Job Description

Purpose:As the Head of Future Route to Consumer Strategy, your primary responsibility will be to develop & execute a future route to consumer strategy for Heineken Beverages South Africa and Heineken Beverages International for other African markets for a multi-category portfolio of brands & products. Your role will involve investigating & piloting various RTC solutions, ranging from direct delivery channels to strategic partnerships with distributors, or a hybrid model that combines multiple approaches. By shaping and implementing an effective route to consumer strategy, you will play a pivotal role in driving market share, revenue & profit growth, in expanding market reach & enhancing customer experience.Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy Development: Lead the development of a comprehensive route to consumer strategy, aligned with company's strategic growth objectives & market dynamics.
• Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to identify emerging trends, consumer preferences, & competitive landscape in beverages industry.
• Options Evaluation: Evaluate & analyze various route to market solutions, including direct delivery, distributor partnerships, digital e-commerce platforms, & other innovative RTM approaches inspired by consumer goods industry best practices across markets.
• Pilot Programs: Design & oversee pilot programs to test & validate different route to market strategies, measuring their effectiveness & scalability.
• Partnership Enhancement & Management: Collaborate with internal teams & external partners to establish & manage strategic alliances, distributor relationships, & other key business partnerships.
• Operational Optimization: Work closely with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, optimize logistics, & ensure smooth implementation of chosen route to consumer strategies.
• Performance Monitoring: Develop robust metrics & KPIs to track the success & impact of route to consumer initiatives, providing regular updates & insights to key stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, & best practices related to route to market strategies, constantly seeking opportunities for improvement and innovation.
• Team Leadership: Build & manage a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative & results-driven culture, & providing mentorship & guidance to team members.

• Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in route to consumer strategy, business development, or related roles within the beverages industry.
• A proven track record of successful large-scale, end to end RTC transformation in another market or company
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the beverages market, including distribution channels, supply chain dynamics, & consumer behaviours.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong analytical & problem-solving skills with the ability to think strategically, identify opportunities, & make data-driven decisions.
• Collaboration: Proven track record of successfully collaborating with cross-functional teams & external partners to achieve shared objectives.
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership capabilities with the ability to inspire & motivate teams, driving them towards achieving ambitious goals.
• Project Management: Excellent project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple initiatives, prioritize tasks, & meet agreed milestones & datelines.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal & written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present complex concepts & influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Innovation Mindset: Proactive & forward-thinking approach, continuously seeking innovative solutions & staying updated on industry trends.

Heineken