Assistant Brand Manager Job Description

Brand managers are essential to the success of some large companies.

Companies with separate brands treat each brand like a small business that is run by a brand manager or a brand management team, which usually includes an assistant brand manager. An assistant brand manager is expected to manage, develop and participate in various aspects of the business that directly and indirectly contribute to a brand's competitiveness and overall success. He must demonstrate analytic, creative and leadership skills as well as a strong educational background in sales or marketing. An MBA and multiple years of sales-related experience are preferred among employers for applicants to such positions.

Business Model

Brand managers have the opportunity to work closely with employees.

A company with brand management positions is structured so every brand owned by that firm is managed as a separate entity. This particular business model allows for a great deal of effort to be focused into the success of a single brand, and often facilitates a high level of competition among brands--sometimes even those owned and produced by the same firm. A group of employees work under the supervision and direction of a brand manager, whose limited role within the overall structure of the firm allows him to concentrate on every facet which contributes to the brand's overall success, from production to marketing, finance to distribution.

Function of the Brand Manager

Large conglomerates are often comprised of multiple brands.

While the role of a brand manager varies widely depending on the type of product(s), size of the parent firm, and numerous other factors, it is generally true that a brand management position is much like running a small business. The brand manager is responsible for everything that goes on with regard to his particular brand: He must be conscious of the competitive landscape surrounding the product(s) the brand represents and work to develop and implement effective marketing strategies based on this landscape. A large company's senior management relies upon its brand managers to create and maintain a competitive edge that will ensure the overall success of the company.

Function of the Assistant Brand Manager

Brand managers and their assistants work closely together and with others.

In a large firm, the brand manager can be faced with a great deal of responsibility; in the case that a particular brand is too large to be successfully managed by any one individual, an assistant brand manager may be appointed to optimize the success of the company. The assistant brand manager performs many of the same functions of the brand manager, for whom versatility and the ability to mutitask are extremely important. An assistant brand manager can expect to have a number of responsibilities across departments, and to help the brand manager in making decisions that will contribute to the success of the brand's competitiveness on the market. This requires knowledge of everything from production to marketing and distribution.

Training and Qualifications

An educated brand manager has a higher likelihood of success.

Brand management positions are considered to be part of the marketing function of a company, so an ideal candidate for one of these positions will likely have education and/or experience focused in sales and advertising. Great brand managers and assistant managers are results-oriented with strong analytical, creative and leadership skills. Since these positions require a high level of versatility, companies look for individuals who have demonstrated success in a variety of fields. Communication skills and teamwork are also essential to a brand manager or assistant manager's success because of his responsibility to be knowledgeable of every aspect of the brand he is managing. Typically, applicants are required to have a combination of professional experience and higher education that relates to the brand and/or its management.

Job Outlook and Opportunities

Brand management positions are expected to grow.

Brand management is essentially a marketing function, and the field of marketing is expected to grow faster than average during the next four to five years. An increasing amount of competition, both domestic and international, supports job sustainability. Almost every large corporation utilizes a corporate model that divides the various brands into smaller, microcosmic "businesses" of their own, and more smaller companies are beginning to employ similar systems. Since brand management and assistant brand management positions usually require education as well as experience, it is recommended that someone with these career goals who is seeking an entry-level position look for work as a marketing analyst or assistant. With this experience and an MBA, the likelihood of acquiring a position as an assistant brand manager is much greater.

References

• Brand Management Careers, Jobs, and Training Information
• Brand Management