Job Description

Job Title: Product Manager - Professional Products Division (PPD)
Location: Woodmead, Johannesburg, South Africa
Reports to: Brand Business Manager / Marketing Manager
Division: Professional Products Division (PPD)
Role Purpose
The Product Manager is the "CEO" of their assigned brand or category within the South African market. Your mission is to define and implement the local marketing strategy to drive brand growth, market share, and profitability. You will lead the transition of the brand into a digital-first, consumer-centric powerhouse while maintaining the professional heart of the business: the hairstylists and salon owners.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Brand Planning

• Develop the annual marketing plan (MTP) and budget in alignment with the global and regional Zone strategy.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and consumer insights specific to the South African professional hair care landscape to identify growth opportunities.
• Define the brand's "Go-to-Market" strategy for new launches and pillar products, ensuring a 360-degree approach across all touchpoints.

Product & Launch Management

• Lead the end-to-end execution of product launches, from forecasting and supply chain coordination to creative localized campaigns.
• Adapt global creative assets to resonate with the diverse South African demographic, ensuring inclusivity and local relevance.
• Monitor the performance of launches and existing portfolio, proposing corrective actions where necessary.

Financial & Commercial Excellence

• Manage the A&P (Advertising & Promotion) budget with high efficiency, ensuring a strong ROI on all marketing spend.
• Oversee the brand's P&L, monitoring net sales, contribution margins, and market share (Euromonitor/internal data).
• Collaborate closely with the Sales and Commercial teams to design trade marketing activities, salon incentives, and distribution strategies.

Digital, Social & Advocacy

• Drive the digital transformation of the brand by leading "social commerce" initiatives and influencer marketing strategies.
• Partner with the Digital team to optimize the brand's presence on e-retailer platforms and professional B2B platforms.
• Build strong relationships with "Pro-Influencers" (top stylists and educators) to drive brand advocacy and authority.

Education & Salon Partnership

• Work hand-in-hand with the Education Manager to ensure that marketing campaigns are supported by robust technical training.
• Develop tools and animations that help salon owners grow their retail business and improve the "in-salon" client experience.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Education: A University degree in Marketing, Business Management, or a related field.
• Experience: 6 to 8 years of marketing experience, ideally within the FMCG, Beauty, or Luxury sectors. Experience in the South African professional or retail market is highly advantageous.
• Analytical Prowess: Ability to interpret complex data, manage P&Ls, and make data-driven decisions.
• Creative Mindset: A passion for beauty trends and the ability to think outside the box to capture consumer attention.
• Leadership: Experience in mentoring junior product managers or interns, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams (Sales, Finance, Supply Chain).
• Agility: The South African market is fast-paced; the candidate must be adaptable and resilient to change.

L'Oreal Competencies

• Entrepreneurship: You are expected to run your brand as if it were your own business.
• Innovator: You challenge the status quo and seek new ways to engage with stylists and consumers.
• Strategist: You look beyond the next quarter to build long-term brand equity.
• People Developer: You contribute to a collaborative and inclusive team culture.

Why join PPD South Africa?
South Africa is a strategic hub for L'Oreal in Africa. Joining PPD means working at the intersection of fashion, craft, and technology. You will have the opportunity to empower small businesses (salons) across the country while scaling world-class beauty brands.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition or disability. We adhere to all local Labour Relations legislation.
Closing Date: 16 January 2026

Skills Required