Job Description:
Mars Japan - Position Document Summary
Position Title: SPT Group Manager
Division: Petcare Marketing
Location: Tokyo
Reports to: Marketing Director
Date：2023 November 14
Job Level：P1
POSITION SUMMARY
This position will be responsible to lead and manage the brands that are sold in “Specialty Pet Trade” (SPT) channel (e.g., pet shops, pet food specific shops, veterinarian). The brands are Nutro and Greenies, and they represents about 40% of total MARS Pet Nutrition business in Japan.
The position will identify opportunities beyond marketing team, and propose / implement plans to make MARS better and stronger. The person to fill the position is expected to be the strong candidate to succeed current Marketing Director.
The position develops and delivers the SPT portfolio and business strategy that can win in Japan market by leveraging deep understanding of the local consumer insight and the brands’ Global strategies with alignment of the Local, Regional and Global stakeholders. The position develops and executes innovation and brand activation by leading and collaborating with Local and Global cross-function teams through engagement.
Additionally, the position leads
- Point of entry (PoE) strategy and Puppy Kitten Program (PKP) and maximizing Life Time Value in pet parent journey through offering pain point solution services.
- Influencing to global SPT Brands’ brand strategy as Japan representative.
The position is responsible for developing and engaging direct report(s).
Needs minimum 10 years’ experience in FMCG Marketing or equivalent experience with strong achievement record. Experience in leading and collaborating with cross-functional members, leading and developing subordinates, designing new ways of working are must. Needs strong communication skill in both Japanese and English.
2. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
List (at least six) brief statements that describe what the position is required to do.
- Deliver strategy and plan of the SPT portfolio in the agreed budget to achieve the aligned business target
- Create the winning short & mid-term strategy and plan of the portfolio that rooted in deep understanding of the category and the local consumer insight; build alignment with the Global strategy and key stakeholders.
- Develop and deliver the winning propositions for the brands under the portfolio that create business building solutions.
- Co-own the CRM program with Digital Commerce team to design and deliver program / contents to engage with consumers throughout pet parenthood journey, leveraging 1st party data.
- Lead and manage innovations and activations in the portfolio with alignment of key stakeholders.
- Manage direct reports as well as contract employee and out-sourcing members.
- Develop high performing, highly engaged team. Develop direct reports’ functional and leadership competencies through supervising and coaching as future marketing leaders.
- Co-lead entire Marketing team’s engagement with other Marketing managers and Marketing Director.
- Co-create Local / Regional / Global cross functional WoW (Ways Of Working) and high work efficiency.
- Identify and propose opportunities beyond marketing team, and implement plans to make MARS better and stronger.
- Contribute to development & activation of Global marketing strategies for global brands as one of the key markets.
- Manage deliverables for the portfolio and WoW of partner agencies (Communication, Package Design, Media Strategy & Planning, BTL).
- Lead high performing collaboration as GLM(Great Line Manager) role model under MARS “5 Principles”. Demonstrate growth minded leadership as Marketing Director successor role.
3. DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY
List the key decisions that this position contributes to (use Recommend, Agree, Input, or Decide to describe the type of contribution)).
- Agree with Marketing Director /Unit Leadership Team/ Global & Regional stakeholders on the portfolio strategy, brand strategy, innovation, activation plan, PoE and CRM, digital transformation in marketing.
- Input and recommend total portfolio/data strategy and plan to the Marketing Director.
- Decide with cross functional team or external agencies on best execution of innovation, activation, PoE, CRM and digitalization in Marketing.
- Input category learning and the best practices to Regional / Global communities.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
MOST FREQUENT CONTACTS ／ FREQUENCY OF CONTACT ／ NATURE OR PURPOSE
Brand Team associates (direct reports) ／ Daily ／
To supervise brand management, execution, and daily business operation.
To coach and develop functional and leadership capabilities.
Marketing Director ／ Daily ／
To align with portfolio strategy, brand strategy and plan.
To recieve input & feedback from Total Business, Category and Global / Regional POV.
Mars Japan Cross Function Team ／ Daily ／
To discuss and align portfolio strategy, brand strategy and plan.
To co-lead team’s efficient WoW and building collaborative relationship to effectively implement the aligned plan.
Petcare Peer Marketing Managers / Marketing Director ／ As necessary base ／
To discuss and input to total Category’s business strategy, Marketing Team talent development and Engagement.
Communication, Media and Design Agencies ／ As necessary base ／
To discuss and resource, fee. To direct on development and execution.
Global Marketing, Digital Acceleration communities / Stakeholders ／ As necessary base ／
To align, provide input on brand/data strategy, innovation and activation.
As necessary base
To discuss and resource, fee. To direct on development and execution.
5. ACCOUNTABILITY DIMENSIONS
Number of Associates reporting directly to this position:
3
Number of headcounts within this position's control:
3
6. SKILLS & FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES
Strategic Agility
Business Acumen
Dealing with Ambiguity
Drive for Results
Managing Vision and Purpose
Developing Direct Reports and Others
Motivating Others
Learning agility
7. ANY OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION
- Domestic and Oversea business trip is required as necessary base
- Late night / early morning global meetings are required as necessary base
Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.
What We Do
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us.
Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’s®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, Pet Partners™, and VCA™.
We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
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