Title:  Head Strategic Insights and Portfolio Innovation

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Immediate Superior: Andrea Quaye 
Job Grade: 35 
Location: Johannesburg
Function: Commerce
Sub Function: Commerce - Marketing - Brand Management
Type of Contract: Permanent
Reference Number: 127221 
Closing Date: 27/12/2024

Purpose of the job:

Responsible for driving strategic portfolio management, innovation, and consumer and market insights within the organization.
This leadership role shapes the execution of the Portfolios.
It includes the leveraging of consumer and shopper insights, category dynamics, competitor intelligence, market segmentation, and data analysis to develop and execute portfolio strategies, drive new product development, optimize resource allocation, and inform integrated commercial planning.
Forms an integral role within the MLT of Heineken Beverages, entrenching the culture and leadership of
the marketing function.
Serves as a key Advisor to the Marketing Director and assist in the daily operational running of the Marketing Department.
Develops cross category understanding of the Portfolios and leads the business in terms of insights which are cross functional and Opco broad, not only at marketing level
 

Key Responsibilities:

Portfolio Strategy and Management:

• To Lead the execution of the BWCP strategy (Building Winning Consumer Portfolios) 
• Deploy strategic market (including Supply Chain, Excise etc.), category, shopper and customer insights to inform and guide the Marketing and Commercial teams to achieve Heineken Beverages Marketing and Commercial plans
• Provide support to the Heineken Beverages Marketing Director to drive the cadence of the strategic planning processes
• Lead the development of Heineken Beverages Total Beverage portfolio strategy using Polaris and other strategic tools as the foundation to optimise and grow value market share and to clearly articulate the role of each category and each brand within the portfolio
• Develop, embed and continually refresh a robust Portfolio Strategy, that maximises penetration and drives profitable growth. Co-lead category strategic choices and framework with the Category leads and consolidate the Heineken Beverages Portfolio Strategic outlook and 3-Syr priorities.
• Inform resource allocation across portfolio through data analytics, trend analysis and insights generated.
• Support brand strategic development and decisions ensuring alignment with Heineken Beverages portfolio strategic choices (and Polaris) through the Integrated Commercial Planning process
• Identify future opportunities/ white spaces that feed into innovation funnel and support development of innovation projects
• Keep in touch with market and consumer trends to ensure that we are proactively driving the business to stay ahead and win in market
• Support AP and SP development as well as monthly and quarterly business reviews with various stakeholders in the business

Insights:

• Guide CMI team ensuring that they are providing information and insights that support decision making through fact-based data, insights and recommendations
• Drive high quality consumer, category, brand and market insights to support business across various stakeholders in real time
• Integrate various data sources that are available in the business and lead the journey towards becoming a data driven business with a single holistic view of the market (ONE source of truth)
• Actively champion and continuously develop the insightfulness capability further across the group through developing and sharing best practice
   

Innovation:

• Identify relevant growth opportunities by harnessing consumer, shopper, category and customer insights. Effectively launch value creating brand, product, packaging and systems innovations, while recommending areas to optimize to avoid portfolio creep
• Utilise Consumer, market, category and brand insights to identify White spaces that drive Heineken Beverages Innovation pipeline, partnering with the Africa Innovation hub
• Conduct regular competitive strategic reviews to generate insights into consumer demand drivers.
• Oversee Innovation launch strategy, calendar and implementation to grow Heineken Beverages market share
• Prepare a three-year innovation pipeline for the portfolio with support of the global and local innovation teams (and in collaboration with the Innovation Hub). The pipeline should include product extensions and pack innovations, and beyond the bottle innovation.
   

Planning:

• Drive the development of the annual innovation development process for brands within the portfolio.
• Oversee Innovation target setting, ATL/ BTL budget planning, ICP planning process, brand activity calendars, activation plans
• Lead tracking of NPD performance against business case and detailed plans (including cannibalisation impact on existing portfolio), and mitigate write-offs of NPD's or any components thereof
• Support Innovation team alignment processes with key local and global stakeholders to drive strategies to action
• Drive alignment with key local and global stakeholders in the operating environment
• Lead and pro-actively coach team around sustainable performance. Personal Development and Teamwork.

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Post-graduate degree in marketing, business, market research, or a related field (MBA preferable)

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in consumer insights, market research, category management, or related roles.
• In-depth knowledge of consumer behavior, market dynamics, and portfolio management.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and generate actionable insights.
• Extensive experience in market research methodologies, data analysis, and insights generation.
• Proven track record in driving innovation, new product development, and portfolio strategies.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools.
• Project management skills with the ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply. Heineken Beverages (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd) is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates and values inclusion and diversity. You must be fully eligible to live and work in South Africa to apply.