Brand Manager

Essence Corp, master distributor of fine fragrances and cosmetics for the Caribbean region and Travel Retail markets of the Americas has an immediate opening for a Brand Manager with experience/focus in COSMETICS or FRAGRANCES The ideal candidate should be fluent in English & Spanish with an advanced level of Excel skills. Must be organized, detail oriented, strong analytical skills, self-driven, team player, and the ability to multi-task in a very fast paced environment. Industry experience with focus in COSMETICS and/or FRAGRANCES a must. Responsible for the implementation of the marketing strategy of existing and new products in the markets. Ensures adherence to brands’ guidelines. RESPONSIBILITIES A&P Review global expenses per brand on a monthly basis against A&P budget in agreement with the supplier Monitor reimbursable accounts for every assigned brand Request reimbursement from the brands for Special Agreements and Ex-Factory expenses or counters Analyze and monitor budgets as per Trade Marketing plans Process and follow up on vendor payments related to marketing expenses Prepare with the commercial team the yearly A&P budget and communicate it to the Brands for validation Communicate to the Brands the closing of yearly A&P. Forecasts & Ordering Define yearly purchases with the Brands Prepare forecasts according to Marketing Plans and client confirmations Create yearly order flow and a launch calendar of all items forecasted (sellable and POSM) Follow the forecast for animations and POS material. Ensure that all POSM ordered is used properly Communicate to all commercial teams on all issues pertaining to forecasts, such as releasing and requesting quantities, transfers between markets and meeting ordering system deadlines Establish a promotional strategy per brand with the commercial teams Update the promotional plan monthly depending on availability date and stock available Prepare and inform of availability of gifts sets, GWPs and novelties in the warehouse Coordinate production of animations materials with Advertising and Promotions Team Follow up with the area managers to ensure all promotional materials are included on the sales orders Opening of make-up doors: Define the assortment with the Brand, send the planogram and the list of POSM to be shipped (modules and testers) Define assortments for new Brands on board Coordinate with Project Manager for yearly wish lists, budget and production of personalized counters Request updated planograms twice a year to the Brands and communicate them to commercial team Coordinate with the Brand the implementation of personalized projects such as personalized backwalls and Open Spa (visuals selection and production, made-to-measure merchandising, control of expenses vs budget etc.) Request corrections of the merchandising whenever needed at the time of receipt of POS photos for the Image Archive Make sure that novelties are properly displayed at POS level. Coordinate with the sales team on the implementation of special projects requiring new spaces: Make-up GTU, Personalized spaces etc. Present the incoming marketing plan to the sales team twice a year Price Lists Ensure that all saleable skus are updated SAGE at all times with correct information, including: Prices, UPC codes, availability dates and technical data Inform Commercial team of any updates / 3 months in advance for a price increase Review yearly the price changes communicated by the Brand (analysis prepared by the marketing coordinator). Communicate internally and with the Brand about all abnormal price increases or decreases. Prepare and submit purchase orders to the brand. Make sure to respect the purchase deadlines of every Brand. Monitor monthly the sales by Unit forecast and send upload when necessary Establish with the sales team yearly SPE needs (by client & by month) to build the yearly purchase plan accordingly. Make sure to respect a balanced assortment when ordering. Monitor orders and follow PO cycle until arrival at the warehouse (Purchase recap) Review assortment on a regular basis. Validate with the commercial team and the Brand the phasing out of sellable skus. Define and propose actions for phased out / discontinued items / destructions Prepare sales offer for overstocks and phased out Propose substitutions to the commercial team in case of out of stock items Analyze stock & sales report on a weekly basis or more when needed Inform commercial team of all stock arrivals or out of stocks due to delivery issues Inform brand of any damaged goods and follow up on resolution Reporting Prepare quarterly business reviews (frequency depends on supplier) Monthly sales report to present to the brand, including: Stock Reports Wholesales by client Wholesale & Purchase Analysis Gather sell out reports from commercial team Rankings Trade activities & competition information Event & Training Activities Maintain image archives updated on the server and supervise promo and media books Report to the Brand the implementation of animations, personalizations etc. Send reporting upon demand to the Brands (POS list, BAs lists, wholesales, purchase budgets etc.). Grey market monitoring Liaise with the Brand and internally to regularly update the list of references to be tracked Training Brand manager is responsible for all trainings in the absence of a trainer; he or she must be able to present all the novelties and history of the brand Prepare marketing presentations for use of the commercial team on new items, seminars and trainings Co-op advertising Request the Brands’ validation for new media. Liaise with the Brands to define the advertising visuals and get the artwork #J-18808-Ljbffr