Brand Manager - Pharmaceutical & Consumer Healthcare

About the role

A growing company in the pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare industry is looking for an experienced, commercially driven Brand Manager to lead the launch and development of a new product in the Kenyan market, with potential for expansion into other cities and African markets. The budget is USD 2,500-3,000, which includes gross salary.

Key responsibilities

• Work with the principal, importer, distributors, chain pharmacies and marketing agency to build the marketing strategy, plans and implementation approach for Kenya, and coordinate their execution.
• Monitor implementation, give feedback to stakeholders and work with the advertising agency on ATL and BTL activities such as TV, radio, sampling and consumer activations.
• Lead the launch event and initiatives to secure distribution and retail support, negotiating with pharmacy, supermarket and other retail buyers for listings, visibility and displays.
• Drive brand distribution expansion across key cities and channels with distributor sales teams, and strengthen in-store visibility and promotions.
• Analyze brand positioning, consumer insights, market trends and competitor activity, then turn them into go-to-market plans and campaigns.
• Develop and monitor brand performance indicators, sales estimates, pricing and cost parameters, and report on campaign performance, KPIs and ROI.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business or a related field; a postgraduate qualification, MBA or professional marketing qualification is an advantage.
• Proven experience as a Brand Manager, Marketing Manager or in a similar commercial marketing role.
• Experience in pharmaceuticals, OTC, consumer healthcare or FMCG, especially with international brands, is highly preferred.
• Proven track record of launching and growing new products and brands, and of building brand and marketing strategies.
• Good understanding of the Kenyan consumer and market, and awareness of broader African market trends.

Required skills

• Product launches, go-to-market strategy and demand generation.
• Trade marketing, distribution and business development.
• Strong analytical, data-driven and commercially oriented approach.
• Communication, negotiation and stakeholder management.