Brand Manager

SUMMARY:
Our client is a growing South African fashion and footwear business representing leading international lifestyle brands in the local market.
The business has an ambitious growth strategy and works across wholesale, retail and digital channels, partnering with some of South Africa's leading fashion and retail businesses.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Brand Manager to take ownership of a high-profile international footwear brand and play a key role in its continued growth and development in South Africa.

POSITION INFO:
About the Company Our client is a growing South African fashion and footwear business representing leading international lifestyle brands in the local market. The business has an ambitious growth strategy and works across wholesale, retail and digital channels, partnering with some of South Africa's leading fashion and retail businesses. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Brand Manager to take ownership of a high-profile international footwear brand and play a key role in its continued growth and development in South Africa. About the Role We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded Brand Manager with a strong understanding of fashion, footwear and the South African retail environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall management and growth of the brand across wholesale and retail channels. This will include international supplier relationships, seasonal buying, wholesale account management, brand development, sales growth and close collaboration with marketing and digital teams. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys combining brand building, commercial decision-making, sales and product . Key Responsibilities Brand & International Supplier Management Act as the key point of contact with the international brand\/supplier. Manage ongoing supplier relationships and ensure adherence to international brand standards. Coordinate seasonal product selections, allocations, pricing and marketing requirements. Attend international\/seasonal sales meetings and prepare for seasonal buying. Prepare and present seasonal range and sales presentations. Ensure all required reporting, forecasting and supplier documentation is completed accurately and on time. Wholesale Sales & Key Account Management Manage and develop relationships with key national and independent wholesale customers. Lead seasonal sell-in meetings and present new collections and product ranges. Develop sales plans and secure seasonal orders and commitments. Monitor customer orders from placement through to delivery, ensuring issues are resolved promptly. Identify opportunities to increase sales, product range and distribution within existing accounts. Drive sell-through through promotions, staff training, merchandising and regular customer\/store visits. Identify opportunities to expand the brand's presence within key retail groups. Buying & Product Management Develop seasonal buy plans based on historical performance, market trends and commercial opportunities. Attend seasonal range reviews and select products aligned with the South African market. Analyse sales performance and identify key styles and growth opportunities. Coordinate monthly forecasting and buying requirements. Maintain accurate buy plans and ensure supplier confirmations, orders and invoices reconcile correctly. Monitor stock, deliveries, cancellations and product availability. Marketing & Brand Development Work closely with the Marketing Manager to develop and execute local brand initiatives. Ensure marketing activities are aligned with international brand guidelines. Assist with local campaigns, product launches, influencer activity and promotional initiatives. Ensure consistent brand positioning across wholesale, retail and digital channels. Identify opportunities to increase brand awareness and strengthen the brand's position within the South African market. Coordinate product knowledge and staff training initiatives with key retail partners. Sales Growth & Commercial Performance Take ownership of agreed sales and growth targets. Monitor wholesale performance, sell-through, margins and distribution. Identify opportunities to grow sales across existing and new accounts. Develop strategies to maximise in-season sales opportunities. Work with marketing and digital teams to support sales of current and previous-season products. Monitor competitor activity, market trends and consumer behaviour. Provide regular performance updates and recommendations to management. Administration & Reporting Maintain accurate buy plans, forecasts and order information. Reconcile supplier confirmations and invoices against approved buying plans. Maintain shipping and delivery reports. Prepare information for stock management systems. Provide regular sales, buying and performance reports to management. Ensure all brand-related administration is completed accurately and within deadlines. Requirements Degree or Diploma in Fashion, Marketing, Sales, Brand Management, Communications or a related field . 5-10 years' relevant experience in brand management, fashion buying, fashion sales or a related commercial role. Experience working within or alongside a sales and\/or marketing function. Fashion or footwear buying experience will be highly advantageous. Strong understanding of seasonal buying, product selection and the fashion\/retail environment. Experience dealing with suppliers and\/or international brands will be advantageous. Proven experience managing wholesale\/key retail accounts. Strong commercial and sales orientation with an understanding of sell-through and margin. Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously. Strong analytical and Excel skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. A genuine passion for fashion, footwear, brands and contemporary culture . A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to work independently and take ownership. Personal Attributes The ideal candidate will be: Commercially driven and results focused. Passionate about fashion and brands. Highly organised and detail orientated. Confident dealing with senior stakeholders and customers. Creative and solutions driven. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. A strong communicator and relationship builder. Someone who takes ownership and gets things done. Company Culture Our client is a small, ambitious and growth-oriented business where people are encouraged to challenge conventional thinking, solve problems creatively and take ownership. The culture is entrepreneurial, collaborative and energetic, with a strong focus on results, product and customer experience. If you are passionate about fashion and brands and are looking for an opportunity where you can make a genuine commercial impact, this could be the role for you.