Brand Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Brand Manager

🔹 Company: MSD

🔹 Location: Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Wellington (Upper Hutt), New Zealand

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-30

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing marketing plans for Animal Health Livestock Business
• Managing advertising and marketing budgets
• Overseeing product management and introducing new products
• Collaborating with internal teams to drive growth and profitability
• Strong digital marketing focus and hands-on experience in the dairy sector

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead key marketing initiatives with a strong emphasis on digital marketing campaigns and platforms

✅ Develop brand and marketing plans for key products and contribute to company strategy with the marketing team

✅ Implement marketing programmes to maximise sales and communicate strategic direction internally

✅ Conduct market research to inform brand strategies and measure campaign effectiveness, leveraging digital analytics where applicable

✅ Identify and develop opportunities across BioPharma, Identification, and Technology portfolios with internal stakeholders

✅ Manage product lifecycle, liaise with technical and R&D teams on pipeline and improvements, lead new product introductions, and identify portfolio gaps

✅ Lead pricing reviews with sales input

✅ Build budgets and inventory forecasts, forecast sales variances using industry, environmental, and customer insights, and coordinate with demand planning and procurement to ensure supply continuity and minimise stock obsolescence

✅ Collaborate with sales, marketing, and key account teams to plan and implement marketing activities

✅ Work with internal departments and agencies to develop advertising and point-of-sale materials

✅ Lead sales cycle planning and promote campaigns to the sales team

✅ Plan, coordinate, and participate in trade and consumer promotional events

✅ Stay current with marketing trends and innovations, particularly digital tools and technologies relevant to Animal Health and dairy farming

✅ Leverage digital platforms and maintain them with internal and agency partners

✅ Engage with farmers and industry groups to develop influencer campaigns and support sales activities at industry events

✅ Spend time with sales teams to gain customer insights and understand the dairy environment firsthand

✅ Review campaign effectiveness

✅ Manage advertising and promotional budgets, forecast spend, and demonstrate operational excellence

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive, execution-driven marketer who can implement strategies effectively and engage directly with farmers and industry stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Tertiary education in marketing, business, or equivalent

Experience: Solid marketing experience managing brands and executing brand plans with a strong digital marketing focus

Required Skills:

• Communication
• Creative Campaign Development
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Marketing Data Analysis
• Marketing Initiatives
• Marketing Planning
• Marketing Strategy Implementation
• Market Research
• Operational Excellence
• Strategic Planning

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in Animal Health, animal farming systems, or agricultural business (dairy industry, including familiarity with milking sensors, collars, dairy sheds, and farming environments)
• Proven success creating campaigns across TV, radio, print, direct, in-field, influencer, email, digital, and social channels
• Experience using market research and data to build insights, develop brand positioning, personas, strategies, and campaigns
• Experience engaging industry bodies, key opinion leaders, and influencers
• Demonstrated experience launching new products and market-leading brands
• Ability to evaluate and report key metrics and campaign performance
• Strong collaboration and leadership skills
• Self-starter with initiative, able to work independently and in teams
• Project management skills to manage multiple projects

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in marketing with a focus on digital campaigns and experience in the dairy sector.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this position is NZD 120,000 - 150,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. This estimate is based on industry standards for a Brand Manager role in New Zealand.

Benefits:

• Competitive remuneration
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Flexible work arrangements

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible work arrangements available

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: MSD operates in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing industry, focusing on animal health products and vaccines.

Company Size: MSD is a large company with over 10,000 employees globally, providing a well-established and collaborative work environment.

Founded: MSD was founded in 1891, with a rich history of innovation and growth in the pharmaceutical industry.

Company Description:

• MSD is a global leader in animal health, dedicated to improving the lives of animals and the people who care for them
• The company offers a wide range of products and services, including vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and animal health products
• MSD is committed to innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility

Company Specialties:

• Animal Health
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Veterinary Medicine
• Biotechnology

Company Website: www.msd.com

ASSUMPTION: MSD's extensive experience and resources provide a supportive environment for professional growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-level management career stage, offering opportunities for growth and advancement within the marketing function.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Manager reports directly to the Marketing Manager and works closely with cross-functional teams, including sales, technical/R&D, finance, procurement, and supply chain.

Work Arrangement: This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-site and remote work.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to senior marketing roles within the Animal Health or broader MSD business
• Expansion of responsibilities to include additional product streams or geographic regions
• Development of leadership and management skills through mentoring and coaching opportunities

ASSUMPTION: This role provides a strong foundation for career growth and development within the marketing function and the broader Animal Health industry.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: MSD's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces designed to facilitate team interaction and productivity.

Office Location(s): Palmerston North, Hamilton, or Wellington (Upper Hutt), New Zealand

Geographic Context:

• Palmerston North is a regional city in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island, known for its agricultural and horticultural industries
• Hamilton is the largest city in the Waikato region, with a diverse economy driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and services
• Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand, offering a vibrant urban environment with a strong focus on technology, government, and creative industries

Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is typically Monday to Friday, with flexible hours to accommodate remote work arrangements.

ASSUMPTION: The location and work environment for this role offer a balance between urban and rural settings, with access to modern facilities and a supportive work culture.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-depth interview with the marketing team and other stakeholders
• Final interview with the marketing director
• Background check and reference check

Key Assessment Areas:

• Marketing strategy and planning
• Campaign development and execution
• Budget management and forecasting
• Collaboration and stakeholder engagement
• Industry knowledge and customer insights

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience, digital marketing skills, and familiarity with the dairy industry
• Prepare examples of successful marketing campaigns you've led, focusing on digital channels and their impact on sales and customer engagement
• Research MSD's Animal Health business and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's strategic goals

ATS Keywords: Digital Marketing, Brand Management, Marketing Strategy, Campaign Development, Budget Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Animal Health, Dairy Industry, Marketing Data Analysis, Market Research

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic marketing skills, digital marketing expertise, and industry knowledge, particularly in the dairy sector.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Google Workspace
• Marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo)
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics)
• Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for marketing professionals and can be learned or improved upon with relevant training and experience.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation: MSD fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement
• Collaboration: MSD encourages teamwork and cross-functional collaboration to drive success
• Customer Focus: MSD prioritizes understanding and meeting the needs of its customers
• Integrity: MSD upholds the highest ethical standards in all aspects of its business

Work Style:

• MSD values a proactive, execution-driven approach to marketing
• The company encourages a strong digital focus and leverages data-driven insights to inform decision-making
• MSD fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and collaboration

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a proven track record of developing and executing successful digital marketing campaigns?
• Are you comfortable working in a dynamic and evolving industry, such as Animal Health?
• Can you effectively engage with farmers and industry stakeholders to drive sales and customer engagement?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with MSD's values and work style, particularly in terms of digital marketing expertise and industry knowledge, will be well-suited to this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple marketing campaigns and projects simultaneously
• Balancing the demands of internal stakeholders and external customers
• Keeping up with the latest digital marketing trends and technologies
• Adapting to changes in the Animal Health industry and regulatory environment

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be effectively managed through strong project management skills, effective communication, and a proactive approach to continuous learning and improvement.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other Brand Manager roles, this position offers a strong focus on digital marketing and hands-on experience in the dairy sector
• MSD's global presence provides opportunities for career growth and development within the Animal Health industry
• This role requires a higher level of industry-specific knowledge and customer engagement than similar roles in other industries

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their level of industry-specific knowledge and customer engagement when comparing this role to similar positions in other industries or companies.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a digital marketing campaign to promote a new milking sensor product, targeting dairy farmers and industry influencers
• Conducting market research to identify gaps in the current product portfolio and developing strategies to address them
• Collaborating with the sales team to create targeted marketing materials for key customer segments, such as large dairy farms and smallholder farmers

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the hands-on, customer-focused, and data-driven approach required for success in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy for the Animal Health business?
• What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
• How does MSD support the professional development of its marketing team members?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the Animal Health industry, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
• How does MSD foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within its marketing teams?

ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the role's strategic context, priorities, and opportunities for professional growth and development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience, digital marketing skills, and familiarity with the dairy industry
• Prepare examples of successful marketing campaigns you've led, focusing on digital channels and their impact on sales and customer engagement
• Research MSD's Animal Health business and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's strategic goals
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.