Product Manager – Pharmaceutical Front Shop Brands | Johannesburg

Herbst Alliance?; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 60 000 - 90 000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare marketing firm in Johannesburg seeks an experienced Product Manager to transform OTC healthcare brands. In this pivotal role, you'll analyze sales data, develop impactful strategies, and negotiate prime shelf space in retail. Your experience with consumer brands is essential. Join us and make a real difference in the health and wellness of South Africans.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Professional development budget

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• You've managed consumer brands that people actually bought (pharmacy / FMCG preferred).
• You've turned data into strategies that increased sales.
• You understand retail - planograms, gondolas, and shelf psychology excite you.

Responsibilities

• Analyze sales data to optimize shelf strategies.
• Lead creative brainstorming for wellness brand campaigns.
• Negotiate prime shelf space with retail partners.

Skills

Data-driven strategy development

Negotiation with retailers

Understanding of retail planograms

Consumer insight knowledge

Education

Marketing degree

Job description

Product Manager – Pharmaceutical Front Shop Brands | Johannesburg

Transform How Millions of South Africans Take Care of Their HealthWhy This Opportunity Is Exciting...

Build the future of OTC healthcare in Africa's most dynamic market alongside industry veterans who've launched iconic brands.

Have real decision-making power over brands worth millions.

See your strategies come to life on pharmacy shelves across the country within weeks, not years.

Imagine walking into any major retailer and seeing YOUR gondola display strategy driving sales.

That's the impact you'll have.

A Day in Your Life (Why You'll Love This Role)

Monday Morning : Analysing weekend sales data showing your latest shelf strategy increased basket size by 15%.

The leadership team acknowledges your contribution.

Tuesday : Leading a creative brainstorm with colleagues to reach young families with wellness brands.

Your idea becomes the campaign.

Wednesday : Walking pharmacy floors with retail partners, negotiating prime shelf space because they trust your track record of driving their category growth.

Thursday : Presenting your consumer insights uncovered a R10M opportunity that competitors missed.

Friday : Celebrating with your team because the brand you repositioned just hit #1 market share.

Then heading home early because work-life balance matters.

The Real Impact You'll Make

Direct P&L involvement with brands that South African families rely on daily

Transform shopping experiences for millions of pharmacy customers monthly

Help launch new products that address real health needs

Mentor junior marketers who will become future industry leaders

Shape health conversations through brand campaigns

What Actually Matters

• You've managed consumer brands that people actually bought (pharmacy / FMCG preferred)
• You've turned data into strategies that increased sales
• You understand retail - planograms, gondolas, and shelf psychology excite you
• You've worked with retailers and won negotiations
• You know South African consumers and what makes them tick

Nice to Have (But Can Be Developed)

Marketing degree (honestly, experience matters more)

MBA (great, but we value practical experience equally)

Pharmaceutical background (helpful, but consumer goods experience translates)

Common Frustrations in Similar Roles

Many professionals in this field experience :

Endless meetings with no decision-making power

Strategies delayed by corporate bureaucracy

Working on brands with little personal connection

Unclear career progression

Ideas implemented without proper recognition

The alternative

Autonomy.

Direct access to leadership.

Credit for your work.

Clear progression.

Brands that matter.

The Package

Competitive salary based on experience

Performance bonus linked to brand results

Benefits package including

• Professional development budget
• Conference attendance opportunities
• Flexible working arrangements

Career Progression

• Portfolio ownership within months
• Product launch leadership within a year
• Potential for senior position within 2-3 years
• Path to director-level roles for high performers

Application Process

• Submit your CV
• Initial conversation within days
• Brief discussion about your experience
• Case study exercise
• Meet key team members
• Prompt feedback throughout
• We respect your time and aim for an efficient process.

Why Apply Now

Join before the next planning cycle

Be part of upcoming category launches

Positions at this level rarely open

How to Stand Out

Skip the formal cover letter.

Instead, answer ONE question :

"What's the boldest marketing decision you've made, and what happened?"

Send your CV and answer (max words) to :

Subject : "Front Shop PM - (Your boldest decision in 5 words)"

Not Sure You're Ready?

There's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate.

If you have 70% of what we're looking for, apply anyway.

We're interested in potential and passion, not just experience.

One Final Thought

If you've read this far, you might be exactly who our client is looking for.

People who pay attention to details excel in this role.

Apply now.

Help build something incredible.

Herbst AllianceTM - Connecting Marketing Talent

Part of the HerbstTM Group of Companies

This opportunity could transform how millions access everyday healthcare.

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