BRAND MANAGER

About

Our client, a leading South African sleep solutions retailer, is seeking a dynamic Brand Manager who can turn strategy into action and drive marketing initiatives that deliver real commercial results. This is a fast‑paced, hands‑on role for someone who can bridge the gap between brand, marketing, and retail performance, while leading agencies and stakeholders to deliver consistently excellent work. The role calls for a proactive, commercially minded individual who is willing to do what it takes to make marketing work in the real world – not just on paper. It requires initiative beyond the defined job scope to drive impact across all areas of the business.

Minimum Non‑Negotiable Requirements

• A relevant degree or diploma in marketing, brand management, or a related field, WITH a minimum of 4 years’ experience in brand, marketing, or retail marketing.
• Proven experience managing agencies and delivering end‑to‑end marketing campaigns, including briefing, guiding execution, and ensuring delivery against timelines and quality standards across all channels.
• Demonstrated ability to translate brand strategy into clear, actionable marketing plans, aligned to business priorities and sales targets.
• Strong experience driving sales performance through marketing, including tracking results, optimising campaigns using data and insights AS WELL AS the ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, unstructured, on‑site environment, taking a hands‑on approach, demonstrating ownership and accountability for delivery.
• A valid driver’s licence AND your own reliable vehicle.

Preferred (Will Also Count In Your Favour)

• Experience in a retail or multi‑brand environment, with an understanding of how marketing supports in‑store sales, stock movement, and regional performance.

Duties

Marketing Strategy Development

• Translating brand strategy into a clear, actionable marketing strategy
• Defining campaign frameworks, messaging pillars, and channel approach
• Aligning marketing strategy with sales targets, stock priorities, and retail objectives
• Continuously refining strategy based on performance and insights

Agency Management and Oversight

• Managing all external agencies, including:
  • Digital marketing agencies
  • SEO partners
  • Paid media agencies
  • Creative/design agencies
• Overseeing the agency responsible for Comfort Solutions' marketing strategy, ensuring:
  • Alignment with overall brand positioning
  • Consistency across the Bed King ecosystem
  • Clear link to commercial outcomes
• Holding agencies accountable to:
  • Delivery timelines
  • Quality of output
  • Measurable performance
• Providing clear briefs and strategic direction to agencies

Campaign Planning and Execution

• Leading planning and rollout of marketing campaigns across all brands
• Ensuring seamless execution across:
  • In‑store
  • Website and e‑commerce
  • Paid media
  • Social and content
• Integrating promotional calendars with business priorities

Marketing Coordination (Integrated Function)

• Managing all day‑to‑day coordination of marketing activities
• Maintaining campaign calendars and timelines
• Ensuring all stakeholders (internal and external) are aligned
• Coordinating production of marketing assets and materials
• Stepping in where needed to ensure execution happens, regardless of whether it falls into a traditional role definition

Entrepreneurial & On‑the‑Ground Marketing

• Creating and capturing content in‑store (e.g., using mobile) to support social media and real‑time marketing needs
• Visiting stores regularly to understand customer profiles, regional nuances, and sales dynamics
• Identifying and acting on local marketing opportunities (e.g., nearby schools, gyms, estates, or partnerships)
• Working closely with store teams to support their specific marketing needs
• Testing new ideas quickly and iterating based on results

Commercial Performance & Accountability

• Ensuring all marketing activity is directly linked to sales growth and ROI
• Tracking campaign performance with agencies and internal teams
• Analysing results and optimising campaigns accordingly
• Reporting on marketing impact vs. business performance

Digital & E‑Commerce Alignment

• Overseeing website and digital execution with agencies
• Ensuring campaigns are accurately represented online
• Supporting performance marketing initiatives
• Aligning digital efforts with in‑store activity

Retail & Operations Alignment

• Working closely with operations, buying, and planning teams
• Ensuring marketing supports stock movement and sales priorities
• Aligning messaging with in‑store experience and execution

Desired Skills

• Brand Manager
• Marketing
• Retail
• Campaigns
• Strategy