Mkami Lulu Kihwelo
DAR-ES-SALAAM,Tanzania
Summary
Accomplished professional and agile brand builder and strategist with expertise innovation strategy, adept at conducting comprehensive market research and competitor analysis. Passionate about shaping the future for organizations through the freshest expressions of consumer , brand and market insights. Committed to leveraging skills in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement to contribute to organisational growth and success.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Research and Innovation Manager
Megabeverages Ltd
Arusha, Tanzania
07.2023 - 02.2025
- Created insight-led annual business plans for the brands in the portfolio
- Conducted market analysis leading to the 5 year innovation pipeline identifying opportunities for disruptive innovations
- Coordinated market research activities leading to break through discoveries for company, brand and future portfolio strategic directions
- Built relationships with key industry players which resulted in valuable partnerships for marketing projects and activities
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver on innovative project goals.
Consumer Planning Manager
Serengeti Breweries Ltd (Diageo)
Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam Region
02.2016 - 11.2022
- Led proactive identification and communication of opportunities for growth for category and brand ensuring consumer and cultural insight are at the heart of relevant strategies and executions
- Provided insights that led to the innovation of 5 brands including one of the largest beer brands in the country
- Provided strategic leadership, insight/key learning throughout annual brand planning process
- Managed complex research projects from conception to completion, ensuring timely delivery without compromising on quality standards.
Consumer Planning, Media and Innovations Manager
Serengeti Breweries Ltd (Diageo)
Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam Region
08.2019 - 12.2020
- Led innovation of 4 products including production of the company's first local spirit production in Tanzania
- Enforced strategic development and execution of the Innovation pipeline in Tanzania by addressing consumer needs/opportunities that enable a strong brand portfolio to win and gain market share
- Managed the media strategies including buying and reporting of traditional and digital media.
- Including other responsibilities in my role as a Consumer Planning Manager highlighted above
Senior Research Executive / Ag Head of Ipsos Marketing Business Unit
Ipsos
Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam Region
10.2013 - 01.2016
- Client relationship management including prospecting, brief taking, proposal preparing, field and analysis briefing report preparation and presentation of more than 30 projects
- Revenue generation and management for market research business unit
- Team management and capacity building
- Directed multiple projects simultaneously to meet strict deadlines.
- Designed customised surveys to gather specific market information.
Country Project Manager
Millward Brown East Africa
Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam Region
01.2011 - 12.2011
- Managed over 50 research projects in various fields
- Delivered of quality data on time, on brief and within budget
- Recruitment, training, management, motivation and retention of both temporary and permanent field personnel
- Client service support: timely response to client queries and requests, as well as attending and conducting client presentations
- People relationship management with head of field logistics and project managers
Research Executive (Client Service)/ Ag. Country Lead
Consumer Insight Ltd
Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam Region
08.2008 - 11.2009
- Assisted in business planning, client service and project management to achieve company business objectives through: Achieving agreed quarterly and annual business targets and sale of proprietary brands increasing sales revenue by 20% annually
- Client relationship management including prospecting, brief taking, proposal preparing, field and analysis briefing and report preparation and presentation
- Oversaw timely and accurate execution of all parts of projects, as well as adherence of all systems
- Developing and growing team members through motivating, training, appraising and guiding them
- Budget and cost management for projects and country office
Education
Bachelor of Science - International Business Administration, Finance
United States International University – Africa
Nairobi, Kenya 01.2005 - 1 2008
Uganda Certificate of Advanced Education - A level
Vienna College Namugongo
Uganda 01/2002 - 10/2004
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Qualitative research
- Quantitative research
- Competitor analysis
- Data analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
- Idea generation
- Project management
- Innovation strategy
- Budgeting control
Personal Information
Date of birth: 11/11/85
Languages
English
Fluent
Swahili
Native
Affiliations
- Event planning
- Swimming
- Podcatsts
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Research and Innovation Manager
Megabeverages Ltd
07.2023 - 02.2025
Consumer Planning, Media and Innovations Manager
Serengeti Breweries Ltd (Diageo)
08.2019 - 12.2020
Consumer Planning Manager
Serengeti Breweries Ltd (Diageo)
02.2016 - 11.2022
Senior Research Executive / Ag Head of Ipsos Marketing Business Unit
Ipsos
10.2013 - 01.2016
Country Project Manager
Millward Brown East Africa
01.2011 - 12.2011
Research Executive (Client Service)/ Ag. Country Lead
Consumer Insight Ltd
08.2008 - 11.2009
Bachelor of Science - International Business Administration, Finance
United States International University – Africa
01.2005 - 1 2008
Uganda Certificate of Advanced Education - A level
Vienna College Namugongo
01/2002 - 10/2004
Similar Profiles
JESCA H. TZAMBURAKISJESCA H. TZAMBURAKIS
Teacher at Cresta Day Care CenterTeacher at Cresta Day Care Center
ZUWENA ABDALLAH CHIBWANAZUWENA ABDALLAH CHIBWANA
Data Analysis Intern at DEFOLY COMPANY LTDData Analysis Intern at DEFOLY COMPANY LTD
Taher ChakeraTaher Chakera
Employee at Auric AirEmployee at Auric Air