Trade Marketing Manager

Job Summary: We are seeking a results-driven Trade Marketing Manager to lead the development and execution of trade marketing strategies that drive sales and brand visibility for our pet food products across key retail channels. The ideal candidate will have experience in FMCG or retail environments, with strong skills in managing trade programs, promotions, in-store activations, and customer relationships to ensure brand success at the point of sale.

Key Responsibilities:

• Trade Marketing Strategy: Develop and implement trade marketing plans for retail partners, ensuring alignment with the overall marketing and sales objectives.
• Promotion Management: Plan and execute promotional activities, in-store activations, and merchandising strategies to increase product visibility and boost sales in retail channels (pet stores, supermarkets, online platforms, etc.).
• Channel Development: Identify and develop tailored strategies for different retail channels (e.g., independent pet stores, e-commerce, specialty chains, supermarkets) to drive brand growth and penetration.
• Sales Support: Collaborate with the sales team to create tools, materials, and programs that support the execution of marketing strategies and improve product sell-through at retail locations.
• Retailer Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with key retailers and distributors, ensuring effective communication of trade initiatives, promotions, and product launches.
• Point of Sale (POS) Materials: Design and oversee the production and placement of in-store POS materials such as displays, shelf talkers, and product samples to ensure optimal brand presence in stores.
• Market Analysis: Conduct market and consumer insights analysis to understand buying behaviors, market trends, and competitor activities, and use this data to adjust trade strategies.
• Budget Management: Manage the trade marketing budget, ensuring that all activities are cost-effective and deliver maximum return on investment (ROI).
• Merchandising: Ensure optimal product placement and visibility in retail stores through strategic merchandising plans that align with brand guidelines.
• Sales Data Analysis: Analyze sales data, track performance metrics (e.g., product sell-through, promotion effectiveness), and provide recommendations to improve trade marketing activities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the **marketing, sales, and supply chain** teams to ensure alignment of promotional efforts and consistent messaging across channels.
• New Product Launches: Lead the execution of trade campaigns for new product launches, ensuring strong coordination with retailers and on-time market introduction.
• Competitor Monitoring: Regularly track and report on competitor trade activities and in-store performance to maintain a competitive edge.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field.
• Experience: 3-5 years of trade marketing experience in FMCG, retail, or pet-related industries.
• Industry Knowledge: Strong understanding of the retail landscape, consumer behavior, and trade marketing best practices.-
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Project Management: Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Negotiation & Influence: Proven ability to negotiate and influence retailer partnerships and secure premium placement in stores.
• Creative & Strategic Thinking: Creative mindset to develop impactful trade campaigns, while maintaining a strategic focus on the brand’s commercial goals.
• Technology: Proficiency with trade marketing software, analytics tools, and CRM platforms.
• Travel: Willingness to travel to key retail locations and industry events.