Brand Manager - Mainstream Spirits

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Brand Manager - Mainstream Spirits

🔹 Company: Diageo

🔹 Location: Kampala, Uganda

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: July 18, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (2-5 years)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving business performance through strategic brand building and consumer understanding
• Managing brand P&L, budgeting, and forecasting
• Leading brand campaigns to achieve commercial and brand health KPIs
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively with various teams and partners.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the development and execution of brand strategy in line with overall business and marketing objectives

✅ Design and implement consumer data-driven marketing initiatives to support long-term brand growth

✅ Develop and lead coordinated 18-month activity plans that align with strategic priorities and channel objectives

✅ Ensure high standards of execution across all brand touchpoints, maintaining consistency and improving impact

✅ Support the creation and delivery of innovation and renovation plans in collaboration with cross-functional and external teams

✅ Supervise and analyze brand performance using commercial and consumer KPIs, and lead course-corrective actions where needed

✅ Lead external agency partners to ensure alignment with brand goals and delivery of high-quality work

✅ Build strong cross-functional relationships with internal stakeholders such as Commercial, Customer Marketing, Supply Chain, and Business Support

✅ Act as the internal brand ambassador, fostering passion and advocacy for the brand across the organization

✅ Provide support to the Marketing Manager and team on key strategic projects and business priorities

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively with various teams and partners.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Degree in a Marketing related field

Experience: Minimum of 3-4 years in Brand Management with previously demonstrated success within this environment

Required Skills:

• Leadership with strategic brand planning
• Campaign and project management with analytical decision-making
• Commercial and market understanding
• Skilled in motivating agencies, suppliers, and cross-functional teams
• Progressive thinker with a creative edge
• Sound creative judgment aligned with brand goals
• Deep consumer insight to drive brand relevance

Preferred Skills:

• Postgraduate degree / CIM Qualification
• High cognitive ability

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in brand management, with experience in strategic planning, campaign management, and working with agencies.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is not provided. However, based on industry standards for a Brand Manager role in Uganda, the estimated salary range is UGX 30,000,000 - 45,000,000 per annum. This estimate is inclusive of base salary and variable compensation.

Benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements
• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• Global career opportunities

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

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: Beverage Manufacturing

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: 1826 (as Guinness Brewery, later merged with other companies to form Diageo)

Company Description:

• Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, with a portfolio of over 200 brands sold in 180 countries
• The company's portfolio includes spirits and beer brands, with a focus on premium and luxury products
• Diageo is committed to responsible drinking and sustainability, with a goal to reduce the environmental impact of its operations by 50% by 2030

Company Specialties:

• Premium Drinks
• Marketing
• Innovation
• Supply Chain
• HR
• Sales
• Brand management
• Premium Wines and Spirits Supplier
• Luxury
• Super premium
• Beer
• Consumer goods
• E-commerce
• Beverages
• Spirits
• FMCG
• Brand owners

Company Website: diageo.com

ASSUMPTION: Diageo is a large, global company with a diverse portfolio of brands and a strong focus on marketing, innovation, and sustainability.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-Senior Level (2-5 years of experience)

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Marketing Manager, Mainstream Spirits

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential career progression to Senior Brand Manager or other senior marketing roles
• Opportunities to work on global brands and gain international experience
• possibility to rotate within different brand portfolios or categories

ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to work on global brands and gain international experience.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with flexible working arrangements

Office Location(s): Kampala, Uganda

Geographic Context:

• Kampala is the capital and largest city of Uganda, with a population of over 1.5 million people
• The city is known for its vibrant nightlife, cultural attractions, and historical sites
• Kampala has a tropical savanna climate, with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 32°C throughout the year

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements

ASSUMPTION: Kampala offers a dynamic and multicultural work environment, with a wide range of cultural attractions and recreational activities.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final round interview with senior leadership
• Background check and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and brand management skills
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Diageo's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the brand management process and Diageo's brand portfolio
• Showcase your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking

ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Strategic Planning, Campaign Management, Agency Relationships, Consumer Understanding, Commercial KPIs, Brand Equity, Marketing Initiatives, Cross-Functional Teams, Stakeholder Management, Global Brands

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on strategic thinking, analytical skills, and cultural fit.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Marketing automation and CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Marketo)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Design and creative tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, data analysis tools, and marketing automation platforms. Familiarity with project management and design tools is also beneficial.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Our success is driven by our people and their commitment to our values:
• Be brave - Challenge the status quo and dare to try new things
• Be collaborative - Work together to achieve common goals
• Be inclusive - Embrace diversity and create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected
• Be accountable - Take responsibility for your actions and deliver on your commitments
• Be entrepreneurial - Think and act like an owner, with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic work environment
• Collaborative and cross-functional teams
• Focus on strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• Global career opportunities

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach challenging the status quo and driving innovation in your current role?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve a common goal?
• How do you ensure that your work environment is inclusive and respectful of diversity?
• Can you describe a situation where you took responsibility for a mistake or setback and how you addressed it?
• How do you balance strategic thinking with a focus on execution and delivery?

ASSUMPTION: Diageo values candidates who are brave, collaborative, inclusive, accountable, and entrepreneurial, with a strong focus on strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment may require adaptability and resilience
• Managing external agency partners may present challenges in ensuring alignment with brand goals and delivery of high-quality work
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders may require strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Working with a large and global organization may present opportunities for career growth, but also competition for advancement
• The role may require travel, which could present challenges for those with family or personal commitments

ASSUMPTION: These potential challenges are common to roles in large, global organizations, and can be mitigated with strong communication, adaptability, and a focus on building strong relationships.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other Brand Manager roles, but with a focus on mainstream spirits brands and a global portfolio
• Compared to other Brand Manager roles, this position may offer more opportunities for international experience and global brand exposure
• Career progression in this role may lead to senior marketing roles or other leadership positions within Diageo

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for international experience and global brand exposure, with potential for career progression within Diageo.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic brand plan for a mainstream spirits brand, including positioning, pricing, and marketing initiatives
• Managing a global brand campaign, including coordination with regional teams and external agencies
• Conducting consumer research and analysis to inform brand strategy and marketing initiatives
• Leading a cross-functional team to launch a new product or renovation, including product development, packaging, and go-to-market strategy

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are illustrative of the types of initiatives a Brand Manager in this role might lead, with a focus on strategic thinking, consumer understanding, and cross-functional collaboration.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the brand portfolio for this role and how they fit into Diageo's global strategy?
• How does this role collaborate with regional teams and external agencies to execute global brand campaigns?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and within Diageo more broadly?
• How does Diageo support work-life balance for employees, particularly in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment?
• Can you provide an example of a time when Diageo successfully challenged the status quo and drove innovation in the beverage industry?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help you understand the brand portfolio, global strategy, professional development opportunities, work-life balance, and Diageo's approach to innovation and challenging the status quo.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Diageo Careers portal
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
• Research Diageo's brand portfolio and global strategy to demonstrate your understanding of the business
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role

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