Position: Marketing Assistant
Reporting to: Marketing Manager
Division: Luxury Cosmetics Brands
Employee Type: Permanent PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The core purpose of the role is to work together with the Marketing Manager and Brand Team to develop the brand in South Africa through optimum use of the A&P investment tools, adaptation of international strategy and ensuring a 360̊ approach to all local marketing strategies, ultimately growing market share and brand image in South Africa.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Provide Support to Brand Strategy and Development Be a custodian of the brand image in South Africa, maintaining brand equity and integrity at all times
Assist the Marketing Manager to adapt global strategies to suit the local market and to meet the retailer’s expectations while fully adhering to all international brand rules and guidelines
Assist the Marketing Manager to develop and present brand strategy to retailers at seasonal strategy sessions
Liaise with senior marketing and other managers to understand marketing goals
Present marketing and branding ideas to senior managers
Ensure compliance with relevant legal requirements Sales Performance Regularly review business performance to ascertain challenges and opportunities
Assist in the management of inventory to ensure brand stock levels in house meet both the brand and organisational requirements
Report on brand performance monthly as required (including but not limited to sales, retailers performance, SKU performance, PR, new launches)
Assist in the management of new launches including stock tracking with demand planning, receipt of retailer orders vs plan, stock distribution (together with POSM) from the warehouse, communication with the sales team, proactive adaptations to plans to maximise launch potential and follow up and reporting following launch period
Engage in research to gain relevant information including but not limited to competitors, pricing and target markets Stakeholder engagement and management Build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders to ensure full support of the brand in the market
Work with stakeholders to gain maximum exposure for the brand
Co-ordinate and implement PR activity including distribution of new launches and tracking and reporting on local media and digital coverage Budget and financial responsibilities Allocate resources and work with others to ensure specified budgets and ROI requirements are observed Marketing/Brand Support Functions Systematically develop processes that provide relevant information and support to the Marketing Manager, including but not limited to: Inventory review and reporting
Monthly brand reporting
Retailer sales performance and stock reporting
Administrate the process flow of all new products both internally and externally to ensure products are loaded correct and timeous
Timeous accurate completion and submission of all retailer buy plans/master files and seasonal marketing/online booking calendars and forms
Timeous and accurate management of price increases as required
Ensure all documents are accessible at all times
Deliver within set deadlines
Provide optimum service levels to all stakeholders internally and externally
Manage customer and consumer queries professionally to achieve a positive outcome
Assist with project-based assignments set out by the Marketing Manager to gain knowledge and practical experience in development-focused tasks
Track competitor activity monthly and gain learnings from analysis
Spend time in-store to obtain trade experience/knowledge and gain customer insights COMPETENCIES Taking decisions and initiating action, taking responsibility for these
Working with people
Writing, reporting and communication
Persuading and influencing
Planning and organising
Delivering results & meeting customer expectations
Adapting and responding to change
Coping with pressures and setbacks
Analysing
Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking SKILLS Understanding of brand management and marketing concepts
High attention to detail
Proactive, adaptable and flexible
Organised with ability to multi-task, ensuring deadlines are prioritised and met
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with internal/external partners
Strong communication and reporting skills
Business acumen
Results driven MINDSET Energetic team player with the ability to positively impact the internal Shiseido team
Proactive self-motivated attitude that delivers results and works towards excellence
Compliant with all policies, procedures, ethics & values in the business MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS Business/Marketing degree
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (including word processors, spreadsheets, design applications and presentation programmes)
2 - 3 years brand/marketing experience
