Channel Marketing Manager at RCL Foods

Job Description    
At RCL FOODS we see and do things differently, we think bigger, work smarter and as a team, collectively work towards achieving our ambition; more food to more people, more often!

Our Talent Team are currently looking for a dynamic Channel Marketing Manager to join our Food Partners Team. The role will be based in Westville and report into the Customer Marketing Executive.

RCL Foods entrusts the Channel Marketing Manager to:

• Drive the profitable growth of all RCL Categories within specified Channels
• Specialise in turning data driven insight from sales and other data in channel into motivating marketing mixes, that can efficiently be delivered by the sales teams and that drive sales and consumption growth.
• Direct the strategy of the development of the Channel in line with company and Category Objectives, align the Category developments in product and promotion to the needs of the Channel and vice versa.

Minimum Requirements    

• BCom degree in Business Management and/or Marketing.
• Valid Code EB drivers’ licence.
• 5 years' experience in a Foodservice function that includes managing brands or channels, with at least 5 years in a management role.

Duties & Responsibilities    

• National Strategy Formulation and Implementation:
• Formulate short- and long-term (3-year) Channel strategies to deliver sustainable, profitable growth by key customers and free trade in your channels.
• Be involved with the National Account Managers in the joint business planning process; designing long term business plans with leading trade customers.
• Ensure alignment across plans, Category and Channel and with the key accounts.
• Participate in the S&OP product forecast process to drive improved forecast accuracy for the business.
• Determine the tone and direction the Channel Team takes in its approach to working with your key customers.
• Formulate the brand SIA targets in consultation with the Food Solutions Channel Business Partners and ensure alignment with the national targets.
• Drive the achievement of Channel SIA operational targets.
• Operationalise and implement the marketing strategy in the market place and with the customer development team.
• Have a significant involvement in the Cycle Planning process that will convert the Marketing Plans into action through the sales teams.
• Ensure that mixes are very strongly tailored for effectiveness in your channel.
• Drive the brand building execution programme with the customer development teams.
• Evaluate and monitor competitors and their activities and formulate proactive responses when required.
• Perform rigorous investment analysis and allocate budget accordingly.
• Participate in the Foodservice commercial planning process through the development of an annual Channel business plans that support Brand Plans.

Manage National Account Relationships:

• Grow business by participating in joint business planning (JBP) process with key partners that delivers clear achievable plans to service end use key accounts.
• Build and maintain a reputation as RCL Foods’s leading expert on your Channels, the Customers and their operational needs.
• Analyse sales statistics and market trends to determine business growth potential.
• Review key account performance, set targets and develop activity plans to improve growth
• Plot the annual and long term objectives for responsible channels and ensure all volume, distribution and profit target are met.
• Develop channel and customer specific activities, including promotions, POS, site training/briefing information, merchandising solutions and even products that generate real sales growth.

Provide support required for the customer managers and teams working on your channels:

• Provide clear and efficient information and considered tools that ensure that the Outlet Operations Team can effectively drive new SKU penetration of accounts in your channels.
• Work closely with National Accounts so they can deliver more effective mixes that grow the profitability of your Channels by building joint knowledge
• Work closely with the National Sales Trainer to ensure that SOP for your outlets are well understood and being translated via our Outlet training programmes and delivering sustainable quality preparation.

New product Development:

• Participate in Foodservice division decision making process around new product launches. Key area of input: Channel requirements at a SKU and Outlet level
• Work closely with National Account Mangers and cross-functional teams on customised NPD projects within your channel and try leverage their relevance across the channel.
• Lead Customised NPD if channel relevant not individual customer led.
• Ensure all launches have strong motivating marketing mixes and all essential education and training materials for the Internal (Sales Teams) and External Key Account and Outlet contacts.

Marketing and Promotion:

• Participate in the formulation of the Channel Plan in collaboration with the Channel Business Partners and Brand Managers.
• Drive and assess trade promotions investment in your channel to ensure maximum profitable growth.
• Work with brand marketing and Customer management to develop suitable solutions for warmer/cabinets or other fixed hardware.

Market and Customer Insight Maintenance:

• Analyse and track market, customer and channel trends and in-market measures at the customer and channel level, such as distribution, share, price, and merchandising performance.
• Identify business implications and make recommendations.
• Act as the Channel customer expert, understanding what drives purchase needs and customer behaviour.

Pricing Guidelines Management:

• Participate in setting new product pricing to extract maximum value for RCL Foods and key account customers.
• Track RCL brand and competitive prices across customers.

Supply Chain Distribution Management:

• Provide holistic forecasting information to the necessary Demand Planning team in the S&OP process.

Financial Management:

• Lead in the formulation of RCL Foods growth targets for your Channel with your Channel Business Partner.
• Manage and control the Channel expenditure budget.

Organisational Efficiency:

• Drive efficient working relationship with the other Foodservice Teams namely; Trade Team, Customer Outlet Operations, Channel teams and Marketing to ensure effective delivery of your channel strategy through their teams.
• Participate in the Cycle Planning Process and ensure your channel has a body of activity at necessary levels for each quarter, covering innovation and activation for the outlets in your channel.
• Implement and simplify appropriate business processes to increase organisational effectiveness and efficiency.

People Management:

• Lead and develop staff within the context of the Labour Relations Act, Employment Equity Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Skills Development Act.
• Manage staff activities, ensuring service levels are met and protocols are adhered to.
• Coach and support staff where necessary to achieve objectives.