strategies across retail, wholesale, e‑commerce, and emerging markets. Build strong partnerships with key retailers, distributors, and strategic trade partners to maximise distribution, visibility, and sell‑through. Ensure alignment between sales targets, inventory management, and customer demand planning. Drive execution excellence in‑store, supported by clear KPIs and performance tracking.
4. Financial and Operational Management
   Own and deliver the BeautyCo. P&L, ensuring achievement of revenue, profitability, and ROI targets. Develop robust budgeting, forecasting, and reporting frameworks for performance visibility. Establish operational and governance structures suitable for a start‑up environment while ensuring compliance with CAVI Brands policies. Identify and mitigate key business risks to ensure sustainable growth.
5. Innovation and Market Development
   Scan the market for emerging beauty trends, consumer shifts, and competitive opportunities. Lead innovation initiatives – from concept to commercialisation. Evaluate and onboard new brands or partnerships that align with BeautyCo.'s growth and market positioning.
6. Team Leadership and Culture
   Build and lead a high‑performing BeautyCo. team that reflects entrepreneurial energy, agility, and collaboration. Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and learning. Embed CAVI's culture principles to drive performance and purpose‑led growth. Ensure effective succession planning, coaching, and individual development to build organisational capability and achieve retention objectives.
7. Stakeholder and Group Collaboration
   Partner closely with CAVI Brands stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment and operational efficiency. Represent BeautyCo. in key CAVI group forums, ensuring contribution to the group's strategic priorities. Develop and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers, brand principals, and industry networks.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or Finance.
2. 8–10 years' experience in FMCG, beauty, or consumer goods industries, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
3. Proven track record of P&L ownership and business growth.
4. Strong commercial acumen, negotiation, and analytical capability.
5. Demonstrated ability to build brands and lead multi‑disciplinary teams in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.
6. Experience in new business development, brand partnerships, and retail execution.
7. Excellent stakeholder management and presentation skills.
8. Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel locally and internationally.

Key Skills

• Strategic and entrepreneurial thinking
• Commercial and financial acumen
• Innovative problem‑solving
• Leadership and people development
• Brand building and market execution
• Stakeholder influence and relationship management
• Adaptability and resilience
• Passion for the beauty and consumer goods industry

Seniority level : Executive

Employment type : Full‑time

Job function : Management and Manufacturing

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