Marketing Manager

About us

We are Auckland-based grocery retailer specialising in Sri Lankan food and grocery products. We aim to introduce these products to a wider New Zealand audience, making their flavours, quality and everyday uses accessible to customers from all communities. We are an Immigration New Zealand accredited employer.

We are seeking a Marketing Manager to lead this growth through market research, brand development, customer education and retail and digital marketing, while strengthening relationships with our existing customers. Learn more at www.kandygrocer.co.nz.

About the role

You will be employed and report to its Directors. You will plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate the company’s sales and marketing activities, manage its approved marketing budget and develop strategies to attract and retain customers.

The role covers retail and e-commerce business. You will work with our retail and purchasing staff, lead the marketing team, and direct external agencies and providers, within the authority delegated by the Directors.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual marketing strategy and campaign calendar, with measurable objectives for sales growth, customer acquisition and repeat purchases.
• Research customer needs, purchasing patterns and competitor activity; identify new customer segments across New Zealand’s diverse communities and recommend product positioning, promotions and growth opportunities.
• Plan and direct advertising, seasonal campaigns, product launches and community events, using recipes, tastings and product information to introduce and promote Sri Lankan products to as wide an audience as possible.
• Direct strategies to build and maintain Kandy Grocer’s image and reputation with customers, suppliers, investors and the public, maintaining consistent messaging across the store, website, social media and promotional materials.
• Develop customer loyalty and retention programmes, including targeted communications and offers, with appropriate handling of customer information.
• Prepare and manage the marketing budget; allocate campaign resources and approve expenditure within delegated limits. Monitor spending and campaign returns.
• Direct website and e-commerce marketing, social media, content production and paid advertising; use analytics to improve customer engagement and online conversion.
• Lead the marketing team of two staff, setting objectives, allocating work and reviewing performance, and brief and coordinate external agencies and suppliers, reviewing the quality and timeliness of their work.
• Direct the development and implementation of sales strategies and targets across our in-store, online and wholesale channels to maximise sales and customer loyalty, and recommend pricing and promotional strategies to the Directors, assessing their effect on revenue and margins with retail and purchasing staff.
• Report monthly to the Directors on sales, marketing expenditure, campaign results, new customer acquisition and repeat purchases, with recommendations for improvement.

What you will bring

• At least three years of relevant marketing or sales and marketing experience, with demonstrated responsibility for strategy, campaigns and results.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher (NZQCF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) in marketing, business, commerce or communications, or at least five years of relevant experience in place of a degree.
• Experience managing marketing budgets and leading staff, agencies or suppliers to deliver agreed outcomes.
• Ability to interpret market research and sales data and translate findings into practical marketing, pricing and promotional recommendations.
• Understanding of New Zealand consumers, marketing channels and relevant advertising, fair-trading and privacy requirements.
• Experience with digital marketing and analytics tools, such as Google Analytics and Meta Business Suite, and with website content management and e-commerce platforms.
• Ability to brief and review creative work, supported by working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present plans and results to the Directors.
• Ability to undertake work-related travel within Auckland, with a driver licence valid for driving in New Zealand.
• Desirable experience
• Marketing in grocery retail, food, FMCG or e-commerce, including the New Zealand market.
• Knowledge of Sri Lankan or other South Asian food products and customer preferences.
• Product photography and content planning for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

What we offer

• Responsibility for developing marketing function, with direct access to the Directors.
• A supportive team and the opportunity to contribute to the growth of our retail and online business.
• A company vehicle for work-related travel, with that travel undertaken during paid working hours.

Pay: $35.00 – $38.50 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Travel reimbursement
• Visa sponsorship

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Northcote, Auckland