Open to opportunities

Grace Mabena

@gracemabena

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CPG commercialization leader driving retailer partnerships and portfolio growth through data-led go-to-market strategy.

Canada

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead CPG commercialization—owning go-to-market, retailer partnerships, and data-led forecasting—to scale brands profitably through strong portfolio management, innovative launches, and measurable ROI.

I’m a commercially driven CPG leader with experience across Canada and African markets, combining customer development, brand management, commercialization, and go-to-market strategy to deliver business growth. I translate consumer and customer insight into profitable decisions, supported by strong analytical capability from forecasting and ROI analysis to Power BI.

At Concord National, I accelerated portfolio revenue growth from 25% to 175% year to date through stronger go-to-market execution and commercial discipline. I secure major retailer innovation listings within four months of launching and have achieved $5M in revenue within 1 year, while leading joint business plans with Walmart, Sobeys, Loblaws, and Pattison Food Group to strengthen strategic partnerships.

Earlier roles strengthened my end-to-end commercial toolkit: as a Brand Manager at McCaughey Consumer Products, I led forecasting and P&L management, built a demand forecasting tool, and spearheaded a health and beauty innovation brand launch—securing major retailer listings within four months and building a projected first-year sales pipeline of CAD $2.5M. I also bring broader leadership from founding and directing a growth-focused business deploying capital into small businesses in exchange for equity participation, and from mentoring through Catapult Grey Bruce.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

National Client Manager

Concord National

Nov 2022 - Jan 2026 (3 years 2 months)

Led due diligence and commercial evaluation for brands entering the Canadian market, shaping investment decisions and growth strategies. Developed go-to-market and distribution plans and strengthened retailer partnerships to deliver portfolio revenue growth from 25% to 175% year to date.

Due Diligence Go To Market Strategy Distribution Strategy Retail Execution Partnerships Portfolio Management

Brand Manager

McCaughey Consumer Products

Mar 2022 - Nov 2022 (8 months)

Led brand growth planning, forecasting, and P&L management to support business targets and improve portfolio performance. Built a demand forecasting tool and launched a health and beauty innovation brand, securing major retailer listings within four months and building a projected first-year sales pipeline of CAD $2.5M.

Brand Growth Forecasting P&L management Demand Forecasting Sales Pipeline

In-Store Activations & Sales Specialist

Acosta Sales Solutions

Mar 2021 - Nov 2022 (1 year 8 months)

Executed high-impact retail activation and selling strategies across major CPG portfolios. Delivered incremental volume and secondary display gains through disciplined execution of customer and corporate priorities.

Retail activation Secondary Display Execution Incremental Volume Growth Retail Merchandising Customer and Corporate Priority Execution

Freelance Consultant & Mentor

Catapult Grey Bruce

Jan 2021 - Aug 2021 (7 months)

Advised small business owners on growth strategy, operations, and capability building to improve resilience, profitability, and commercial focus. Directed a mentorship pilot program, enabling 20 struggling businesses to access funding, strategic guidance, and measurable improvement.

Growth Strategy Commercial Focus

Business Development Director

Ithuba Business Solutions

May 2019 - Dec 2020 (1 year 7 months)

Founded and led a growth-focused business deploying capital into high-potential small businesses in exchange for equity participation. Directed strategy, marketing, and profitability initiatives and secured and managed investments across five tender-based businesses, delivering a first-year turnaround of USD $30K.

Business Strategy Marketing Strategy Profitability Management Capital Deployment Equity Investment Management Business Turnarounds

Brand Manager

Unilever South Africa

Apr 2018 - Apr 2019 (1 year)

Led multicultural, cross-functional teams to launch strategic product innovations across West and East Africa. Managed brand portfolio performance and budgets and developed market-specific campaigns across traditional and digital channels, introducing digital analytics to improve targeting and performance.

Product Innovation Cross functional Leadership Brand Portfolio Performance Management Budget Management Campaign Development Digital Marketing Digital Analytics Performance Targeting R&D and Supply Chain Alignment

Key Account Manager - Customer Dev

Unilever South Africa

Nov 2015 - Mar 2018 (2 years 4 months)

Led customer strategy and joint business planning for Shoprite/Checkers, driving commercial growth and deepening a key national retailer partnership. Negotiated national promotional agreements and used ROI analysis to optimize trade investment effectiveness and sales uplift.

Customer Strategy ROI Analysis Trade Investment Effectiveness Sales Growth