Our client is one of East Africa’s leading FMCG companies, manufacturing and marketing a diverse portfolio across edible oils & fats, beverages, foods & snacks, personal care, home care, and animal feeds. They are looking for three Category Leads (Marketing) to champion growth and brand performance across different product divisions.

Each Category Lead will be responsible for developing and executing the marketing strategy for their assigned division — shaping portfolio direction, driving brand growth, strengthening trade activation, and deepening consumer engagement across Kenya and regional markets. This is a strategic and hands-on role that combines analytical strength, commercial acumen, and creativity to deliver meaningful business results in a competitive FMCG environment. You’ll have the autonomy to define strategy, the platform to scale impact, and the opportunity to build brands that are loved by millions of households every day.

1. Category Strategy & Planning

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  Develop and implement annual marketing plans aligned with business growth and profitability goals.

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  Identify consumer, category, and channel growth opportunities across traditional and modern trade.

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  Translate insights and trends into actionable marketing and trade activation plans.

2. Brand Management & Communication

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  Define brand positioning and oversee communication strategies across ATL, BTL, and digital platforms.

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  Lead 360° campaigns that drive awareness, preference, and differentiation.

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  Ensure packaging, messaging, and storytelling align with each brand’s positioning and target audience.

3. Trade & Channel Activation

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  Design and execute trade and in-store activation programs to strengthen visibility and conversion.

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  Collaborate with the Sales and Route-to-Market (RTM) teams to optimize channel performance.

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  Measure ROI and enhance the efficiency of trade investments and promotions.

4. Innovation & Portfolio Development

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  Support new product development and innovation projects, from concept to launch.

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  Partner with R&D, Supply Chain, and Sales to ensure successful go-to-market execution.

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  Track and evaluate post-launch performance to guide future innovation priorities.

5. Data & Performance Management

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  Monitor brand health, market share, pricing, and volume performance using dashboards and market data.

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  Use insights to refine marketing mix, pricing, and investment decisions.

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  Prepare regular category performance reviews and reports for leadership.

Requirements

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  Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.

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  CIM qualification or MBA is an added advantage.

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  5–8 years in FMCG marketing, with at least 3 years in brand or category management.

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  Proven success in managing brands or categories in any of the following sectors:

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  Edible Oils & Fats:
  Experience with cooking oils, margarines, or food staples.

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  Beverages:
  Exposure to juices, carbonated drinks, water, or functional beverages.

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  Foods & Snacks:
  Background in noodles, cereals, snacks, or convenience foods.

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  Strong understanding of both traditional and modern trade dynamics in Kenya and East Africa.

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  Solid analytical, commercial, and execution skills, with experience managing agencies and budgets.