My current role at Luxottica South Africa entails the development, implementation and reporting of multiple Trade Marketing projects across several brands namely Ray-Ban, Oakley and Vogue as well as the day-to-day requests from Reps/Agents and store owners. Although based in South Africa, my portfolio extends across the border to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Seychelles.

I oversee the briefing of two external designers as well the supervision of two Trade Marketing Specialists within my team; ensuring that the Luxottica range of Eyewear receives prime retail space within our retailers while maintaining our Global Corporate Guidelines.

I manage the Trade Marketing budget which is in excess of R10-million and report thereon. I am responsible for placing international POS orders via our international channel and well as developing locally produced POS for instore focus. I have represented the company abroad as well as regionally where I have developed a high level of professionalism, integrity and dedication to my role.

The following are some of the competencies I offer:
• Strong managerial, organisational and oversight skills, I expertly mentor and direct my team of subordinates to ensure effective and timeously solutions are implemented supporting us our customers and sales team on their sell-out efforts. Due to the varying set of skills of each staff member and level of professional expertise, I work with each to promote their strengths and provide opportunities to learn and grow.
• As a keen negotiator, I work with third-party providers to ensure timely service delivery at competitive costs.
My attached resume will provide a more complete overview of my experience and accomplishments. However, what it may not show is that I am a self-motivated individual, who is able to perform well under pressure, manage multiple projects concurrently and who can bring to the table solid capabilities matched with the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that I make a success of it.

Personal strengths and values
– Highly motivated, results-orientated woman; a people person with strong communication skills and proven success in organizations.
– A Marketing specialist with a strong conceptual thinker with thorough planning and field execution skills.
– I value integrity, communication, personal and organizational growth, health and community. I am a natural hard worker with a ‘can-do’ attitude and attention to detail. I set high standards for myself, a problem solver who understands the big picture, yet can analyse and manage details effectively.

Education and Training

Year Matriculated 1991
Last School Attended Randpark High School, Gauteng

Academic Qualification

1992 Public Relations & Secretarial Diploma Kelly-Greenoaks Business College
2011 Short Learning Programme – Project Management Varsity College
Oct 2012 – Jan 2013 UCT Internet Marketing Course GetSmarter

Employment History

Luxottica SA Observatory, Cape Town
Luxottica produces and distributes sun and prescription eyewear of high technical and stylistic quality to improve the well-being and satisfaction of its customers and at the same time create value for employees and the communities in which the Group operates. Every collection, every pair of glasses, is the result of an ongoing process of research and development whose aim is to anticipate and interpret the needs, desires and aspirations of consumers all over the world.

Trade Marketing Manager (October 2013 – current)
As Trade Marketing Manager my key role is to elevate in-store brand presence across multiple retail channels. Drive customer/retail value by leveraging trade marketing mechanics and developing high impact and effective in-store solutions, campaigns and promotions that grow brand awareness, increase volumes and aid with sell through of product.

Major accountabilities and measurement:
– Lead and develop the Trade Marketing Strategy and team to achieve defined business objectives
– Responsible for forecasting, development, execution, and performance of all initiatives designed to increase presence at POS
– Manage, implement and evaluate in store trade promotions to achieve maximum returns
– Manage, develop strategy, direct and coordinate visual merchandising field team
– Formulation of merchandising strategies (space, location, branding, fixtures, visual merchandising)
– Development of trade marketing calendars
– Manage the national trade and POS budget process
– Management of corporate events, buying days, conferences throughout the calendar year
– Total Point of Sale (POS) coordination: from planning, procurement, to delivery in market, ensuring the correct POS is received at customers at the right time
– Control processes and functions that relate to production
– Improve production’s budget performance through improving net profit and controlling costs
– Interact with the creative process to help drive and meet deadlines
– Produce detailed timing schedules and critical paths
– Sourcing of new suppliers and negotiation of discounts
– Keeping up with technology and suggesting alternative solutions
– Understand Point of Purchase, and POP drivers
– Ability to work in collaboration with customers
– Understanding of competitor and market dynamics
– Segmentation, evaluation of existing retail environment

New Holland Publishing Gardens, Cape Town
A division of Media Empire Times Media, MapStudio is the major producer and distributor of maps in Africa, including street guides, wall maps, adventure guides and globes.

Marketing Manager – MapStudio (September 2012 – September 2013)
Primarily responsible for the strategic direction of the company’s marketing plan at a senior management level and the overseeing of the day-to-day marketing activities in all channels, including the company’s retail outlets.

My role focused on the following areas:
– Strategic Marketing: Spearhead and develop the overall strategic quarterly marketing plans
– Digital/E.Marketing: Manage several digital channels including overall high-level strategy for company website and eCommerce platforms including integration of social media platforms with offline activities
– Creation of monthly eNewsletters keeping readers up-to-date of upcoming new titles, launches, and competitions.
– ATL, BTL, POS
– CRM – Strategic contact for main business accounts.
Reason for leaving: Uncertainty within the business. Holding company has put the business unit up for sale.

Falke Eurosocks Bellville, Cape Town
A privately held German Group of Companys operating in South Africa since 1974. Falke South Africa manufactures socks, fine hosiery, texterised yarns and commission dying of yarns. At the time Falke was recognised as the largest sock manufacture in South Africa.

Brand Manager (June 2009 – April 2012)
My role focused on the following key areas:
– The strategic development of annual brand and marketing plans in partnership with the Marketing Manager.
– The strategic planning, formulating and implementation of marketing efforts across several channels namely production, sales programs, advertising, promotion, research, distribution and package development.
– Research and analyzing international and local trends for new product development
– Seasonal range plan presentation to external stakeholders.
– Spearheaded negotiations with external vendors including POS.
– Annual pricing reviews and negotiations with external stakeholders.
– Development of marketing and promotional material.
– Briefing external Advertising and Public Relations.
– Attending exhibitions and conferences to promote Falke.
– Internal contact for contractual Sales Representative. I reported to the Marketing, Design and Sales Executive.
Reason for leaving: Limited growth opportunities.

Amway South Africa CBD, Cape Town
Corporate Communications (Mar – Jun 09) (contractual position)
Amway is an international organization of independent distributors. My role was to manage the printing of marketing material to support these distributors; being both corporate and product information.
Reason to leave: Contacted by Falke Eurosocks and offered a permanent position.

Touchline Media (Apr 05 – Jul 08) CBD, Cape Town

Marketing & Circulation Manager: Runner’s World Magazine
Key objectives of my role were to build the Runner’s World brand through an integrated marketing plan to increase circulation and subscriptions through various media channels. This entailed sourcing sponsorships, building and maintaining strategic alliances with key partners.
Major achievements:
– Maintained consistent subscriptions figures during a tough market decline.
– I was entrusted with hosting a Reader Tour to run a marathon in Brazil
– I “lived the Brand” completing, amongst others, 4 major events:
– 2008 Comrades Marathon (I was interviewed on Heart radio for Brand building)
– 2008 IronMan ultra distance Triathlon (I improved on my first time by 2 hours; to 12h36min)
– 2007 Cape Odyssey (211-km mountain trail running 5-day stage race)
– 2007 IronMan ultra distance Triathlon – this first IronMan was the hub of a 6-month multiple media marketing campaign “Road to IronMan 2007” for our advertiser Puma. I visualized this promotion, created it, sold it to the advertiser, implemented and managed the campaign. The multiple media, included weekly blogging, advertising, many editorials and sponsorship and was extremely successful for both Puma and Runner’s World Magazine.
Reason to leave: I took voluntary retrenchment

Miele (Mar 04 – Mar 05) Bryanston, Johannesburg

Functions Co-ordinator
A newly formed role established to launch, build, market and manage the Miele Fine Food Gallery as a business and venue.
Major achievements:
– Calendar of regular cooking events with celebrities.
– Launched an Art exhibition and cocktail evening.
Reason to leave: Opportunity at Touchline Media in Cape Town.

Standard Bank (Jan – Feb 04) (contract position) CBD, Johannesburg

Project Manager: Operations & Strategy
Newly formed division, my role entailed the co-ordination of internal projects across all departments.
Reason to leave: Contract completed

Hospice Association Witwatersrand (Sept 02 – Oct 03) Houghton, Johannesburg

Fundraiser & Project Co-ordinator
Responsible for the effective implementation of annual fundraising projects as well as conceptualizing, and researching new fundraising ventures.
Reason to leave: An opportunity arose back in corporate business

First National Bank (Feb – Aug 02) CBD, Johannesburg

Project Co-ordinator
Co-ordinate a range of projects and assist and support the communication on major internal
projects between Business Segment Heads, Marketing and Branch Managers.
Reason to leave: I decided that I wanted to help raise funds for the less fortunate and joined Hospice.
McKinsey & Company (Apr 99 – Jan 02) Sandton, Johannesburg

Due to my desire to continue learning and growing I was promoted through several roles at McKinsey & Company;
– Training Co-ordinator
– Professional Development Co-ordinator
– Executive Assistant
Reason to leave: Additional growth opportunities were limited for support personnel.

Group Africa Marketing (Sept 96 – Nov 98) Lanseria, Johannesburg

Client Service Senior Support
Provided support to the client service staff.
Personnel Administrator
Payroll administration (approximately 500 employees)
Reason to leave: Additional growth opportunities were limited

Apr 94 – Apr 96 Johannesburg
Traveling through the USA. I undertook various roles such as Au Pair, house-painting and house-cleaning.

LandAir Services (Jan 93 – Apr 94) Johannesburg
Stewardess for local and cross border flights into Africa.

OTHER INTERESTS
Triathlon – Completed Ironman South Africa (2007 & 2008)
Running – Completed Comrades (2008)
Trail Running – 2010 African X (three day multi-day running event)
2007 Cape Odyssey (five day multi-day running event)