Marketing Manager (Marketing Manager)

• Most companies in the steel and engineering sector are familiar with SEIFSA as it is an employers' union representing the sector through mandates from Associations affiliated to it. The Federation comprises 23 Associations, which currently have a combined membership over 1200 companies and employ over 150 000 hourly-paid workers. SEIFSA member’s employs 51% of the industry's workforce, and over 78% of all employees represented by the employer organisations, party to the Metal and Engineering Industries’ Bargaining Council. SEIFSA representation occurs at national level - the most recent examples of which are the introduction of import steel tariffs iand the successful, strike-free wage negotiations that were concluded between Labour, Business and Government and culminated in the New Main Agreement in August 2017. 
• The Federation also creates sectoral or industry platforms from which its members can network with each other and policy makers about best business practises, innovation with the objective of ensuring the survival of the industry. Examples are the Southern African Metals & Engineering Indaba (held in collaboration with IDC and major sponsors) and the Industry Golf Day (running 66 years). 
• Finally, we service our members and other businesses at company level by providing public workshop training and consultancy across IR & Legal, SHEQ, Economics & Commerce and HC&SD.

Other brands under the SEIFSA portfolio are:

• The SEIFSA Training Centre, in conjunction with Gijima and accredited by merSETA, provides Engineering sector apprenticeships and artisan up-skilling.
• The Small Business Hub, which incubates small businesses through management of SED levies on behalf of corporates. 
• role is the marketing of the entire portfolio of the Federation and co-responsibility for each of the brands' financial success through identified marketing strategy and implementation plans, stakeholder and B2B customer relationship management, media management, staff and supplier management, event management, budget management - which includes an element of sponsorship.

Scope of Work:

• Managing the Company brand through Integrated Marketing Communication Strategies and implementation plans across all relevant media (primarily digital) and communication platforms.
• Commissioning and management of new digital platforms, crafting of digital strategy which includes website (www.seifsa.co.za) management, social media, PPC, Google Adwords, evites (bulk email), In-Bound campaigns.
• Budget Management. 
• Reporting – ROI.
• Responsible primarily for the marketing of the Company’s products and services, management of corporate initiatives as well as the sourcing/generation of sufficient sponsorship for these initiatives. 
• Co--responsibility for the performance of the Company’s products and services and the Federation’s financial performance;
• Overall responsibility for the financial performance of the Company’s Economics and Commercial Division, including the Small Business Hub within that Division, and for the financial performance of the Company’s Training Centre;
• Working closely with Divisional Executives who are primary internal customers and ensure that all of the Company’s public training sessions are promoted widely according to stringent Critical Path Schedules
• Overall responsibility for the successful performance of the annual Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba, the SEIFSA Awards for Excellence and the SEIFSA Industry Golf Day, for which sponsorship is sourced to ensure that these events generate a profit per annum

This business is a family owned business which is currently supplier of industrial products, encapsulating both minor and major products for Commercial, Industrial, Construction and Mining sectors, mainly to Zimbabwe. The current shortage of cash in Zimbabwe has affected companies’ ability to pay for stock, which has a direct knock-on effect to our business.

Rock drills & Rock drill spares, a variety of mechanical supplies for the mining and construction industry including:
Hydraulic Rubber hoses
Thermoplastic hoses
Non-conductive hoses
PTFE hoses

Mechanical seals and mechanical seal reconditioning
Single spring mechanical seals
Submersible pump industry seals

Pneumatics
Pneumatic cylinders
Control valves
Fittings

Hydraulics
Pumps
Valves and controls
Cylinders

Scope of Consulting Work:
Marketing Consultant for private companies.
Scope centres on Integrated Marketing Communication Strategy development and vertical, horizontal, internal and external integrated implementation across the business, augmented by Media (ABL, BTL, Digital), Public Relations, Customer Relationship Management, Budget Management, Activations and Promotions, Corporate Social Investment, Administration, Supplier Management

Scope of Work Done:

• Developing operational plans to ensure that the brand remains relevant to consumers, that all marketing initiatives support the brand promise and that ROI metrics are in place for all activities.
• Alternative Income sales activities to achieve maximum profitability and growth in line with the Company’s sundry income targets.

Strategy:

• Ensure that Market Research for the centre is relevant.
• Develop annual strategies aligned with the Corporate 5 year strategy and conclusions of the market research. 
• Manage the implementation of the Marketing plan.

Operational:

• Commission Market Research for the centre with a view that the conclusions must influence the overall business plan.
• Develop and implement Public Relation strategy in line with Corporate PR regulations and with AVE reporting metric in place.
• Oversee the writing of press releases, copy for marketing materials, annual reports, advertisements, and other related material.
• Manage media relations, research editorial opportunities and build relationships with key industry media.
• Develop and implement a Digital Media strategy to encompass website, social media, e-marketing imperatives.
• Oversee activation and promotional planning, organization and execution in line with the regulations dictated by the Consumer Protection Act and its requisite approvals.
• ROI per activation/promotion – YOY, YTD income and foot-count growth analysis in line with targets.
• Development and management of a CSI Strategy for the Centre. 
• Develop monthly and quarterly reports for management.
• Implement and manage integrated Alternative Income plan, ensuring that exhibitions are profitable, and in line with the Sandton City/Nelson Mandela Square/Eastgate brand profile. 
• Construction Development and refurbishment projects – prepare media releases and interviews, informative and brand creative adequately applied to construction areas.
• Management of Marketing CAPEX projects.

Financial:

• Develop, manage and report on annual Brand and Activation Budgets.
• Management of CAPEX budgets.

Brand:

• Prepare and execute an effective Integrated Brand Communication strategy across the business to ensure successful delivery of brand promise.
• Analyse and report on ROI metrics of all marketing activities.
• Development of key messages for all audiences to communicate core brand identity.
• Drive sponsorship and partnering opportunities for the Centre. 
• Manage brand C.I. guidelines to ensure all vendors and internal audiences follow them and update them as necessary.
• Constructional Development - ensure informative messaging is delivered to stakeholders through ABL, BTL, on-line and PR platforms.

Customer Relationship Management:

• Develop marketing aspects of the Tenant Liaison Programme in conjunction with centre manager. 
• Drive development and management of a programme to increase Gift Card sales. 
• Develop and administer Customer Service Relationship Programmes. Comprises commissioning of Mystery Shopper Surveys with a view to developing relevant Tenant Training Programmes and Tenant Award initiatives, aimed ultimately at improving the Centre’s customer service levels.
• Ensure customer complaints are responded to within prescribed 24-hour turn-around time.

Supplier Management:

• Manage all supplier tender processes in line with Procurement policies and Stanlib requisites.
• Manage on-site Market Suppliers to ensure their contractual delivery.
• Lead agencies and internal team members where appropriate to execute all communication activities and public relations (marketing materials, advertising, client communications, direct mail, marketing campaigns, press releases, content for trade publications, etc.).
• Conducts one-on-one quarterly review with all suppliers and advertisers.
• Maintains contact with all clients in the market area to ensure high levels of client satisfaction.
• Monitoring Contracts and Service Level Agreements.

Administration:

• Adheres to all company policies, procedures and business ethics codes and ensures that they are communicated and implemented within the team.
• Ensures that all legal contracts are signed and archived.

Budgets Managed:

• Eastgate Shopping Centre
• Marketing & Brand: R14m
• Marketing CAPEX: R5m
• Development Marketing: R1m
• Total: R20m

Sandton City Shopping Centre:

• Marketing & Brand: R10,3m
• Marketing Capex: R15,9m (Christmas Décor, Protea Court Launch)
• Development marketing budget: R2m 
• Total: R28,2m

Nelson Mandela Square
Total Marketing & Brand: R6.3m

Sandton City Capex - even though had left the centre when roll-out of the launch was executed, was directly responsible for the management of the tender processes for both Capex projects, from preparing briefs (the Sandton City Gold Standard was borne from my brief), to briefing agencies, to managing the presentations, to adjudicating on the Adjudication Committee, to managing every step of administration in line with Procurement policies, to the final selection of the awarded agency.

Overseeing strategic planning, funding, Franchisor liaison and Marketing.

Strategy:
Saicom Payphones generated +\- R250m VODACOM CST airtime exclusively due to Saicom Marketing strategies modified to increase CST brand and business opportunity awareness.
Marketing & Brand strategy – positioning, marketing and distribution of:
Saicom Payphones brand: differentiating, positioning, marketing the Saicom Payphone brand, using competitor benchmarking and analysis.
Handset brands including Psitek products - Adondo - Tier 1 pre-paid voice & virtual voucher vending unit; Jembi – Saicom’s exclusive Tier 2 payphone pre-paid voice & virtual voucher vending unit; Kazang – pre-paid electricity voucher vending unit.
Providing marketing support for product development projects with key manufacturers. Compiling and producing user manuals and developing go-to-market strategies for said products.
Application and management of budgetary resource of R10m toward successful implementation of ABL, BTL and OTL brand campaign strategies.
ABL – utilisation of advertising agency, production suppliers, The Citizen, Daily Sun, 32 Caxton community newspapers, SABC African Language radio stations, independent magazines (Vuvuzela, Stokvel Times), weekly regional road shows.
BTL – direct channel - campaign and generic branding of 17 Saicom Customer Care Units; indirect channel branding of 120+ dealers and FMCG (Masscash) network.
Human resources: Motivation and performance management of subordinates to ensure maximum output. Weekly staff meetings, monthly performance reviews with the objective of managing departmental targets and objectives, salary increments and performance bonuses.
Profit & loss reporting on brand campaigns. Analysing and monitoring brand performance. Implementing strategy amendments in line with overall organisational objectives.
Re-aligning strategy to create indirect distribution channels which resulted in a supply agreement with Masscash and brought in 120+ additional independent dealers.
Negotiating and direct management of out-sourced ABL and BTL suppliers, resulting in 25 – 30% saving on production and media costs.
Liaison with cellular networks (Vodacom, Cell C) to manage joint campaigns, provision of POS material.
Relationship management with business partners (networks Vodacom, Cell C), suppliers – advertising agency, media houses, production suppliers; clients – Masscash (Massmart C&C division).

Operational:
Saicom Payphones internal & external brand custodian. Ensuring that C.I. standards are adhered to within all business parameters and that brand representation is at its optimum.
Preparation, implementation and management of an effective national marketing strategy to include above-, below- and on-line media, CRM and Business Development.
Preparation and management of marketing budgets.
Inception, development and management of above & below-the-line advertising campaigns. To include national and community press, radio, promotion events & roadshows, e-marketing, direct marketing campaigns, external branding.
Website – design, development and management. See www.saicom.co.za
Media negotiation, buying and direct relationship management – e.g., with NAB, The Citizen, Daily Sun, SABC AL Radio Stations, Media Shop, independent magazine publications.
Advertising agency and branding production supplier management.
Procurement, production and stock management branding and POS material for 17 Saicom Customer Care Units, corporate and dealer networks.
Public relations – national branch promotions, road shows, internal events.
Introduction and pilot phases of new product offerings.
Market intelligence - track and monitor competitor activities to ensure that the latest market trends are known and company product offerings remain relevant and competitive.
Management of marketing relationship with cellular networks – Vodacom and Cell C.
Corporate Social Investment.

Business Development /Channel Relationship Management:
Identification of potential dealership opportunities through corporate and trader (cellular and general dealers) partners in order to increase Saicom’s distribution footprint.
Channel relationship management of corporate partners (e.g., Masscash).
CRM - segmentation of dealer base (corporate & general traders) and subsequent preparation, marketing and monitoring dealer and retail incentives per segment.
Provision of marketing support for new trade networks.
Budget Managed: R4.5m

Advertising / Public Relations / Promotions

• Acquisition of market intelligence to establish most effective marketing media.
• Preparation, implementation and management effective above- and below-the-line advertising, direct marketing and PR strategies.
• Preparation, implementation and management of Critical Path Schedules for all mass media advertising.
• Media negotiation, buying and relationship management.
• Ad agency / studio relationship management.
• Preparation and management of marketing budgets.
• Track and monitor competitor activities to ensure that the latest market trends are known and company product offerings remain relevant and competitive.
• Procurement and relationship management of print, mailing and production service providers.
• Planning and execution of PR events.
• Corporate Social Investment.

Customer Relationship Management

• Preparation, implementation and management of CRM strategy for acquisition, retention and extension of Jumbo Cash and Carry client base.
• Segmentation of customer base; subsequent strategy, execution and management of purchase options and benefits relevant to each segment.
• Export trade - consistent telesales communication to foreign traders of product deals relevant to that country.
• Direct marketing budget preparation, strategy and implementation.
• Customer service.

Business Development

• Identify opportunities for expansion of local and export business portfolio.
• Recruitment of traders to and subsequent management of Banner Groups: monthly meetings, driving sales & margin targets; liaison with Procurement for product deals & availability; promotional innovations - supplier contribution to marketing, provision of SETA-accredited training.
• Traders recruitment: achieving monthly recruitment targets through segmentation of Gauteng high density (township/CBD) market; identification & recruitment of potential traders within these markets.
• Manage & motivate Marketing and Business Development staff.

• Budget Managed: R4m

• A.I.T. Distribution:
• Official distributor & marketer of HP, Compaq, Dell, A-Tec, Acer PC’s, laptops, printers & peripherals for Zimbabwe.
• Maxifix Electrical:
• Official distributor & marketer of LG cellphones & appliances, AIWA appliances & Aftron range of goods for Zimbabwe as well as a major provider of GSM- payphone services.
• A.T.D. Trade & Distribution:
• Official distributor & marketer of Simonsvlei Wines, Alberto Culver hair-care products; in-house detergent brands.
• Scope of Work Done:

Brands:

• Simonsvlei Wines: license to distribute Simonsvlei wines into Zimbabwe. Brand positioning, go-to-market strategies comprising product launch, endorsement contracts, major music concerts, advertising campaigns. Still available.
• In-house Power Bright detergents brand (competing local brand to Sunlight & Handy Andy). Product development (trend and gap analysis), go-to-market strategy comprising product launch, branding, marketing and distribution.
• TCB Hair Products (Alberto Culver) – go-to-market strategy comprising product launch, ABL campaigns. Still available.
• Maxibooth: phone shop concept involving payphone and pre-paid airtime dispensing. Design, commission and marketing of phone booth product and service offering. Still operating.

Marketing:

• Effectively manage marketing budgets for any given financial period for each company in the group to ensure that the organization attains desired profit levels with optimal resource allocation and utilization.
• Manage and draw up a communication plan with the advertising agency (DDH&M – an affiliate of J Walter Thompson) to ensure that the stated communication objectives of the overall marketing plan are effectively met.
• Design, commission and manage market research survey and summaries for strategic development purposes for market segmentation, preparation of marketing plans and strategy development as and when necessary.
• Develop and manage internal & joint-campaign promotional activity for each organization.
• Develop and manage product & service launches.
• Manage issues / activities pertaining to Public Relations to ensure that the organization maintains a positive image and the market is well informed of current products and any strategic developments.
• Formulation of smart partnerships and promotional activities with software vendors, ISP providers and retailers.
• Track and monitor competitor activities to ensure that the latest market trends are known and company product offerings remain relevant and competitive.
• Procurement of the best possible value for all production work done on behalf of the Group to ensure maximum control and quality of work.

Business Development:

• To identify IT hardware supply opportunities within the corporate trade, cold call, initiate contact, refer Sales division to interested Corporates; assist with relationship management thereafter. Serviced Barclays Bank, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

Positions held:

• Group Marketing Manager (Makro Zimbabwe) July 2002 – August 2003 
• Advertising & Liquor Merchandise Manager (Makro Zimbabwe) January 2001 – May 2002 
• Liquor Category Manager (Makro Harare) February 2000 – December 2000

Marketing Manager

• Planning, layout and flighting of all of Makro Zimbabwe’s Press Advertising with Ad Agency (an affiliate of J Walter Thompson).
• Responsible for scripting, production and flighting of Makro Zimbabwe’s Radio and in-store audio advertising.
• Responsible for the design and marketing of the Makro Zim website.
• Management of marketing & community responsibility-based schemes.
• Management of charity projects.
• Co-coordinating in-store & outside, Public Relations events. 
• Regular work-groups with Executive Management, to establish cohesive marketing strategies at Group management level.
• Regular liaison with Procurement Department to discuss product selection and marketing thereof.
• Customer care & liaison.

Liquor Merchandise Manager

• Procurement (local & external) – deal (price) negotiations of the right product, at the right time (seasonal), and promotion to the right market (trade &/or end user). Management of divisional sales & margin budgets: – by ensuring that KVI’s (fast moving lines) are procured from deal to deal and marketed to trade markets to ensure bulk purchases.
• Overseeing Liquor Buyers and national management of local and imported liquor procurement for Makro Zimbabwe.
• Management of national procurement & sales budgets.
• Margin control.
• National stock-holding management.
• National range reviews.
• Managing national liquor promotional activity.
• National Supplier contract negotiation & management.
• Makro / Supplier business reviews.
• Regular market price analysis.

Assistant Vehicle Sales Manager
May 1999 – December 1999

• Valuation, service selling and acquisition of light & heavy vehicles from companies & individuals for auction sale on commission.
• Preparation of auction sales, i.e., lots, ticketing and buyer deposits. 
• Vehicle sale transactions, and cashing up.
• Client liaison.
• Write-up and fortnightly distribution of Company Prospectus to target sections of the business sector, and subsequent follow-ups.
• Scripting and presentation of ABCs Auctions Live at Five radio programme.
• Write-up & distribution of company newsletters

Personal Assistant to General Manager
January 1998 – April 1999

• Preparation of auction sale agreements, typing of general correspondence and other secretarial duties.
• Preparation of machinery cheque payments to clients, and maintenance of relevant files.
• Write-up & flighting of auction sale notices for Press Advertising in the Classifieds.
• Scripting and presentation of ABCs Auctions Live at Five radio programme.
• Client liaison.

Secretarial support to the G.P.M., Sales & Procurement Department