Marketing Operations Manager - Irene

Talent Evolution (Pty) Ltd; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in South Africa seeks a Marketing Operations Manager to drive profitability and product innovation. Responsibilities include strategic planning, NPD, brand management, and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with experience in FMCG or luxury brands, possessing strong leadership and project management skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar marketing operations role.
• Post Grade 12 qualification (degree or equivalent) required.
• Experience in FMCG or luxury brands is highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual category, brand, and product plans.
• Lead the New Product Development (NPD) process from concept to market launch.
• Manage product lifecycle and stock planning while ensuring compliance with regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Marketing, Business or related field

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

Role OverviewThe Marketing Operations Manager is responsible for leading the strategic planning, execution, and operational management of brand, category, and product initiatives.

This role focuses on driving profitability, product innovation, and growth through cross-functional coordination with procurement, operations, suppliers, and internal teams.

It also oversees product lifecycle management (PLM), stock planning, new product development (NPD), and the implementation of efficient marketing systems and processes.The successful candidate will have a commercial mindset, a strong grasp of market trends, and the ability to translate strategic vision into actionable, measurable results.

Leadership, project management, and innovation are central to the success of this role.Key ResponsibilitiesCategory & Brand Planning

Develop and implement annual category, brand, and product plans to support growth and profitability objectives.

Design and manage brand campaigns and category-level marketing initiatives.

New Product Development (NPD)

Conduct research on market trends, competitor activity, and consumer behaviour.

Lead the NPD process from concept to market launch.

Identify commercially viable innovations in ingredients, packaging, and product concepts.

Product Lifecycle & Stock Management

Collaborate with procurement and operations teams to manage stock planning and movement.

Ensure sufficient promotional activity and innovation to drive inventory turnover.

Clear ageing or expiring stock proactively.

Guide annual brand and SKU-level growth forecasts and targets.

Manage product costing to ensure financial targets are met across purchasing and packaging.

Negotiate with manufacturers and suppliers to optimise costs and ensure compliance with quality and business requirements.

Maintain supplier agreements and oversee fulfilment of business processes.

Regulatory & Export Compliance

Ensure all products meet legal and regulatory requirements for local and export markets, including CAMS compliance.

Oversee accuracy and legality of product labelling and ingredient information.

Project & People Management

Lead and manage departmental projects and cross-functional initiatives.

Provide leadership, coaching, and performance development to team members.

Improve and implement marketing systems, tools, and operational processes.

Requirements

Post Grade 12 qualification (degree or equivalent in Marketing, Business, or related field).

Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar marketing operations role.

Experience in FMCG or luxury brand environments is highly advantageous.

Valid driver's license.

Key Attributes

Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills.

Commercially driven with an ability to deliver measurable business outcomes.

Strong organisational, time management, and negotiation skills.

Effective communicator (both written and verbal).

Ability to manage and grow people through coaching and leadership.

Customer-focused with the ability to work with diverse teams and suppliers.

Independent, self-motivated, and adaptable in a high-pressure environment.

Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and ERP systems.

Able to prioritise, meet deadlines, and operate with flexibility in time and location.Should you not receive a response within 10 working days, please consider your application unsuccessful.