Merchandise Licensing Director (Brand / Retail / Product) – Johannesburg, South Africa

Reference Number: FDSMLD01

Job Description:

An international sporting client of ours is currently looking for a talented Merchandise Licensing Director for South Africa. The Merchandise Licensing Director is responsible for creating, maintaining and growing the licensing programs. The individual needs strong negotiating & sales skills to bring in profitable licenses that fit various brand portfolios and build cohesive strategies to ensure a total brand statement tailored to specific objectives. Will be responsible for planning and building a forecast and meeting set profit goals. The position entails that at any given moment; individual has a clear view of every license agreement from legal, accounting and product approval and follows up with activity for the life of a contract.

Responsibilities:

• Identify regional partners to develop Africa e-commerce platforms to support retail objectives.
• Development of a regional merchandising strategy to support the growth of retail channels in priority markets.
• Identify and coordinate key licensees and accounts to support the roll out of branded destinations i.e. pop-up stores and events.
• Work with licensees and agents to develop merchandise for GMG.
• Manage licensees and agents through product development cycle - from development of creative briefs, obtaining legal clearances, to final execution and production.
• Negotiate categories, product selection, minimum guarantees, royalty rates, payment terms and territory with licensees, to achieve strong margins and competitive price points at retail.
• Ensure that licensed merchandise resonates with fans by extrapolating key values and themes from the brand and its programming and translating that into merchandise by clearly articulating program requirements to licensees and agents.
• Stay current on market trends and competition and bring new ideas that will enhance product offering and provide a competitive edge in the marketplace that delivers on the mission to be ground-breaking and innovative.
• Independently lead, manage, and supervise licensees. Maintain and grow licensing programs and initiatives.
• Analyze every aspect of our licensing program and maximize every category that makes sense for the brand initiatives.
• Negotiate and approve merchandise and promotional deals, while overseeing all aspects of business terms from inception to end of contract term.
• Initiate programs by tying together licensees, retailers, distributors, promotional partners and entertainment initiatives which result in a total concept that is successfully tailored and executed for the international market.
• Solve licensing issues in a creative and non-confrontational way; maintain a solution-oriented approach to conflicts.
• Ensure that licensees comply with all the terms and conditions of our relationship. Oversee partner contractual compliance.
• Maintain verbal and written rapport with international contacts to ensure effective and explicit communication. Some examples would include regular day to day e-mail, scheduled conference calls, newsletters, information updates, travel and constantly encouraging cooperation among agents and licensees.
• Follow up with internal legal department on coordination of deal memos, contracts, amendments, legal notices and termination.
• Coordinate and follow up with internal accounting department on credit approvals, invoices, royalty reporting, late payment notifications and audits.
• Correspond with the product approval team in cases where particular licensee is having trouble with our process or there is a problem that can lead to low sales or late launch of product.
• Regularly communicate with various internal contacts to ensure our licensing programs are aligned; provide or request support when necessary.
• Represent the organisation at trade shows, meetings and summits which require travel.
• Provide licensees with opportunities and ideas for possible co-branding or distribution possibilities.
• Create and update relevant power points tailored for specific agents, licensees and prospective licensees use and information.
• Review new licensing proposals and make recommendations to senior management.
• Oversee financial and market analysis, due diligence, and legal review of potential new licensing opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Assist with strategic analysis of market trends and competition.
• Support key licensees in retail meetings.
• Coordinate with the retail and marketing teams to plan retail assortments, solicit performance and consumer feedback to aid in future product development, and develop exclusive merchandise such as premiums for 3rd parties.
• Receive and review final samples from all licensees.
• Supply licensees with useful information regarding the organisation news, key initiatives taking place in their market, relevant information/designs from other licensees, etc.
• Help to develop & execute the merchandising concepts inside retail locations and including concept shops/ stores or ecommerce sites.
• Create synergies with marketing and TV partners as well as grassroots events in which licensees can participate and that drive awareness for our licensed products.
• Collaborate regularly with GMG US team to develop creative ideas and new business opportunities.
• Monitor co-op marketing funds and provide recommendations on how to maximize expenditures on behalf of both licensee and retail community in driving long-term growth of product initiative.
• Build and manage premiums as part of new and renewed Marketing Partnership agreements.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing or related discipline.
• At least 8 years’ experience in category, product and/or brand management.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of current market trends in licensing, the competitive landscape, retail and licensing terms.
• Strong understanding of sponsorship activation including events, media, marketing rights, content, etc.
• Excellent presentation skills, including the ability to lead discussions and interact with senior executives (internally and externally).
• Strong financial and analytical skills; ability to create internal and external reports.
• Ability to forecast issues in projects, troubleshoot, and problem solve with internal constituents and external partners.
• A minimum of conversational French language skills preferred.

If you wish to apply for the position, please send your CV to Fabio Da Silva Faria at [email protected]

Please visit www.caglobalint.com for more exciting opportunities.

Fabio Da Silva Faria

Executive Senior Recruitment Consultant

Banking, Finance & Information Technology

CA Global

CA Global will respond to short-listed candidates only. If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful however your CV will be kept on our database for any other suitable positions.

CA Global Headhunters is an international staffing company with a specific focus on recruitment in Africa. Our extensive, diverse candidate network built up over 10 years comprises the most skilled and experienced candidates. We recruit talent of the highest standards across African sectors, including Mining, Oil & Gas, Engineering, Banking, Finance, Legal, Insurance, Commodities, and Agriculture. As African markets continue to grow and develop, so too does our skill and expertise, ensuring that we deliver the best service to both clients and candidates.

Thanks to our access to global networks and resources, we understand our clients’ cultures, operations, business strategies, and industries. We are always on par with the latest technologies and trends which assist us in sourcing the best talent for clients. Whatever stage of the project lifecycle, we can put forward the right candidates with the right skills.