A prestigious African luxury fragrance house is seeking an entrepreneurial and commercially astute Market Development Manager to lead the launch, development and expansion of its brand within South Africa.
Inspired by Africa's rich culture, creativity and heritage, the fragrances are crafted to world-class standards and positioned within the premium luxury market. This is a rare opportunity for a commercially driven beauty or fragrance professional to build a brand from the ground up and establish its presence within South Africa's leading beauty and luxury retail channels.
Reporting directly to international leadership, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing the South African market strategy, securing and growing retail partnerships, driving brand visibility, optimising commercial performance and acting as the key link between the international brand team and local retail partners.
This role requires a highly connected individual with an established network within the luxury beauty, fragrance and retail sectors.
Key Responsibilities:-Retail and Commercial Development:
Develop and execute the South African market entry and growth strategy
Identify, secure and grow partnerships with leading retail groups and luxury beauty channels
Lead negotiations with retailers, distributors and strategic partners
Build strong relationships with senior decisionmakers, category managers and buying teams
Drive sales growth across all retail and wholesale channels
Brand Management and Market Expansion:
Act as the custodian of the brand within South Africa
Ensure consistent execution of brand standards across all retail touchpoints
Manage new store listings, product launches and promotional activities
Oversee merchandising, visual presentation and in-store brand visibility
Monitor market trends, competitor activities and consumer behaviour
Supply Chain and Operations:
Coordinate stock forecasting and inventory planning with international stakeholders
Oversee order management and replenishment processes
Ensure products are available in the right channels at the right time
Work closely with logistics, retail partners and distributors to support business growth
Marketing and Brand Activation:
Collaborate with marketing teams to localise global campaigns
Plan and execute luxury events, activations and launch initiatives
Identify strategic opportunities to elevate brand awareness and market positioning
Build relationships with influencers, media partners and industry stakeholders where appropriate
Commercial Performance:
Deliver sales and profitability objectives
Manage budgets, forecasts and business reporting
Analyse sales performance and recommend corrective actions where required
Present regular business reviews and growth plans to executive leadership
Requirements:
Minimum 5 years' experience gained within Top Ten Luxury fragrance houses
Proven track record of successfully managing or launching premium brands within South Africa
Existing relationships with major South African beauty and luxury retailers
Demonstrated success in business development, retail partnership management and commercial negotiations
Strong understanding of retail distribution, merchandising, inventory planning and brand execution
Excellent presentation, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on and execution focused
Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel nationally
Desired Skills:
Fragrance
Luxury
Business Development
External Sales
Premium Beauty
New store listings
Product Knowledge
Retail distribution
Market expansion
Partnership management
Desired Work Experience:
5 to 10 years
Desired Qualification Level:
Diploma