📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Marketing Specialist - Knorr Soup
🔹 Company: Unilever
🔹 Location: La Lucia, Durban, South Africa
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-14
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving value and volume-led growth for the Knorr brand
- Leading innovation projects and managing brand campaigns
- End-to-end brand management and P&L responsibility
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong project leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the marketing landscape.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Drive the value and volume-led growth agenda on the respective brand by leading Innovations, managing BLG campaigns based on category growth principles
✅ End to End brand management role for South Africa
✅ Focus on incremental future growth opportunities, as well as management of existing core business
✅ End to end P&L responsibility, including S&OP management
✅ Budget (BMI) management to be vigorously controlled to ensure full delivery of projects
✅ Leadership of several Innovation Projects – e.g. development of new mixes / launch into new categories etc.
✅ Leadership / support of NRM or SC Activity Requests: e.g. introduction of new pack sizes / formats for existing mixes
✅ Developing & executing Inspiring brand communications in partnership with creative agencies
✅ Leading Integrated Brand Planning Process (annual IBP)
✅ Management of Brand’s digital strategy and ecomm
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, tactical execution, and cross-functional collaboration to drive brand growth and success.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Degree in Marketing, Business, or Commerce
Experience: A minimum of 5 years in Marketing, Branding, and Digital Marketing experience
Required Skills:
- Project leadership and business acumen
- Strong numeracy skills
- Ability to deliver operationally while thinking ahead of the long-term growth strategy
- Cross-functional relationship management
- Strong levels of growth and ownership mindset
- Bias for action and drive
- Consumer and customer focus
- Rigour and order
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the food or consumer goods industry
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in marketing, branding, and digital marketing, with a proven track record of driving brand growth and success.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The salary range for this role is typically R500,000 - R700,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. This estimate is based on industry standards for marketing roles in South Africa.
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Opportunities for career growth and development
- Dynamic and inclusive work environment
Working Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work as required
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on individual qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Unilever operates in the consumer goods industry, with a focus on food, home care, and personal care products. The company has a strong presence in South Africa and globally.
Company Size: Unilever is a large, multinational corporation with over 10,000 employees in South Africa alone.
Founded: Unilever was founded in 1872 and has a rich history of innovation and growth.
Company Description:
- Unilever is a global leader in the consumer goods industry, with a portfolio of well-known brands that improve the lives of consumers and communities around the world.
- The company is committed to sustainable living and has set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental impact and contribute positively to society.
- Unilever offers a dynamic and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for career growth and development.
Company Specialties:
- Consumer Goods
- Food
- Home Care
- Personal Care
- Refreshments
- Marketing & Advertising
- Retail
- Purpose
- FMCG
- Digital
- Ice Cream
- Nutrition
- Sustainability
- Beauty & Wellbeing
- Innovation
- Careers
Company Website: http://www.unilever.com
ASSUMPTION: Unilever is a well-established and respected company in the consumer goods industry, with a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level management or senior individual contributor level, with significant responsibility for driving brand growth and success.
Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Knorr Power Brand Deploy Lead.
Work Arrangement: The role is based on-site, with occasional remote work as required.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior brand management role or leadership position within the marketing function
- Expansion of responsibilities to include additional brands or categories
- Opportunities to work on global or regional projects and gain international experience
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Unilever's La Lucia Ridge office is a modern, professional environment with on-site amenities and a collaborative work culture.
Office Location(s): 61 Katherine Street, La Lucia Ridge, Durban, South Africa
Geographic Context:
- Durban is the largest city in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, with a diverse population and a vibrant cultural scene.
- The city is known for its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and rich history.
- Durban is a major economic hub in South Africa, with a strong focus on the tourism, logistics, and manufacturing sectors.
Work Schedule: The role follows a standard Monday to Friday workweek, with occasional weekend work as required.
ASSUMPTION: The La Lucia Ridge office offers a professional and collaborative work environment, with easy access to amenities and public transportation.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening
- In-depth behavioral and technical interviews
- Final round interviews with key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Brand management and marketing strategy skills
- Project leadership and stakeholder management abilities
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Consumer and customer focus
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your brand management and marketing strategy work to discuss during the interview
- Research Unilever and the Knorr brand to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its products
ATS Keywords: Marketing, Brand Management, Digital Marketing, Innovation, Campaign Management, P&L, Stakeholder Management, Consumer Goods, FMCG, Unilever, Knorr
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and experiences throughout the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
- Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Marketo)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Brand management software (e.g., Brandfolder, Bynder, Canto DAM)
ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in marketing and project management tools, as well as a working knowledge of brand management software.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace
- We believe in business as a force for good
- We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow
- We believe in business as a force for good
Work Style:
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment
- Dynamic and fast-paced, with a focus on results and growth
- Empowered and accountable, with a strong sense of ownership
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Unilever's purpose and values?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment?
- Do you have a strong sense of ownership and accountability?
ASSUMPTION: Unilever values diversity and inclusion, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their fit with the company's culture and values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires a strong understanding of the South African consumer goods market and competitive landscape
- Candidates may face competition from internal candidates and other external applicants
- The role may require occasional travel and weekend work
- The company's large size and complex structure may present challenges in navigating internal processes and politics
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to address these potential challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a competitive and dynamic environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other brand management or marketing specialist roles in the consumer goods industry, but with a focus on the Knorr brand and the South African market
- The role requires a deeper understanding of the local market and consumer behavior, as well as a strong grasp of the competitive landscape
- The role offers significant growth potential, with opportunities to expand responsibilities and take on additional brands or categories
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and how it translates to this specific role and industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Development and launch of a new Knorr soup mix flavor, targeting a specific consumer segment
- Management of a brand campaign, including creative development, media planning, and execution
- Conducting a brand audit and developing a brand strategy to drive growth and market share
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their relevant project experience and how it has equipped them for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy for the Knorr brand in South Africa?
- What opportunities are there for growth and development within the marketing function at Unilever?
- How does Unilever support work-life balance for its employees?
- What are the key challenges facing the Knorr brand in the South African market, and how can this role address them?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to ask insightful and thoughtful questions that demonstrate their understanding of the role and the company.
📌 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 skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your brand management and marketing strategy work to discuss during the interview
- Research Unilever and the Knorr brand to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its products
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after 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.
