Brand Manager - Health & Beauty

Our client is a prominent Dubai-based retail distributor specializing in the well-being sector. Renowned for its commitment to excellence, the company has established itself as a key player by partnering with leading brands to provide a diverse range of health and beauty products.

The company distinguishes itself by offering a 360-degree, holistic approach to health and beauty. This involves comprehensive support for overall well-being through a range of products, including nutrition, skin and body care, vitamins & supplements, and more.

With 600 dedicated employees, our client manages a diverse portfolio that includes four concept brands. Each brand is carefully curated to address specific aspects of well-being, providing customers with a varied and comprehensive selection of products. This company boasts an extensive retail network with 98 stores strategically located across the region. This widespread presence ensures accessibility for customers, allowing them to experience and purchase the latest and finest products in the health and beauty industry.

As the Brand Manager, the role holder will be responsible for managing existing business partners and vendors, focusing on growing brand market share to drive sales, grow existing brands and source new brands.

Responsibilities:

• Manage existing vendors, aligning on business requirements, OTBs, forecasts, commercials, operations
• Source new brands in the respective categories on the basis of business requirements
• Align business plans and investments with the brands on the basis of the business plans and forecasts
• Handle commercial negotiations with brands with regards to margins, additional support, discounting, marketing, etc.
• Align with the category managers of each respective brand category on growing the brand and share contribution
• Study trends from historical data around brand/category sales and market research to assist in the overall planning process
• Ensure category profitability KPIs are clearly set and achieved.
• Execute defined price strategy for Own Brands.
• Manage consumer mapping, brand/category consumer segmentation and differentiation.
• Utilise customer research information to guide brand/category management decisions, including decisions on the introduction of new products, product assortment, promotion and pricing of products in the store
• Collaborate with Retail operations to understand consumer trends, sales figures, etc. to further formulate the business plan for the brand/category
• Ensure access to market intelligence through various sources on competition pricing and business and analysis of trends which may impact the Business Unit
• Align with category managers for proper assortment mix and share of Own Brands within category
• Monitor and analyse business performance by brand sales, sell-out, gross margin and turnover and translates insights into key selling points, or category opportunities
• Manage and track brand sales planning and forecasting processes
• Ensure effective \'in season\' management for the given brand/category of products (stock balancing, markdown management, stock analysis, stock vs sales performance).
• Lead and oversee the buying requirements and formulate buying plan and budget for the brand/category and ensure proper monitoring of orders based on the buying plan and follow-ups on merchandise delivery as per the plan
• Manage the relationship and liaise with principals/supplies on matters relating to strategy and operations such as: price negotiations, product launches, marketing campaigns, forthcoming offerings and events
• Collaborate with the brand marketing function to provide brand/category guidelines and implementations of the same in all retail outlets
• Collaborate with the retail marketing function, to ensure maximum visibility of their category through retail marketing
• Analyse sales related data for products within the brand portfolio and provides insights into enhancing potential sales opportunities
• Ensure development and reporting of the category review reports on quarterly basis
• Work with the Human Resource department to coordinate training related to products and customer service, to ensure personnel knowledge of key product features and benefits across the stores
• Define goals and key performance indicators for each member of the team and ensures effective implementation of performance management process.
• Develop talent within the team by providing guidance, mentoring and coaching to achieve the defined goals.
• Drive a culture of feedback and coaching in the Business Unit by providing feedback on an ongoing basis, identifying development needs and coaching the employees on the areas of improvement.
• Manage internal teams for allignment with regards to brand requirements, like planning, marketing, operations, category, etc.

Requirements:

• Bachelor\'s degree in Business Management/ Marketing or equivalent
• Master\'s degree in Buying and Merchandising
• A minimum of 3 - 5 years (CM) and 5 - 7 years (SCM) of relevant experience with Retail commercial roles , FMCG or Category Management
• Excellent written and spoken English is essential, Arabic is preferred
• Familiarity with supply chain & inventory management principles.
• Strong understanding of financial principles and ability to analyze profitability and sales data.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and influence others.
• Excellent organisational and multitasking skills.
• Ability to travel as required for supplier meetings or industry events.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and make strategic decisions.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills to effectively collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Proven experience in category management or related roles, with a track record of driving sales growth and profitability.
• Knowledge of market research techniques and familiarity with market research tools.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively communicate category strategies and plans to stakeholders.
• Proficiency in using data analysis tools and software, such as Microsoft Excel, to analyse and interpret sales data.
• Knowledge of retail and consumer behaviour trends, including e-commerce and digital marketing.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing market conditions.
• Strong leadership and team management skills to effectively lead cross-functional teams.

Thank you for your interest. We aim to contact shortlisted candidates within 2 weeks. Due to a high volume of applications, we regret that we may not be able to respond to all applicants. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.

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