Brand General Manager

Introduction

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.

Company Background

The employer is present in 150 markets on five continents. For more than a century, the company has devoted itself solely to ‘Create beauty that moves the world’; it is now the industry world leader with €42 billion consolidated sales. They solve complex challenges at scale, while making sure we stay committed to making the world a more inclusive and a better place for everyone & our planet.

The company is committed to guaranteeing inclusive recruitment processes and to advocating for hiring and promoting each candidate in an ethical and equitable way. The Group strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant for employment because of the individual’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, visible and/or invisible disabilities, socio-economic and/or multicultural origins, health conditions, age, religion, or any other characteristics protected by law.

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 (DMI) 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.

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 & 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, incl. 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