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.

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 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

Marketing Strategy

• 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
• Counters & Merchandising
• 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.
• Clarins: create yearly rolling forecasts by sku and send updates monthly.
• Monitor orders and follow PO cycle until arrival at the warehouse (Purchase recap)

Stock & Sales

• 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:

-Unit Sales per Month

-Sales Mix Analysis

-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

Languages – ideal candidate

• Spanish
• Basic French is a plus