Role Overview

Introduction

Responsibilities

Job Purpose
The Brand General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa is responsible for driving the overall brand vision, strategic growth, and performance across the SSA zone. This role requires a visionary and agile leader to accelerate market share, expand brand footprint, and connect authentically with diverse African consumers through innovative marketing, strong digital execution, and commercial excellence.

Responsibilities

Duties & Responsibilities
Shape Strategic Direction: Define the SSA zone’s strategic vision and 3-year marketing plan, guiding portfolio priorities across new launches, pillar product renewals, and core catalogue animation.
Drive Market Insights: Gather and analyze consumer and market insights, sharing findings with global teams to ensure new developments align with local needs.
Advocate for Local Needs: Collaborate closely with global stakeholders on projects and marketing mixes, ensuring international plans resonate strongly with regional markets.
Empower Local Activation: Guide and support country teams in crafting effective local strategies to build integrated, engaging consumer brand experiences.
Optimize Core & Pillars: Support countries in successfully animating pillar products and managing the core catalog.
Executive Communication: Craft compelling narratives for top management and support local teams in executive meeting preparation.
Localize Content: Provide guidance on the regional adaptation of communication materials (artwork and advertising assets).
Influence Strategy: Shape media, price & promotional plans, and market research initiatives.
Develop Talent: Foster marketing expertise across the SSA zone by coaching local teams and sharing regional best practices.
Team Leadership: Build, develop, and inspire your own high-performing team.

Requirements

Desired Experience & Qualification

Leadership Competencies
The successful candidate will embody company entrepreneurial culture and demonstrate the following leadership attributes:
Innovates: Envisions the future and inspires teams to pioneer new ideas, digital solutions, and creative marketing strategies tailored to emerging consumer trends.
Strategizes: Takes a long-term view, navigating ambiguity and complex multi-market landscapes to define clear priorities and sustainable growth paths.
Engages: Inspires and mobilizes cross-functional teams and external partners with passion, authentic communication, and a shared vision.
Achieves with Integrity: Drives high-performance business results with accountability, passion for excellence, and strict adherence to ethical standards and corporate responsibility.
Leads by Example (Empathy & Inclusiveness): Fosters a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to grow.
Interacts & Connects: Builds strong, collaborative relationships across different countries, cultures, and functions within the global and local network.

Professional & Technical Competencies
Market & Consumer Insight: Identifies market drivers; translates trends and consumer knowledge into meaningful insights.
Brand Development: Thinks brand strategy; imagines disruptive products & services; develops integrated campaigns that work; integrates retail & shopper expertise.
Activation Excellence: Delivers excellence with agility and rigor; integrates sustainable, business consciousness.
Collaborative Leadership: Creates collaboration for bigger success; shares and leverages best practices.
Strategic & Financial Leadership: Leads cross-brand budget and resource allocation processes; builds and defends multi-year growth plans to senior/regional leadership; acts as trusted strategic advisor to the Zone President.

Requirements & Profile
Experience: Minimum 8-10 years of experience in Brand Management, Marketing, or Commercial leadership within FMCG, Beauty, or Retail (experience within multinational companies and emerging markets/Africa is strongly preferred).
Education: Master’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.

Skills
Proven track record of new product development and 360-degree campaign execution, including strong digital marketing expertise.
Excellent project management, analytical, and financial acumen.
Strategic mindset combined with operational rigor.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
Exceptional leadership and communication.

Monthly Basic Salary
R156 000 plus additional benefits