Brand Manager - Gum

Job Description:

Brand Manager – Gum: Mars Snacking, Nairobi Kenya

As a Brand Manager – Gum at Mars Snacking, you will be the brand and portfolio custodian driving our Gum strategy and marketing execution across Middle East and Africa (MEA), with a dedicated focus on iconic priority brands like Orbit and Juicy Fruit. Acting as a strategic brand lead, you will shape portfolio growth, steer full-funnel innovation from inception to launch alongside our Nairobi manufacturing hub, and deliver high-impact, culturally resonant consumer campaigns that drive household penetration and market share.

What are we looking for?

• Experience & Industry Background: At least 3 to 4 years of proven brand management experience, ideally within a multinational Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (CPG/FMCG) environment.

• Regional Market Insight: In-depth commercial experience across the African continent, with broader Middle East and Africa exposure considered a strong plus.

• Innovation & Analytical Acumen: Demonstrated hands-on track record of delivering end-to-end innovation pipelines—grounded in shopper insights, consumer data, and sound financial metrics.

• Education & Communication: A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Master’s degree is advantageous), with full professional fluency in both English and Swahili.

• Collaborative Leadership: A results-oriented professional with strong storytelling ability and agency steering capabilities, adept at leading cross-functional teams across complex matrix organizations.

What would be your key responsibilities?

• Brand Strategy & Portfolio Growth: Lead short- and long-term brand strategy for our Gum portfolio, analyzing market share, category dynamics, and whitespace opportunities to accelerate business growth.

• End-to-End Innovation Pipeline: Shape and deliver an agile 3-year innovation pipeline, balancing breakthrough local innovation from our Nairobi plant with European launches tailored to regional consumer palates.

• Culturally Resonant Marketing & Comms: Develop powerful, omnichannel brand campaigns and media plans in close collaboration with agency partners and content teams to ensure top-tier ROI and brand love.

• Integrated Business Planning & Pricing: Partner closely with Strategic Revenue Management (SRM) on price/pack architecture, and lead cross-functional activity teams to ensure flawless on-ground launch execution and post-launch reviews.

• Global & Regional Alignment: Serve as the key link with regional MEA and Global Gum teams, ensuring brand guidelines, marketing codes, and communication pipelines are seamlessly integrated.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.