Senior Marketing Manager SA & MEA

About Valvoline Global Operations

Valvoline Global Operations, established in 1866, is recognized as a pioneer in the automotive and industrial solutions industry. As an affiliate of Aramco, the company focuses on innovation and sustainable solutions. Valvoline Global operates with a global presence, developing products and services for partners worldwide, guided by values of Care, Integrity, Passion, Unity, and Excellence.

Role Overview: Senior Marketing Manager SA & MEA

Valvoline Global Operations is seeking a Senior Marketing Manager SA & MEA to serve as a strategic marketing business partner for the KSA and MEA regions. This full-time position, based in Jeddah or Makkah, requires over 10 years of experience. The role involves translating business priorities and commercial plans into integrated market activation strategies, leading trade marketing and market activation teams across KSA and MEA to drive measurable growth, customer engagement, and brand consistency.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with KSA and MEA General Managers and commercial leaders to develop clear activation roadmaps.
• Maintain distinct activation priorities, budget views, and performance rhythms for KSA and MEA.
• Define market activation priorities across distributors, channels, product launches, sponsorships, events, and trade programs.
• Serve as the primary marketing counterpart for KSA and MEA business priorities, supporting revenue growth and market development.
• Lead the development and execution of trade marketing, distributor activation, and key customer programs.
• Ensure regional brand and campaign platforms are adapted for local language, culture, and channel requirements.
• Lead, coach, and develop KSA and MEA market activation and trade marketing teams.
• Manage activation planning, investment governance, and performance measurement for KSA and MEA.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Commercial Management, or a related discipline is required. An MBA or advanced business degree is preferred.
• Over 10 years of experience leading trade marketing, customer activation, commercial marketing, or market development in complex multi-market environments.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in P&L management.
• Demonstrated success in partnering with GMs and senior commercial leaders to translate business strategy into measurable activation plans.
• Experience leading teams across different markets and influencing stakeholders in a matrixed organization.
• Proven experience managing marketing investments, agencies, and distributor activation budgets.
• Experience in KSA, GCC, Middle East, or Africa markets is strongly preferred; automotive, lubricants, industrial, B2B distribution, or FMCG experience is an advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong strategic marketing and commercial business acumen, adaptable to different market maturity levels.
• Expertise in trade marketing, distributor activation, customer engagement, and integrated marketing planning.
• Ability to translate GM priorities into practical marketing activation roadmaps and execution standards.
• Strong financial, analytical, and performance management capabilities, including budget discipline and ROI measurement.
• Strong leadership, communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills across multicultural teams.
• Strategic Mindset: Anticipates market opportunities and translates business priorities into focused activation plans.
• Business Partnership: Builds trusted relationships with GMs, Sales, Finance, and cross-functional teams.
• Enterprise Leadership: Leads across organizational boundaries, connecting regional capabilities with local execution.

Work Environment and Travel

This role operates in a hybrid office environment with regular interaction across commercial, marketing, and functional teams. Regular travel across KSA and MEA is required to support market visits, customer engagement, distributor reviews, events, and leadership meetings, with a travel requirement of at least 50% depending on business needs. The position demands the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, matrixed, global organization across multiple cultures and time zones, while complying with all applicable Valvoline Environment, Health, and Safety requirements.