WCO; to manage a small team of Brand Protection resources sitting across Sub Saharan Africa, work closely with the Group’s Customer Development and distributor Teams. Particular emphases are within the markets where the Group is establishing and funding local BP resources within the distributors. Where established, to also liaise with external Brand Protection Groups.
The regional Anti-Counterfeit Manager, Africa, will work closely with the Group Brand Protection Director and with Cluster leads around the world to ensure cross-border consistency of approach to counterfeits and infringing greys, to ensure prompt action and accurate record of data in central systems.
Key Responsibilities
To provide
accurate and clear information, reports and advice and appropriate input
to the Africa business, the Group BP Director and Cluster leads in
respect of all counterfeit and infringing greys issues in Africa and to
add value by developing operational trade knowledge and expertise of the
company and ensure that BP plans complement the business needs and
objectives in Africa.* Responsible for all Brand Protection activities within the Cluster ensuring that the approach is consistent with the Global Strategy and other Clusters.
* Ensure that country and Cluster action plans in Africa are consistent with the BP Global Strategy.
* Regular face to face contact with all enforcement officials in key markets, Customs, Revenue, Standards, Food & Drug Board.
* Build strong relationships with WCO, WIPO and Interpol.
* Manage any counterfeit incidents within the Cluster following agreed guidelines on incidents and product recall.
* Responsible for the timely provision of information to Group Legal – Trade Marks on lookalikes.
* Make regular market visits with focus at the bottom end.
* Work towards signing MoUs with Customs in key markets in Africa.
* Conduct regular meetings with local internal and external lawyers in Africa, monitoring all cases, costs and effectiveness of our legal actions relating to counterfeits and infringing greys.
* Responsible for preparing all training programmes for enforcement officials and run key training workshops in Africa i.e. customs.
* Maintain accurate records of all seizures, and verification of all destructions in the central Database and locally.
* Prepare and control the Africa Cluster BP budget.
* Assist Brand Category teams by providing regular updates on the levels of counterfeiting activity of their brands and recommendations to better protect them.
* Evaluate and manage / supervise all third party investigations.
* Participate where BPG are running when relevant, and ensure continuity when local management changes take place.
Requirements
* Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, law, or a relevant field of study; MBA will be an added advantage.* Over 5 years experience in intellectual property/anti counterfeit roles/Brand Protection.
* Marketing in branded consumer goods with good knowledge of IP and trademark law.
* Strong experience in intellectual property and anti counterfeit activities
* Excellent understanding of how the retail/wholesale trade operates across Africa.
* Proven understanding and experience of the full range of illicit trade activities, trademarks and other intellectual property rights.
* Must understand the most effective practical options for actions, legal or otherwise in each country within the Cluster.
* Must fully understand the ever changing counterfeit supply chain into the Cluster including routes, importers, weak spots etc.
* Experience in budget management.
* Knowledge of supply chain and shipping routes in Africa and understanding of the Consumer Protection regime will be an added advantage.
* Good command of English, written and spoken; proficiency in French language is an advantage
* Good communication and training skills; ability to interact effectively at all levels internally and externally i.e. with Government officials
* Willingness to travel widely throughout Africa, often at short notice (travel comprises up to 50% of the role)
How to apply:
Send your
application including a cover letter indicating your desire to work with
our client; a detailed CV highlighting relevant experience, details of
current and expected salary, a daytime phone contact, email address, and
the names of three professional referees by close of business Friday
28th October 2011 to: Adept Systems
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS
P O Box 6416, Nairobi, GPO 00100
Email: recruit@adeptsystems.co.ke
Web: www.adeptsys.biz
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Please note that we do not charge fees for receiving or processing job applications.
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