Title:  Merchandising Manager

We Go Places! How about you?
Immediate Superior: Excellent Omni-Channel Execution Manager
Location: Johannesburg 
Function: Sales
Sub Function: Sales Excellence 
Type of Contract: Permanent
Reference Number: 120628

Closing Date: 23/09/2024

1. Purpose of the job
The Merchandising Manager plays a crucial role in enhancing brand power and visibility, through the implementation of PICOS in outlets, and driving overall merchandising execution for Heineken Beverages. This position involves developing and implementing effective merchandising strategies, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring a consistent brand presence across various Off Trade channels.

2. Key Responsibilities
Merchandising Strategy
• Full accountability for the management of multiple 3rd party merchandising partners.
• Develop and execute merchandising strategies that align with business objectives, PICOS guidelines and must win battles for the OPCO.
• Analyse and understand market trends, shopper behaviour patterns, and competitor activities to ensure competitive advantage in market.
• Ensure merchandising strategies incorporate our significant portfolio, to differentiate HB from our competitors.

In-Store Execution
• Plan and implement in-store merchandising displays and promotions to maximize product visibility and drive sales.
• Empower 3rd party merchandising teams to be able to capitalize on opportunities in trade, by providing the required tools and capabilities.
• Work closely with regional teams to ensure meeting cadence and full operational alignment between central HB, regional HB and 3rd parties.
• Collaborate with retailer sales and operational teams to secure primary shelf space, gondola ends displays, and other prominent secondary placements.

Visual Merchandising
• Work closely with the marketing and 3rd party operational teams, to develop and implement effective, visually appealing and on-brand merchandising materials.
• Ensure consistency in visual elements across all retail locations.
• Ensure excellence in execution across covered universe.

Inventory Management:
• Ensure that merchandising partners are actively rotating and managing stock in trade to avoid aging stock, and prevent stock outs.
• Collaborate with regional sales teams to manage ageing stock.

Promotional Activities:
• Work closely with AP, MOS, Brand and trade marketing teams to ensure accurate and timeous briefing of campaigns to be implemented in trade.
• Actively manage POS material, draw rates, and implementation rates on a daily basis. Troubleshooting where required.
• Collaborate with the activity planning team to ensure accuracy of campaign information (Universe, Implementation Guidelines and POS elements per outlet)
• Monitor implementation progress to ensure 80% implementation by end week 2, and full 99% implementation by campaign close date.

Training and Development:
• Develop and facilitate training and education of merchandising teams, to ensure full understanding of HB in trade aspirations.
• Conduct product knowledge training, ensure merchandising guidelines are adhered to, and drive 3rd party team understanding of PICOS.
• Provide ongoing support and communication to ensure alignment with company must wins.

Data Analysis:
• Utilize audit data to drive performance on sales execution measures, through exception reporting and the communication of current performance level to the 3rd party teams.
• Track outlet adherence to business drivers (A2QVP2)
• Generate reports to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and share insights with the operation teams, and management reporting for leadership teams.

Budget Management:
• Ensure adherence to OPEX budgets, drive efficiencies to manage costs, and actively work with 3rd party teams to drive cost savings where possible.

3. Job Requirements
3.1. Education
• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field.

3.2. Experience
• Proven experience in merchandising, preferably within the alcohol beverage industry.
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in an FMCG environment.
• Strong ability to motivate and enthuse large teams.
• Strong understanding of retail dynamics, consumer behavior, and market trends.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

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.