The Country Lubricants Marketing Manager is a key role in the Lubricants Organization supporting the growth agenda of the lubricants business in the OU. This role is instrumental in driving the profitable growth agenda for the business by developing and ensuring the implementation of the lubricants marketing plan is in alignment with the OU Lubricants Sales & Marketing Strategy and the Central Lubricants Marketing Strategy.

The Role:

• Adapt centrally defined Cost-volume-profits (CVPs) and lead the implementation of adequate CVP per sector and channel, leveraging the unique dimensions of the respective sector/channel.
• Conduct market/competitor and brand research/analysis that feed into marketing plans and strategies.
• Design, and implement the annual lubricants marketing plan for the OU in alignment with the business plan, the marketing strategy and the Central brand and marketing initiatives, ensuring coordination with other lines of business.
• Develop channel strategies designed to avoid channel/sector conflicts.
• Develop insights and implications from the research, share and interpret the insights/learnings and recommendations with the relevant audiences.
• Develop the OU lubricants price list and discount policy in line with the pricing strategy and lubes MOA, ensure implementation and trigger/manage reviews.
• Engage with the whole organization (e.g. Sales, Distribution, Supply Chain, Logistics etc.) to address customer feedback
• Ensure all local sales staff are armed with all the marketing and sales tools required to support the sector/channel CVPs and are fully trained and prepared to deliver these to customers.
• Ensure brand maps for key SKU’s are updated regularly and provide recommendations.
• Ensure coordination with other Lines of business Research/Insights initiatives
• Ensure correct application/implementation of Brand & Communications guidelines/policies.
• Ensure pre and post analysis reports are made for key initiatives/campaigns, track performance of initiatives.
• Lead the development of clear pricing strategies and approaches with the coordination of the Central Pricing & PLM Manager.
• Lead the development of the OU Lubricants Marketing Strategy to achieve defined business objectives across all channels.
• Lead the Organizational Unit (OU) implementation of global product/packaging initiatives coordinated by the Central PLM team.
• Manage new product introduction in collaboration with the Central PLM team and the relevant local teams to ensure effectiveness in the process end to end, leading the pricing, launch communications and other launch initiatives.
• Monitor pricing performance for key SKU’s, including cost trends, provide guidance to sales for price positioning and pricing review mechanism for B2B customers.
• Pro-actively develop and manage production of communication & marketing support tools and materials/collateral.
• Proactively manage the lubricants brand/product portfolio to ensure profitable and fit for purpose product offer (SKU introduction, review, withdrawal) in liaison with the Central PLM team.
• Professional use of market communications and including the economic use of Market Research, Strategic Planning, Advertising, Media, Sales promotions, Event Marketing, PR, Branded signage, Sponsorships and Database Marketing.
• Provide continuous feed of suspects into the SPANCOP pipeline.
• Set marketing objectives including sales, profit targets, brand indicators, consumer/customer satisfaction measures and ensure follow through to implementation.
• Support Indirect Channel RTM strategy and Indirect Channel Excellence implementation; participate in go-forward distributor annual and quarterly Business Plan review sessions and drive channel loyalty.
• Tight interaction with Corporate Communications Manager in directing and managing advertising agencies and media agency for the OU.
• Translate business unit objectives and strategies to develop brand portfolio, channel and sector objectives, strategies and plans to facilitate business unit growth.

The Candidate:

• Degree in Business related field
• 10 years of experience, including sales and marketing roles with strong brand management skills in the oil and gass industry.
• Good understanding of Retail, B2C and/or B2B markets.