Country Managing Director

SUMMARY:
Purpose of the Role:
The Country Managing Director (MD) is the most senior representative of the Client in South Africa, holding full P&L accountability for the country's operations across all divisions and brands. The MD sets the strategic vision, leads the country leadership team, drives commercial and operational performance, and represents the Client externally with government, trade partners, media, and industry bodies. This role requires a blend of strategic leadership, commercial rigor, people leadership, and strong cultural and market intuition for the South African beauty landscape.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership Define and execute the country's overall business strategy, aligned with Zone and Group priorities. Identify growth opportunities across categories, channels (retail, e-commerce, professional, pharmacy), and consumer segments. Lead long-term portfolio and brand strategy decisions in partnership with divisional General Managers. P&L and Commercial Performance Own full country P&L, that is, sales, profitability, market share, and investment allocation Drive top-line growth and operational efficiency across all divisions. Oversee pricing strategy, trade terms, and commercial negotiations with key retail partners. People & Organisational Leadership Lead and develop the country Executive Committee and broader leadership team. Build a high-performing, diverse, and inclusive organisational culture. Drive talent development, succession planning, and capability building across functions. Operations & Governance Ensure robust governance, compliance, and risk management (regulatory, financial, ethical). Oversee supply chain, manufacturing (where applicable), and distribution excellence. Ensure alignment with the Client's sustainability commitments.. External Representation & Stakeholder Management Serve as the Client's primary spokesperson in South Africa with government, regulators, media, and industry associations Build and maintain strategic relationships with key retail, distribution, and community partners Represent the country's interests and market realities to Zone and Global leadership Cross-Functional & Regional Collaboration Partner closely with Zone leadership to ensure South Africa's strategy supports broader Sub-Saharan Africa objectives. Champion South Africa as a hub for regional innovation, talent, and market learnings. Candidate Profile: Experience 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in FMCG, beauty, or consumer goods, including senior P&L ownership. Prior experience as a Country\/General Manager, or senior divisional leader with demonstrated readiness for country leadership. Proven track record of driving commercial growth and leading transformation in complex, multi-channel markets. Experience navigating the South African and\/or broader African business environment strongly preferred. Leadership & Skills Strong strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to translate vision into execution. Exceptional people leadership - able to inspire, develop, and align diverse teams. Strong external stakeholder and government relations experience. Deep understanding of South African consumer, retail, and regulatory landscape. Financial acumen with strong P&L management experience. Excellent communication and executive presence. Education Bachelor's degree required (Business, Commerce, Marketing, or related field). MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification strongly preferred. Personal Attributes Entrepreneurial mindset with strong business consciousness. High cultural intelligence and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Resilient, decisive, and comfortable operating in ambiguity. Aligned with the values: Passion, Innovation, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Open-mindedness, Quest for Excellence. Leadership Competencies Innovator: Dares to challenge the status quo, brings creative solutions to quality processes, and embraces digital transformation and new tools within the distribution center. Strategist: Anticipates operational risks, sets clear quality objectives, and aligns continuous improvement initiatives with broader supply chain goals. Collaborator: Fosters strong teamwork across warehouse operations, supply chain, HR, and external partners, building shared accountability for product integrity. Integrator: Connects compliance, safety, and operational performance; efficiently coordinates resources to drive high standards without compromising speed. People Developer: Empowers and supports team members, promotes a culture of continuous learning, and encourages high engagement around quality and safety awareness. Please note: Should you not meet the minimum requirements or hear from us within 14 days from date of advertising, please accept your application as being unsuccessful.