ABongile Dzai

Experience

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  Clicks Group

  Apr 2014 - Sept 2015

  Promoted ⬆️!My boss saw that I liked talking to customers and offered me the opportunity to do just that, talk to them🗣️. Supervising Shop Assistant and Cashiers, ensuring that they offer excellent customer service and encouraging them to promote the Clicks Clubcard💳. To increase customer loyalty and meet sales targets. The best part of the job was dealing with customers whilst maintaining the highest levels of excellent customer service and ensuring that everything is recorded and filled correctly. The key philosophy for this role - "The customer is always right", even though we know that is not always the case. Ego doesn't drive sales!📈 Show less

  • Customer Service Advisor

    Dec 2014 - Sept 2015

  • Shop Assistant and Cashier

    Apr 2014 - Nov 2014
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  Primedia Instore

  Oct 2015 - Feb 2018

  Promoted ⬆️!Coordinate the planning and execution of in-store media campaigns on behalf of blue-chip FMCG brands at local, regional and national levels in over 7000 retail, pharmacy, liquor and traditional retailers nationwide. Key Projects:🛠️Developing the Spar and Pick n Pay trade presenter🛠️Revamping the companies website for improved user experience🛠️Establishing of PI Innovations rewards program (initiative to reward employees for being innovative)Key Achievements:🎖️Promoted to Marketing Coordinator 🎖️Led the development and implementation of several new traditional and digital in-store media🎖️Single-handedly developed and implemented the company’s external eNewsletter for CRM initiatives Show less Believe it or not, in 2014 I went knocking at the doors of Primedia divisions CEO's, asking for the opportunity to launch my Marketing and Advertising career. Couldn't get past the PA's 👩🏼‍💻... yeah we all know the story "do you have an appointment?".In 2015 while doing my third year, I finally managed to get an audience with Primedia Instore's CEO at the time and the rest was history! Got to work on some of the most exciting instore research projects, using tools such as Eighty20, TGI, Nielsen, Scanner Data and many more📊.If I wasn't crunching up the numbers for our Sales Team, I was working closely with the Marketing Team to develop content for companies digital, social media and newsletter channels📸🖋. Show less

  • Marketing Coordinator

    Oct 2016 - Feb 2018

  • Marketing Research Intern

    Oct 2015 - Sept 2016
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  Cash Converters Southern Africa

  Mar 2018 - Jul 2018

  Local Area Marketing Campaign Manager

  Exposed to the art of integrated marketing! Leading the implementation of lead generation strategies for this international retailer🛒.The main purpose of this function was to assist over 85 franchise stores across Southern Africa with effective, targeted, cost effective and timeous Through The Line (TTL) marketing initiatives. Specific to each store, whilst adhering to Franchise brand standards and Franchisee budget constraints. Key Projects:🛠️Leading Local Area Marketing campaigns for 5 new store openings nationwide.🛠️Developing the company’s internal eNewsletter.Key Achievements:🎖️Drove over 1000 employees to the eLearning platform across Southern Africa. Show less

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  Comair Limited

  Aug 2018 - Jul 2021

  Junior Brand Manager: SLOW Lounges

  Never felt like I was working, it was a lifestyle! Imagine jetting off🛫 around the country just to taste cocktails and fine dinning cuisine🍹🍽️, meeting celebrities 📸 and attending the coolest events🎭.Supporting the Marketing Manager and General Manager, I was accountable for the growth of the SLOW brand portfolio, which consisted of four premium brands operating in the Airport Lounge, Hospitality and Restaurant industries.Key Projects:🛠️Developing and implementing the company's new digital strategy.🛠️Leading the signage replenishment project nationwide.🛠️Establishing key events such as The Serve ft Tha Muzik, Speak Easy and many more.Key Achievements:🎖️Increased social media engagement by over 30%, websites traffic by 8% and eCommerce sales by 3%.🎖️Increased membership sign up and the number of leads for our Sales Team.🎖️Took complete ownership of the Marketing function in 2020 during COVID-19, reporting directly to GM. Show less

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  Lewis Group Ltd

  Aug 2021 - Jun 2022

  Brand Manager: Best Home & Electric

  🛒Retail called and I answered📞... as usual! Working for this leading retailer of household furniture and electrical appliances with over 850 stores across Africa.I worked closely with the Marketing, Merchandise, Regional Operations teams and Agency Partners. To drive all aspects of the brand strategy, ensuring that the marketing and business objectives are met across all countries. Key Projects:🛠️Implementing the groups AV Supplier Shelving logo project in over 760 stores across Africa.🛠️Launching Best Home & Electric's new logo at group level and in all 143 stores across Africa.🛠️Implementing 7 new store opening across South Africa and Namibia🛠️Leading the groups key digital innovation projects portfolio, to design great user experiences and increase lead generationKey Achievements:🎖️Saved the business over R14 million through implementing cost reduction measures and negotiating better rates🎖️Increased lead acquisition by over 3% by establishing new digital channels🎖️Achieved 37% increase on YOY revenue generated during the 2021 Black Friday campaign period🎖️Increased social media leads by 61% during my first 6 months, compared to the past 6 months Show less

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  Bravo Brands

  Jul 2022 - Jan 2023

  Brand Manager: Lounge Division

  Led by the vision to "consumirize" the lounge furniture industry through consumer centric marketing strategies that drive brand insistence. Worked on trusted household brands such as Alpine, La-Z-Boy, Grafton Everest and Gommagomma.Leading the implementation of the brand and trade marketing strategy by supporting the Divisional Marketing Manager and Group Strategic Marketing Director. Working in close collaboration with Sales, Operations, third-party suppliers and Agencies.Key Projects:🛠️Led the product imagery audit and new product photoshoots for over 300 products 🛠️Launched the Kramerville Mattress Gallery 🛠️Developed key store-in-store concepts for 8 flagship stores nationwideKey Achievements:🎖️Managed, mentored, and developed 5 Brand Experience Consultants to meet sales targets🎖️Executed a sales incentive program generating over R50 million in 6 weeks Show less

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  Tiger Brands

  Feb 2023 - now

  Brand Manager: Albany Bakeries

  🗣️“FMCG Speed AB!” That’s what my past manager 'Stef' used to say during crunch time. Finally got to experience the ’FMCG’ speed he was referring to, while working for one of the best in the African FMCG industry. Tiger Brands🐾, which has been part of South Africa’s heritage for over a century.As Brand Manager, I report to the Marketing Director and am responsible for the development and implementation of world class marketing initiatives for one of Tiger Brands most iconic brand, Albany Bakeries, a multi-billion-rand brand🍞. Working closely with Sales, Trade & Customer Marketing, Consumer Insights, Operations, R&D, Finance, third-party suppliers and Agencies to drive solid brand equity and increase market share.Key Projects:🛠️Launched the new brand repositioning strategy across all communication channels🛠️Developed the Kota Market Strategy 🍞Key Achievements:🎖️TransUnion Rising Star 2024: Semi-Finalist 🎖️Tiger Brands Marketing Stripes Awards 2024: Change Catalyst Award - Culture (most prestigious award of the day) Show less