Job responsibilities

Marketing and Brand Strategy

• Set up the yearly strategic plan and budgets for the brand in coordination with Business Unit leaders and brand owners, specifically tailored for the distributor markets.
• Develop, implement, and pilot 360° launch and marketing plans in collaboration with the distribution partner’s team (Media, PR, influencers, Merchandising, in-store animation, CRM, training, sampling …) and in accordance with defined budgets and the brand strategy.
• Build the assortment by offering recommendations based on market knowledge and analysis specific to African markets and new distributor markets.
• Analyze performance and adapt actions as necessary, providing feedback and guidance to distributors to optimize results.
• Use marketing KPIs to set realistic but ambitious targets for the brand and activities, and suggest optimizations on actions and levers within the distributor framework.
• Lead innovative social campaigns/activations that drive brand loyalty and advocacy in the designated markets, working closely with distributors for execution.
• Advocate for share of voice for the brand on retailer platforms and provide relevant and compelling content, ensuring alignment with the global brand message.
• Fuel brand strategy by conducting market, trend, and competition analyses specific to the African and new distributor markets.
• Communicate and deploy identified business opportunities to distributors, providing the necessary support and resources for execution.
• Maintain a healthy assortment and work closely with distributors and internal planning teams.
• Monitor and follow up on expenses, ensuring budgets are respected across all distributor-led initiatives.
• Contract Negotiation: Lead contract negotiations with distributors, ensuring favorable terms and alignment with Kendo’s strategic objectives.

Account Management, Operations, and Activation

• Drive short and long-term strategies across the African and new markets to meet brand objectives, partnering with cross-functional partners with the respective distributor to successfully execute.
• Build best-in-class partnerships with distributors to effectively maximize and deliver on sales goals.
• Build strong and effective relationships with internal teams to bring to life 360 activations (Inventory Planning, Marketing, Education, Creative, & Operations), ensuring seamless execution within the distributor’s network.
• Monitor and direct daily operations to ensure that goals and objectives are met : sales targets, margin, and profit, and take corrective action when necessary, working closely with the distributors.
• Be a brand advocate: effectively story tell and sell the product pipeline to distributors and their teams.

Financial and P&L Management

• Own the Brand P&L in Africa and new markets, ensuring profitable growth and financial efficiency.
• Drive sell-out and revenue targets, ensuring alignment with brand objectives and maximizing return on investment.
• Develop and manage the annual budget, optimizing marketing spend, retail investments, and operational costs to achieve profitability.
• Monitor and analyze financial performance, including sales forecasts, margins, and cost structures, identifying opportunities for growth and efficiency.
• Ensure budget discipline, tracking expenses and ensuring all initiatives deliver measurable business impact.
• Partner with Finance and senior leadership to build accurate financial reports and strategic forecasts that support decision-making.

Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field.
• 6-8 years of brand marketing experience with a strong focus on the distributor model.
• Previous experience working with distributors in Africa and opening new markets in North Africa, Indian Ocean.
• Proven success in managing and growing brands in diverse markets.
• Solid understanding of brand building, marketing strategies, and retail operations within a distributor framework.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, and presentation skills are essential.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.