Samantha Kavuma has taken on a new role as Senior Brand Manager for Gin at Diageo, overseeing the Gordon’s and Tanqueray portfolios.
In a LinkedIn announcement, she wrote: “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Senior Brand Manager – Gin (Gordon’s & Tanqueray) at Diageo.”The move marks the latest step in a career that has spanned more than nine years across global FMCG beauty, personal care, and premium spirits.
Kavuma describes herself as an analytical and results-driven marketing professional who combines strong commercial acumen with consumer-led brand building. Her expertise covers brand and portfolio strategy, P&L ownership, pricing, forecasting, innovation, and integrated marketing across African markets. She has also built a reputation for developing joint business plans, executing new product launches, and using data to improve value for consumers.
Before shifting fully into gin, Kavuma spent the earlier part of 2026 as Senior Brand Manager for Tequila at Diageo, responsible for Don Julio, Casamigos, and Astral. That role followed a substantial tenure at L’Oréal, where she rose through successive brand management positions in Johannesburg. Most recently she served as Senior Brand Manager for Garnier Skincare, Haircare, Hair Colour and Deodorants.
Earlier assignments included Senior Brand Manager for L’Oréal Paris Skincare and Garnier Skincare, Brand Manager for Garnier Skincare, and Brand Manager for Garnier Mineral Deodorants and Mixa Body Care. She is widely recognised for transforming Garnier into South Africa’s number one face care brand through strategic retail partnerships and disciplined brand activation.
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Kavuma’s path into senior brand leadership was built on a solid analytical foundation. She previously worked as a Business Analyst at L’Oréal, a Junior Project Manager in Insurance IT at FNB South Africa, and a Data Reporting Analyst at NielsenIQ.
Earlier roles included retail sales at an Apple specialist store and short internships at Investec and Deloitte. She also held student leadership positions as Secretary and Student Coordinator of the Ugandan Students’ Society at the University of Pretoria.
Colleagues and industry observers note that Kavuma’s ability to move between data-heavy analysis and high-impact brand strategy has become a hallmark of her work. In her new gin role she is expected to apply the same consumer insight and commercial discipline that drove growth in beauty and tequila to two of Diageo’s most iconic premium spirits brands in the African market.
The appointment underscores a broader trend of marketers with cross-category experience taking on larger portfolio responsibilities at global spirits companies. For Kavuma, it represents both recognition of past results and a platform to continue building brands that connect with consumers while delivering measurable commercial returns.
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