BRAND GENERAL MANAGER | SSA | GLOBAL FMCG/BEAUTY

SUMMARY:
The Brand General Manager – Sub-Saharan Africa is responsible for driving the overall brand vision, strategic growth, and performance across the SSA region. 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.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities Shape Strategic Direction: Define the regional strategic vision and multi-year marketing plan, guiding portfolio priorities across new product launches, product renewals, and core portfolio development. Drive Market Insights: Gather and analyse consumer and market insights, sharing findings with global stakeholders to ensure new developments align with local market needs. Advocate for Local Markets: Collaborate closely with international stakeholders on projects and marketing strategies, ensuring global plans are relevant and effective across regional markets. Empower Local Activation: Guide and support country teams in developing effective local strategies that create integrated and engaging consumer brand experiences. Optimise Core & Key Products: Support country teams in successfully developing key product categories and managing the core portfolio. Executive Communication: Develop compelling strategic narratives for senior management and support country teams with executive-level presentations and meetings. Localise Content: Provide guidance on the regional adaptation of communication materials, advertising assets, and marketing content. Influence Commercial Strategy: Contribute to media, pricing, promotional, and market research strategies across the region. Develop Talent: Build marketing capability across the region by coaching local teams and sharing best practices. Team Leadership: Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing regional team. Leadership Competencies The successful candidate will demonstrate strong entrepreneurial leadership and the ability to: Innovate: Anticipate future trends and inspire teams to develop new ideas, digital solutions, and creative marketing strategies. Strategise: Take a long-term view while navigating ambiguity and complex multi-market environments to establish clear priorities and sustainable growth strategies. Engage: Inspire and mobilise cross-functional teams and external partners through strong communication, passion, and a shared vision. Achieve with Integrity: Deliver strong business results with accountability, high standards, ethical leadership, and corporate responsibility. Lead by Example: Foster an inclusive, diverse, collaborative environment where people feel valued and empowered to develop. Interact & Connect: Build effective relationships across multiple countries, cultures, functions, and stakeholder groups. Professional & Technical Competencies Market & Consumer Insight: Identify market drivers and translate consumer trends and insights into actionable strategies. Brand Development: Develop brand strategies, identify opportunities for innovation, create integrated campaigns, and incorporate retail and shopper expertise. Activation Excellence: Deliver high-quality market activation with agility, commercial awareness, and operational rigour. Collaborative Leadership: Build strong collaboration across markets and functions while sharing and leveraging best practices. Strategic & Financial Leadership: Lead cross-functional budget and resource allocation processes, develop and defend multi-year growth plans, and act as a strategic advisor to senior regional leadership. Requirements & Profile Experience Minimum 8-10 years' experience in Brand Management, Marketing, or Commercial leadership. Experience within FMCG, Beauty, Retail, or related consumer-facing industries . Experience within multinational organisations and emerging markets\/Africa is strongly preferred. Education Master's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related discipline . Skills Proven track record in new product development and 360-degree campaign execution , including strong digital marketing expertise. Excellent project management, analytical, commercial, and financial acumen . Strong strategic mindset combined with operational execution. Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to influence senior and cross-functional stakeholders. Strong leadership, communication, and presentation skills.