Senior Brand Manager - DACH m/w/d

IN A NUTSHELL, YOU WILL...

• Own the brand vision and growth agenda for Vita Coco across Germany, Austria & Switzerland with full accountability for increasing brand awareness, buzz, household penetration, trade marketing visibility and long-term brand equity
• Set the creative ambition for the region, developing distinctive campaigns and activations that challenge category conventions and push beyond what is typically expected in the German market so that we become known for being a disruptive player
• Translate the global brand strategy into a bold, locally resonant DACH plan, while confidently influencing the wider EMEA brand agenda
• Identify and unlock new growth opportunities, including culturally relevant partnerships, jumping on emerging consumer behaviours, new occasions and disruptive ways to gain attention
• Operate as the senior marketing leader within the DACH team, building strong commercial relationships and influencing decisions across functions and levels.
• Lead and develop the DACH Trade Marketing Manager, creating clarity, accountability and the conditions for excellent execution.
• Balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, taking personal responsibility for resolving issues and ensuring activations succeed on the ground.

IN MORE DETAIL THIS MEANS...

CAMPAIGNS & BRAND CONSISTENCY

• Owning and being fully accountable for the Vita Coco brand across DACH, maintaining brand guidelines to ensure consistent representation of the brand across all internal and external communications
• Set a high creative standard for the region and champion disruptive ideas from initial concept through to execution
• Develop disruptive, earned-first campaigns and experiences that make people stop, pay attention and remember Vita Coco
• Challenge established category conventions and assumptions about what will work in Germany, using consumer understanding and sound judgement to take considered creative risks
• Translate consumer, cultural and commercial insight into a clear brand strategy and focused annual plan and ongoing plan optimisation.
• Ensure that DACH team are consistently brought on the brand journey and that brand outcomes are aligned to business objectives
• Drive pack-in-hand sampling initiatives, ensuring product is delivered at the right place and right time for consumers to engage with the brand
• Identifying and managing local partnerships, events, and opportunities for Vita Coco, ensuring they are delivering strategic goals and ROI is carefully considered
• Stay close to execution, personally attending key activations, including occasional weekend events, and taking ownership of resolving issues in real time
• Partner closely with digital, commercial and wider brand teams to ensure activity is connected, continuously optimised and delivered brilliantly.
• Ensuring we operate as a better-for-you brand, championing diversity & inclusion across our touchpoints.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP

• Manage, coach and develop the DACH Trade Marketing Manager, setting a high bar for accountability, quality and pace
• Create motivation and belief in the DACH brand vision, bringing positive energy and ongoing clarity to the wider team, developing excellent relationships across the commercial team
• Anticipate risks and opportunities rather than waiting to be directed, bringing solutions and clear recommendations
• Mentoring and developing junior team members to enhance their skills and career growth within the organisation
• Work cross-functionally with London-based team, including the digital team where collaboration is key to brand success
• Contribute actively to the leadership and culture of the DACH team, and the wider marketing team

TRACKING & REPORTING

• Tracking and reporting monthly on the effectiveness of marketing activities, adjusting strategies as necessary to optimise performance and achieve KPIs
• Manage the DACH marketing budget with monthly reporting to make budget and investment proposals based on brand performance and growth opportunities

The job description is not exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake other duties in line with their ability and the changing needs of the business.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• 6+ years Brand Management experience in FMCG, including experience operating at a Senior Brand Manager level.
• Experienced people manager, with a track record of developing and inspiring teams
• A track record of developing bold, distinctive campaigns that challenge convention and delivered measurable brand or business impact
• Strong commercial and financial understanding, including budget ownership, investment prioritisation and performance evaluation
• Exceptional project management skills with a willingness to get stuck into new challenges and remain close to execution.
• A self-starter with impact and ability to deliver outstanding results within a fast-moving dynamic environment
• A winning work ethic with a high level of personal accountability
• Can think outside the box and demonstrate initiative to get the job done
• Strong understanding of consumer behaviour and market trends in FMCG and the German retail landscape
• Strong communications and stakeholder management skills to influence and build relationships, creating excitement inside and outside the organisation
• Fluency in German and strong professional English.
• Power user of MS 365 Suite
• And of course, a love of all things coconuts!

The Vita Coco Company is committed to the principles of equal employment. We believe in building a diverse and inclusive culture and a positive employee experience and are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, marital/civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. We welcome applications from a diverse range of individuals and will consider any reasonable adjustments to enable candidates to perform as well as possible during the recruitment process.

COCO PERKS

• 30 days holiday and Birthday off!
• 5 Volunteer days
• Flexible hours + early Friday finish*
• Free Vita Coco Products
• DB JobTicket
• Wellbeing Benefit (EGYM WellPass)
• Group Life Assurance 
• EAP - Employee Assistance Programme 
• Bonus - All our permanent employees are entitled to a discretionary bonus 😊