Job Description

Closing Date 2024/10/29
Reference Number SAA241020-1
Job Title Air Chefs Commercial Manager
Division Airchefs
Business Unit N/A
Job Type Permanent
Location - Country South Africa
Location - Province Gauteng
Location - Town / City Kempton Park
Job PurposeThe role is responsible for the development of the overarching company sales and marketing strategy, and the delivery of marketing support services, innovation and NPD process. The incumbent will ensure that the product and channel portfolio architecture is aligned with changing consumer trends, and positions Air Chefs to achieve sustainable profitable growth. The role will deliver best-in class expertise and services in consumer insights, consumer experience, pricing, and media management.Furthermore, the role will spearhead the growth of the company product portfolio in In-flight, Lounges, Canteens, Events, New Channels, etc, to grow profitably with customers and increase distribution coverage. The incumbent will manage key accounts, sales and customer marketing teams, defining the customer strategy for the company portfolio and partnering with customers to execute on it, profitably beating sales and satisfaction targets while developing talent and a high-performance culture.
Principal AccountabilitiesStrategy Formulation and Implementation

• Set the consumer and customer marketing vision for Air Chefs, putting in place insights driven marketing principles
• Ensure alignment between corporate strategy, commercial strategy and marketing strategy
• Develop a product innovation strategy that delivers consumer-centric innovation, renovation and continuous improvement
• Oversee the development and implementation of the sales strategy across current and new channels
• Continuously review brand identity

Marketing

• Develop Air Chefs brand strategy within the framework of the category strategy with a focus on brand building and new product development activities
• Develop a deep understanding of consumer preferences within the category and markets, ensuring all brand and marketing activities are rooted in category and consumer insight and complemented by a solid understanding of market and competitor dynamics
• Manage the pipeline of NPD initiatives (innovation, renovation, value engineering), pricing (working with the strategic pricing CoE), campaign planning, and RTM strategy development
• Evolve the category by driving innovation, identifying NPD opportunities (renovation, innovation and value engineering) and working with R and D to drive these through to launch
• Outline objectives in key target areas such as sales volume, market share, distribution channels and profit margins to guide execution

Customer Management

• Ensure that customer marketing is aligned with broader marketing plans for the category
• Contribute to the development of route to market priorities (incl. customer segmentation and contact strategy) and lead the. Ensure delivery against coverage, reach and distribution targets
• Execute against the trade spend and pricing strategy
• Lead the customer joint business planning process, and oversee engagement with major distributors and key accounts
• Collaborate closely with key customers to strengthen our relationships, check route coverage, competitor activity, and identify opportunities to increase sales and enhance service
• Work with Supply Chain to ensure that adequate inventory is maintained to meet required demand and provide input into the Profit, Sales and Operations Planning process
• Closely monitor and manage customer KPIs, striving to protect customer profit pools and driving corrective actions as required

Financial

• Own the customer and channel P and L - shrewdly managing the portfolio of customers and channels under control to deliver against targets for the company
• Report on category marketing performance, identifying corrective actions, and directly manage marketing budget - to ensure excellence
• Closely monitor and manage customer KPIs, striving to protect customer profit pools and driving corrective actions as required

People

• Build top talent for the business by coaching others and providing skills development opportunities
• Influence senior stakeholders within customers' organisations and premier buyers in the industry
• Conclude bi-annual performance management reviews in accordance with company talent management program

Risk, Governance and Shareholder

• Participate in forums to keep abreast of new changes in the industry and practices
• Provide advice when preparing bid documents and integrated proposals for key accounts
• Ensure that Air Chefs does not engage on collusive tendering and price fixing
• Quarterly progress reporting on the mitigation/management of approved divisional risks
• Ensure complete implementation of internal audit risk findings and recommendations
• Compliance with all regulations relating to marketing and sales

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management/ Sales / Marketing / Finance or related field at NQF level 7
• International Marketing Management Diploma / MBL or MBA will be an advantage
• At least 10 years experience in a Sales and Marketing environment of which at least 5 years' at a senior management level
• Prior experience in innovation / R and D

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of Marketing ROI
• Knowledge of brand health and brand awareness
• Market share (%)
• Net Sales volume and value growth
• Curious
• Analytical Thinking
• Conceptual Thinking
• Achievement Orientation
• Initiative
• Organisational Awareness
• Impact and Influence
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Customer Service Orientation

Attributes

• Ownership
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Strategic thinking

Additional InformationApplicants are required to complete an individual registration profile capturing essential personal and career selection criteria. Applicants must please note that they only need to complete the online registration once and thereafter they can update their online profiles as and when necessary.PLEASE NOTE: The onus are on applicants to ensure all mandatory fields are completed. Incomplete online profiles will be disqualified from the application process. Online profiles are used for screening and shortlisting purposes. A CV is only for verification and record keeping purposes. Applicants need to ensure that their online profiles are completed with correct and current information. Incomplete sections can disqualify applicants from the screening and selection process.This applies to all internal and external applicants.

South African Airways