Marketing Cost Controller

Job description

[[cust_contractCBU]]inWBS FINANCE is looking for Marketing Cost Controller in Johannesburg.
With our global presence, brands and business within our mission,bringing health through food to as many people as possible; we believe that people growth is a key asset to reach a sustainable business performance. Take this opportunity to GROW together!

Job Purpose
This individual will must innovative and assertive as they need to both support and challenge top line functions from a financial point of view to ensure that targets are achieved. Business partnership with the Marketing, Exports, R&I and Sales Strategy teams to build models and analyse complex P&L for innovations and renovations. Make recommendations on business optimization/investment.
Monitor budgets vs. actuals spend and challenge the spend efficiency and adequation to the Marketing strategy. Assist the team in identifying cost optimisation initiatives.

Key Areas of Responsibility
Strategic Management

·  Support the Marketing Director and Senior team in developing the Marketing strategy and assessing Commercial viability of these strategies locally and for exports
·  Lead the financial evaluation of new product launches
·  Provide insightful recommendation based Profitability, brand, product and S&I insights
·  Develop creative solutions to enhance marketing proposals
·  Analyze and make recommendations on business optimization and investment opportunities in consultation with other functions to maximize profitability
·  Ensure that all Marketing spend is aligned to the company and Group strategy
·  Provide guidance, support and recommendations to ensure that that KPI’s are met

Financial Analysis

·  Providing management with in depth analysis of business results versus targets and recommendations for appropriate actions where necessary
·  Profitability calculation on all innovations and renovations and it impact on the Brand and Company
·  Monitor the progress of innovation KPI’s post launch and highlight risk and opportunities to the Financial Director and Marketing Director
·  Business Planning owner of CO by brand and pack size: Working closely with Commercial Controller and COGS Business Planners to maintain brand and pack size CO profitability
·  Implement mechanisms and tools to facilitate the measurement of CO by brand by Month
·  Provide support and clarity on the Marketing spend by analysis
·  Investment recommendation to the current business in order to maximize profitability

Financial Planning and Management

CODEV (Product development, Innovation)

·  Work closely with the Marketing team and R&I team on the management of various projects
·  Intermediate between SSD, R&D, Marketing and Commercial teams to ensure consistency and clarity of presentations to the CODEV
·  Prepare business profitability analysis and scenario analysis and recommendation
·  Monitor and manage write-offs costs
·  Work closely with Marketing Director and Project leads to prioritize projects and keep all teams focused

Forecasting

·  Consolidate all inputs into a Marketing Forecast that is accurate and aligned
·  Build Forecasts and Estimates for Marketing spend by Brand and spend type
·  Quantify and highlight all risks and opportunities
·  Ensuring that the forecasted spend is in line with company strategy

Management of Spend
Manage and maintain the company financials to ensure that targets are met
Custodian of the PO approval process for Marketing
Month end closing and variance analysis Actual vs. PY/ Forecast/ Latest Estimate
Discuss all variances with Marketing Managers

Reporting

·  Preparing of Forecast and other presentations to be communicated to Directors, Zone, and Head
·  On time Monthly Magnitude reporting: Marketing and brand related
·  Complete all reports for zone reporting
·  Assisting Head of Finance to manage the full company equation by assisting to prepare mid-month Zone forecasts and prepare Zone call packs for month end flash calls.

Other

·  Responsible for all Financial local and Group initiated projects for marketing.
·  Support the Commercial, Marketing and R&L team on Brand projects

Academic and Trade Qualification

·  BCom (Finance/Accounting) or CIMA or Other relevant qualification.
·  5 years experience.
·  BCom Honours, Innovation/Renovation experience and Business planning experience would be advantageous

Work Experience

·  In-depth professional knowledge and experience of Marketing and Innovation in FMCG
·  Should ideally have worked for a multinational company
·  Strategic planning
·  Budget building and controlling experience
·  Project Management
·  Commercial savvy
·  Advanced Excel skills
·  Build costing models

Personal and Behavioural Characteristics

·  Strategic vision
·  Innovative thinking / Out of the box: Creative in setting up proper/best cross-functional procedures
·  Deadline driven, prioritization
·  Autonomous & energetic
·  Pro-active
·  Strong interpersonal skills - ability to challenge at all levels.
·  Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
·  Problem solving and solution orientated
·  Clear communicator verbal & written
·  Pragmatic, technical and concrete. Take actions and achieve results.
·  Drive and ambition
·  Analytical thinking
·  Strong Influencing skills
·  Enthusiastic with a can-do attitude

For more information about Danone, its people and its business, please visit danone.com We have something special inside, do you?
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