Title:  Brand Manager

We are JTI, Japan Tobacco International, and we are present in 130 countries. We have spent years innovating, creating new and better products for the consumers to choose from. This is our business. But not only. Our business is our people. Their talent. Their potential. We believe that when they are free to be themselves, and they are given the opportunity to grow, travel and develop, amazing things can happen.

That’s why our employees, from around the world, choose to be a part of JTI. It is why 80% of employees feel happy working at JTI. And why we’ve been awarded Global Top Employer status, ten years running. 

So when you’re ready to choose a career you’ll love, in a company you’ll love, feel free to #JoinTheIdea. 

Learn more: jti.com

Global Applicants are welcome but local employment contract will apply.
Department: Marketing
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Reporting to: Brand Lead

Brand Manager

The incumbent will join a dynamic and fast paced environment, working closely with the Brand Lead to generate strategies that grow share of market and brand equity, improve consumer engagement and drive growth to the business. He / she will be responsible for the stewardship of brand equity and activation within the JTI portfolio whilst constantly uncover consumer insights and deliver innovative marketing campaigns which includes the development of communication touchpoints, programs and point of sale materials. He / she will be the brand communication custodian for existing and new brand launches, in regular contact with JTI global brand management, global / local communication agencies and work closely to collaborate with other Marketing & Sales members to ensure consistency of brand equity and implementation of brand strategies.

What will you do?

• Work in close collaboration with respective managers of Marketing and Sale to ensure alignment with the market, HQ and integrated activities. Provide all the necessary input to the Annual & Strategic Plan (ASP) related to brand(s) equity.
• In close liaison with Strategic Insight Function to monitor brand performance in order to identify short and long term issues / opportunities. Analyse how the brand is positioned / is competing in the market and crystallize targeted consumer insights and competitiveness. 

• Translate brand strategies and objectives into brand product & packaging, trade and consumer engagement, and launch to market execution. 

• Lead the development of all elements of the marketing mix including new product and packaging, brand communication and strategies to strengthen brand equity and ensure alignment to brand positioning as defined by HQ.

• Drive innovation and program activation, determine new ways to reach the consumer while ensuring legal compliance. Oversee adaptation of global guidelines in order to suit local specificities.

• Monitor market trends, research consumer markets and competitors activities to identify opportunities and key issues in order to develop the most effective communication tools within the legislation.

• Measure and report performance of all marketing campaigns and assess against objectives (ROI and KPIs).

• Responsible for all contact with global / local agency and management of projects contracted to the agencies. Manage timelines and negotiate communication budgets allocated to the agencies. Make annual assessments the agencies' performance and take corrective actions if necessary.

• Manage various tasks and projects as they arise and upon manager’s request. 

Who are we looking for?

• University degree required
• At least 5 years of relevant managerial experience in FMCG marketing function.

• Good understanding of full marketing mix. Proven ability to develop brand and marketing strategies and effectively communicate recommendations to executive management.

• Highly creative with ability to think out of the box. 

• Has strong agency and project management skills.

• Experience in identifying target audiences and devising campaigns that engage, inform and motivate.

• Strong analytical skills and data driven thinking. Comfortable working with numbers, metrics and spreadsheets.

• Good understanding of operational constraints and strong executional reflex. 

• Appreciation of legislation / taxation, external relations, marketing standards in your industry. 

• Advanced communication and interpersonal skills. Team player.

• Both global & regional experience (desirable).

• Exposure to reduced-risk products and digital marketing is an added advantage. 

• Fluent English communication skills (required)

• Functional skills required:

  • Trade / consumer/distribution/ channel strategy 
  • Brand positioning 
  • New product launches and activation 
  • Product & pack development
  • Brand communication
  • Consumer / trade trends monitoring 
  • Competitive intelligence / assessment
  • Consumer, shopper & trade insight 
  • Consumer relationship marketing 
  • Consumer marketing 
  • Negotiation skill
  • Agency management
  • Budget resource allocation & brand contribution management
  • Understanding of the commercial side of the business
  • Ability to drive sales volume
  • Computer literacy in Microsoft Office & cloud-based document collaboration, specifically in Excel and Powerpoint

What's in it for you?

• Work at our JTI office in Kuala Lumpur.

• Be part of a truly international and diverse company with over 40,000 employees in 130 countries.

• Experience the culture of an Investors in People certified company

What are the next steps?

Thank you very much for your interest in the role. We will make sure every candidate will receive a reply within 2 weeks after the application deadline.