Brand Manager - OTC (Cough & Cold, Infield & On-site)

About the role

Aspen Holdings is looking for a Brand Manager for its OTC Cough & Cold portfolio, covering infield and on-site channels, based in Johannesburg. The objective is to drive sustainable, profitable growth of the portfolio through strategic direction, brand stewardship, tactical implementation and commercial acumen. The position is permanent.

Key responsibilities

• Develop the Cough & Cold portfolio brand strategy and anticipate trends in usage and the market environment
• Build promotional and advertising strategies that grow market share against competitors across all channels
• Analyse market, shopper and consumer behaviour to build brand plans, and give creative direction while managing agency outcomes
• Implement, monitor and measure strategies, adapting them to a dynamic environment
• Drive the budgeting process, control A&P expenditure and achieve financial targets
• Develop pricing strategies that protect healthy profit margins and competitive advantage
• Support sales teams to achieve sales targets and manage cross-functional networks and channel resources
• Apply regulatory requirements to brand strategies and forecast demand and stock, minimising write-offs and returns
• Manage wholesalers' stock holding and backorders, and use insights to assess market potential for new product introductions
• Lead the New Product Launch process with stakeholders such as NPL, Demand Planning, Regulatory Affairs and Medical
• Use internal and external conferences and congresses to position the brand strongly in the target audience's mind

Required profile

• Matric and a post-matric Commercial or Health Science qualification
• At least 2 years of brand management experience in the pharmaceutical or health segment
• Applicable industry knowledge and sound financial acumen
• Enthusiasm, passion and high energy are key; ability to work under pressure and with a sense of urgency
• Valid Covid-19 vaccination is mandatory for this role, with an electronic certificate required if an offer is made

Required skills

• Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Word
• QlikView modelling is advantageous
• Digital marketing, analytical and project management skills, networking and verbal/written communication