Kanyemba Choolwe

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing communication and stakeholder engagement plans for internal and external stakeholders.
• Leading community investment projects with a focus on education, road safety, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability, managing an annual budget of over K1.8 million.
• Executing CSR initiatives like supporting schools, solar projects, tree planting, and climate-friendly projects in collaboration with various stakeholders.
• Managing digital marketing, content creation, SEO, social media, and email marketing campaigns for both Vivo Energy and Engen brands.
• Spearheading the strategic marketing planning process, managing budgets of up to K7.2 million.
• Overseeing advertising, branding, sales promotions, and PR efforts with a media budget of K3 million and a promotions budget of K6 million.
• Developing customer value propositions (CVPs) leading to a 3% increase in brand preference and a 6% increase in brand love.
• Monitoring pricing strategies and advising executive management on optimal price positioning.
• Strengthening sales relationships in B2B and B2C sectors and driving new product launches, including a lubricant brand with a 15% monthly growth rate.
• Managing people, coaching direct reports, and overseeing ERP project management and change management.

Oversaw retail service stations across Zambia, managing sales, assets, compliance, and business development. Key responsibilities included:

• Managing sales of various products, including fuel (Diesel, Petrol, Kerosene), lubricants, quick shops, corner bakery, fast foods, and 1card (Fleet Management).
• Ensuring compliance with debt management policies and overseeing credit and collections.
• Managing company assets and equipment, including network planning, maintenance, and lease property security.
• Ensuring statutory compliance with regulatory bodies (ERB, Zambia Weights and Measures, Zambia Environmental Agency, Council).
• Executing marketing initiatives (advertising, promotions, brand management, and customer service).
• Driving business growth through new asset acquisition and expanding the organization’s footprint.
• Managing contracts with dealers and ensuring effective human resource development by motivating and training retail teams.
• Collaborating with partners in Convenience Retail and working closely with Engineering and Retail portfolio planning teams to secure strategic locations for site development.

Led distribution channels and customer relationship management, driving sales growth and market expansion. Key responsibilities included:

• Managing distribution channels, setting sales targets, and increasing annual sales growth by 3%.
• Developing and maintaining communication with distributors, agents, wholesalers, and retailers.
• Implementing a customer loyalty program and managing key client accounts, debt collection, and customer satisfaction.
• Expanding business in rural and urban areas by acquiring 10 new customers annually through product development and market penetration.
• Preparing daily, weekly, and monthly sales reports to support management decision-making.
• Leading the implementation of a new Route to Customer strategy for the southern and western regions, resulting in a 3% financial growth in the segment in 2017.

Monitored and analyzed sales performance, identified market opportunities, and ensured customer satisfaction. Key responsibilities included:

• Analyzing the marketing team’s performance and monitoring key business performance indicators.
• Identifying market opportunities, monitoring competitor activities, and analyzing socio-economic factors affecting sales.
• Managing Customer Value Management by overseeing key account sales, contracts, and performance against targets.
• Resolving customer complaints and ensuring distributor/agency contract performance for market penetration.
• Preparing the annual strategic marketing plan, setting sales targets/forecasts by product and market.
• Coordinating branding activities, sales promotions, and managing relations with internal and external stakeholders.

Undertook various marketing projects and gained exposure to all sections of the Marketing Department. Key responsibilities included:

• Managing and coordinating marketing campaigns, branding initiatives, and market development projects.
• Organizing and implementing company events.
• Gaining comprehensive experience across Sales (Local and Export), Marketing Services, Logistics, and Finance departments within Zambia Sugar and the Illovo Group.