Sr. Brand Manager (contract)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Brand Manager (Contract)

🔹 Company: Pernod Ricard

🔹 Location: Tokyo, Tōkyō, Japan

🔹 Job Type: Contract, On-site

🔹 Category: Brand Management, Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: May 27, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and implementing brand strategies to drive sales growth and equity building.
• Managing marketing activations across various touchpoints, including ATL, BTL, CRM, and consumer events.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, brand companies, and external partners to ensure brand strategy compliance and successful execution.
• Monitoring brand equity evolution and controlling operating costs to ensure alignment with agreed budgets.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of luxury or prestige brands, with a focus on brand building and media expertise. The ideal candidate will have experience in brand marketing and a passion for driving brand success.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop effective and creative annual brand plans in line with local and global brand strategies and objectives.

✅ Prepare key brand presentations, offering fresh strategic insights and creative thinking to meet objectives.

✅ Define the most efficient investment mix across touchpoints to return on sales growth and equity building.

✅ Develop and implement ATL, BTL, CRM, consumer events, visibility, and activation programs, ensuring strong buy-in from commercial and trade marketing teams.

✅ Monitor brand equity evolution and control operating costs to ensure alignment with agreed budgets.

✅ Build strong relationships with other teams at Pernod Ricard Japan, brand companies, and external partners.

✅ Manage suppliers/business partners to ensure all executions comply with brand strategy and guidelines.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders effectively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: 4-year university graduate or above

Experience: Minimum 6 years' experience in brand marketing with excellence in execution

Required Skills:

• Passionate for brands and brand building
• Strategic, business, and transversal mindset, logical/critical thinking
• Result-driven and consumer-focused
• Strong planning and organizing skills
• Creativity, entrepreneurship, pro-activity
• Relationship-building and coordination, team player
• Open-minded, outgoing personality, excellent networking skills
• Interest in luxury and attention to detail

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in luxury or prestige brand, premium FMCG (e.g., durable goods, perfumes, fashion, cosmetics)
• Interest/qualification in alcohol, especially wine

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in luxury or prestige brands and a proven track record in brand marketing. Fluency in Japanese and English is required, with French being a plus.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: ¥12,000,000 - ¥15,000,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a Senior Brand Manager role in Tokyo)

Benefits:

• Contract term: 1 year (renewable every 6 months)
• Target hire date: May 12, 2025
• Target end date: May 31, 2025

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project demands

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Senior Brand Manager role in Tokyo. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Beverage Manufacturing, specifically focusing on premium spirits and wine

Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Global), with a significant presence in Japan

Founded: Pernod Ricard was founded in 1975 through the merger of Pernod and Ricard. Pernod Ricard Japan K.K. was established in 1990.

Company Description:

• Pernod Ricard is a global leader in the premium spirits and wine industry, with a wide portfolio of premium brands.
• The company aims to be the fastest-growing international premium+ spirits and wine player in the Japanese market.
• Pernod Ricard Japan is engaged in implementing the Transform & Accelerate corporate ambition, with a focus on increasing the number of activated brands, scaling up investments, and improving marketing mix efficiency.

Company Specialties:

• Absolut
• Chivas
• Brancott Estate
• Campo Viejo
• Graffigna
• Jacob's Creek
• Martell
• Mumm
• Perrier-Jouët
• Royal Salute
• The Glenlivet
• Ballantine's
• Beefeater
• Havana Club
• Jameson
• Kahlúa
• Malibu
• and Ricard

Company Website: http://www.pernod-ricard.com

ASSUMPTION: Pernod Ricard is a well-established company with a strong global presence and a commitment to premium quality and innovation in the spirits and wine industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior-level role with significant responsibility for brand strategy and marketing activations

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Brand Director, Champagne, managing 1 direct report (Assistant Brand Manager), and working closely with Brand Ambassadors and Visual Merchandising managers

Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility for remote work as needed

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for contract renewal and long-term employment
• Opportunities to work on multiple brands and categories within the Pernod Ricard portfolio
• Possibility to gain international experience through collaboration with global brand companies

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to work on high-profile brands and gain experience in a global organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in Tokyo

Office Location(s): Tokyo, Japan

Geographic Context:

• Tokyo is a major global city with a vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse neighborhoods
• The office is located in the Koraku area, offering easy access to public transportation and amenities
• Tokyo is known for its high cost of living, with competitive salaries and benefits to match

Work Schedule: Standard office hours with flexibility for project demands

ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a focus on collaboration and innovation. The office is centrally located in Tokyo, offering easy access to public transportation and amenities.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• In-depth interview with the Brand Director and other relevant stakeholders
• Final interview with the Pernod Ricard Japan Managing Director

Key Assessment Areas:

• Brand strategy and planning
• Marketing activation and project management skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Pernod Ricard values
• Language proficiency in Japanese and English

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your brand management experience and achievements
• Research Pernod Ricard and the brand portfolio to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the company

ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Marketing Strategy, Brand Building, Luxury Brands, Media Expertise, Digital Acumen, Event Management, Project Management, Trade Marketing, Sales Growth, Consumer Insights

ASSUMPTION: The application process is competitive, with a focus on finding the best fit for the company culture and brand portfolio. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong brand management experience, strategic thinking, and a passion for luxury brands.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
• Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Marketing Cloud)
• Design and creative tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools, with experience in marketing automation and analytics tools being a plus.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Convivialité: Creating genuine, friendly, and responsible experiences of sharing
• Responsibility: Acting responsibly in all aspects of our business and beyond
• Entrepreneurship: Embracing an entrepreneurial spirit and challenging the status quo

Work Style:

• Collaborative and cross-functional teamwork
• Agile and adaptable to change
• Focus on results and continuous improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody the value of convivialité in your work and personal life?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you demonstrated responsibility in a challenging situation?
• How do you approach embracing an entrepreneurial spirit and challenging the status quo in your current role?

ASSUMPTION: Pernod Ricard values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a strong focus on collaboration, responsibility, and entrepreneurship. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong cultural fit with these values and be able to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously
• Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment with tight deadlines
• Navigating a large, global organization with a complex brand portfolio
• Adapting to cultural differences and working with international stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with strong project management skills and the ability to adapt to cultural differences.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other brand management positions in its focus on luxury and prestige brands, with a specific emphasis on the Champagne category
• Pernod Ricard's global presence and complex brand portfolio offer unique opportunities for growth and international experience
• Career paths within Pernod Ricard may include opportunities to work on multiple brands and categories, as well as potential international assignments

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for growth and international experience within the premium spirits and wine industry, with a focus on luxury and prestige brands.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive brand plan for Perrier-Jouët in the Japanese market, including ATL, BTL, CRM, and consumer event activations
• Managing a trade marketing campaign to drive sales and profitability for a portfolio of premium spirits brands in the Japanese market
• Collaborating with global brand companies to create localized assets and ensure brand strategy compliance for a portfolio of luxury wine brands

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities available in this role, with a focus on brand strategy, marketing activations, and cross-functional collaboration.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the brand portfolio and how this role fits into the overall marketing strategy for Pernod Ricard Japan?
• How does this role collaborate with other teams at Pernod Ricard Japan, such as Commercial, Trade Marketing, and Finance?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does Pernod Ricard support the growth and development of its employees?
• What are the key challenges facing the brand portfolio in the Japanese market, and how can this role help address them?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions will help you better understand the role, the company, and the brand portfolio, allowing you to make an informed decision about your application and potential fit for the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your brand management experience and achievements
• Research Pernod Ricard and the brand portfolio to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the company
• Follow up with the HR department one week after submission to confirm receipt of your application

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