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Category & Brand Manager - Beauty (Skin & Hair Care

PZ Cussons
Full-time
On-site
Nairobi, Kenya
🎨 Brand & Creative Marketing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Category & Brand Manager - Beauty (Skin & Hair Care)

πŸ”Ή Company: PZ Cussons

πŸ”Ή Location: Nairobi, Kenya

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-Time

πŸ”Ή Category: Beauty & Personal Care

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: 2025-07-28

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 5-10 years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Developing and driving overall brand and category strategies
  • Ensuring brand targets and profitability are met
  • Leading the New Product Development (NPD) process
  • Exploring new opportunities for the brand portfolio
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver agreed marketing research plans

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

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Develop and oversee the implementation of brand strategy to support the overall marketing strategy

βœ… Deliver brand targets for NNS & GM%, M&C plans, NPD programs, and brand equity/brand health measures

βœ… Drive overall budgeted profitability by growing and sustaining brand performance

βœ… Lead the NPD process for Kenya, ensuring requirements are managed by various functions and delivered according to targets

βœ… Ensure category pricing supports brand positioning and is relevant to the competitive arena

βœ… Lead the selection of appropriate trade channels and ensure development and execution of trade standards

βœ… Monitor, control, and report brand performance through internal & external brand health indicators

βœ… Execute brand M&C plan within guidelines and budget, creating and modifying as necessary to meet objectives

βœ… Proactively lead the Business Planning process

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, tactical execution, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve brand and category growth objectives.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree

Experience: Over 7 years of demonstrated experience in Brand Management

Required Skills:

  • Proven strength in insight generation
  • Mastery in communication
  • IT proficiency, including the use of MS Office Suite of Applications
  • Professional qualification in Marketing

Preferred Skills:

  • Postgraduate degree

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in brand management, consumer insights, and marketing strategy are most likely to succeed in this role.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: KES 2,500,000 - 3,500,000 per annum (Estimated, based on market research and experience level)

Benefits:

  • Health insurance
  • Retirement benefits
  • Employee discounts on PZ Cussons products

Working Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work as needed

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on market research and the experience level required for this role. Benefits may vary and are subject to the company's policies.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: PZ Cussons operates in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, focusing on personal care, homecare, and beauty products

Company Size: PZ Cussons is a mid-sized company with approximately 5,000 employees globally

Founded: 1884, in the United Kingdom

Company Description:

  • PZ Cussons is a global leader in the FMCG industry, with a presence in over 40 countries
  • The company is committed to sustainability and the wellbeing of people, families, and communities worldwide
  • PZ Cussons offers a diverse range of brands, including Carex, Cussons Baby, Sanctuary Spa, and St. Tropez

Company Specialties:

  • Personal Care
  • Homecare
  • Beauty
  • Electricals
  • Consumer Goods
  • FMCG

Company Website: https://www.pzcussons.com/

ASSUMPTION: PZ Cussons' diverse portfolio and global presence offer unique opportunities for career growth and development.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level management, with potential for growth into senior roles

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing Director and oversees a team of brand managers and assistants

Work Arrangement: On-site, with occasional remote work possible for specific tasks

Growth Opportunities:

  • Progression to senior brand management or marketing roles
  • Expansion into new markets or product categories
  • Cross-functional moves into other areas of the business, such as sales or supply chain

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a clear path for career progression within PZ Cussons, with opportunities to gain experience in various aspects of brand management and marketing.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, multi-story office building with dedicated workspace for each employee

Office Location(s): Nairobi, Kenya

Geographic Context:

  • Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, with a population of over 4 million people
  • The city offers a mix of urban and natural environments, with numerous parks, restaurants, and cultural attractions
  • Nairobi has a tropical savanna climate, with temperatures ranging from 18Β°C to 30Β°C throughout the year

Work Schedule: Standard office hours, with flexibility for remote work as needed

ASSUMPTION: The Nairobi office provides a dynamic and collaborative work environment, with opportunities for professional growth and development.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application submission
  • Phone or video screening
  • In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
  • Final interview with the Marketing Director

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Brand strategy development and execution
  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
  • Communication and presentation skills

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand management experience and relevant skills
  • Prepare examples of successful brand campaigns or projects you've led in the past
  • Research PZ Cussons' brand portfolio and be prepared to discuss how you would approach each brand's strategy

ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Marketing Strategy, Consumer Insights, Communication, Innovation, NPD Process, Category Management, Trade Channel Development, Performance Monitoring, Activation Planning, Collaboration

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, analytical skills, and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
  • Marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo)
  • Data analysis tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace is essential for this role, while experience with marketing automation and data analysis tools is desirable.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • For everyone, for life, for good
  • Sustainability and wellbeing
  • Innovation and continuous improvement

Work Style:

  • Collaborative and team-oriented
  • Data-driven and analytical
  • Adaptable and responsive to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • Do you align with PZ Cussons' commitment to sustainability and the wellbeing of people, families, and communities?
  • Are you comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with tight deadlines?
  • Do you thrive in a collaborative work environment, and are you able to build and maintain effective relationships with cross-functional teams?

ASSUMPTION: PZ Cussons values candidates who are passionate about their brands, committed to sustainability, and able to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Managing multiple brands and sub-brands within the beauty category
  • Balancing short-term performance targets with long-term brand growth strategies
  • Navigating a complex, matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders
  • Adapting to changes in consumer behavior and market trends

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth, requiring a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • Unlike other brand management roles, this position focuses specifically on the beauty category, with a particular emphasis on skin and hair care products
  • PZ Cussons' global presence and diverse brand portfolio offer unique opportunities for career growth and development
  • This role requires a strong understanding of the Kenyan market and consumer behavior, as well as the ability to adapt to local market conditions

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in brand management within the beauty category, with the potential for growth and development within PZ Cussons' global organization.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing and executing a successful brand activation campaign for a new product launch
  • Conducting market research to identify consumer insights and trends within the beauty category
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize category pricing and trade channel development

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, tactical, and collaborative aspects of this role, highlighting the importance of strong analytical skills, effective communication, and cross-functional collaboration.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the marketing department?
  • How does PZ Cussons support the professional development and growth of its employees?
  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
  • How does PZ Cussons approach sustainability and corporate social responsibility within its operations and supply chain?
  • What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of working in brand management at PZ Cussons?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the company culture, team dynamics, and expectations for this role, allowing candidates to assess their fit and potential for success within the organization.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand management experience and relevant skills
  • Prepare examples of successful brand campaigns or projects you've led in the past
  • Research PZ Cussons' brand portfolio and be prepared to discuss how you would approach each brand's strategy
  • Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

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