Commercial & Trade Activation Lead

Creative Dock Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Creative Dock Group is seeking a dynamic Trade Marketing Lead to own local sales activation for NION in Manchester, spanning retail, HoReCa and distribution. You’ll manage the Manchester sales and distribution agency and drive promotions, building a practical local activation calendar while ensuring on-brand, compliant execution within budget.

If you excel in a fast-paced, regulated FMCG environment and love turning market opportunities into measurable growth, we want to hear from you.

Qualifications

• 6+ years’ experience in trade marketing, sales activation, field sales or commercial marketing.
• Strong hands-on experience executing trade promotions, in-store activations, events or field campaigns.
• Good understanding of retail sales, distribution, sell-through and repeat orders.
• Experience managing sales agencies, field teams or external activation partners and holding them accountable for results.
• Good brand judgement and the ability to work with creative teams and suppliers.
• A practical, independent approach. You enjoy being out in the market, solving problems and getting things done.
• Experience in nicotine, tobacco or vaping is preferred, but we’ll also consider candidates from other regulated FMCG categories.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales and distribution with retailers, HoReCa partners and agencies.
• Own the local agency relationships and track performance.
• Execute trade promotions, POS and staff engagement.
• Turn marketing strategy into local activation calendar.
• Run operations: budgets, suppliers, briefs, logistics.
• Monitor sales, reorders, activation results and competitor activity.

Skills

Trade marketing

Sales activation

Field sales

Commercial marketing

Job description

NION is a new nicotine venture with big ambitions. We're a challenger brand looking to build the next big format in the risk-reduced nicotine segment, starting in Manchester.

We're looking for someone who loves being out in the market, building relationships, making things happen and seeing the results.

This is a chance to take real ownership. You’ll be the face of NION in Manchester, working across retail and HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, cafés and hospitality venues) to grow distribution, drive sales and bring our brand to life.

You’ll manage our local sales and distribution agency, lead trade promotions and brand activations, and help us figure out what works. You’ll have the freedom to bring your own ideas, test new approaches and make a real difference to how the business grows.

No sitting around waiting for someone to tell you what to do. We want someone who sees an opportunity and makes it happen.

We are proud of our informal atmosphere. We maintain a flat structure and the working environment is shaped around project teams. We believe in career development. All that matters are your skills and desire to learn more. No diploma will ever secure you a place at Creative Dock.

What you’ll do

• Drive sales and distribution. Work with retailers, HoReCa partners and our sales and distribution agency to grow distribution, improve sell-through and increase repeat orders.
• Own the local agency relationships. Manage the Manchester sales and distribution agency and our field activation partners. Set expectations, track performance, challenge results and keep everyone focused on the right priorities.
• Make trade marketing happen. Get out into stores and venues to execute promotions, POS, staff engagement and other activities that help NION sell. You’re as comfortable rolling up your sleeves as you are coordinating partners.
• Bring the brand to life. Help turn our marketing strategy into a practical local activation calendar covering retail, HoReCa, events and partnerships. Bring fresh ideas from the market and make them happen.
• Run the operation. Manage local budgets, suppliers, creative briefs, logistics and field teams, making sure everything is delivered on time, on-brand and in line with compliance requirements.
• Learn, improve and help us grow. Track sales, reorders, activation results and competitor activity. Share what you’re seeing, test new approaches and help us build a model that can work beyond Manchester.

You’ll work closely with our Venture CEO, NGP Incubation Lead, Creative Director and wider venture team, but you’ll have plenty of autonomy to run the day-to-day operation in Manchester within agreed plans and budgets. Significant changes to sales and distribution agency priorities are agreed with the Venture CEO.

What you’ll bring

The essentials

• 6+ years’ experience in trade marketing, sales activation, field sales or commercial marketing.
• Strong hands-on experience executing trade promotions, in-store activations, events or field campaigns.
• A good understanding of retail sales, distribution, sell-through and repeat orders.
• Experience managing sales agencies, field teams or external activation partners and holding them accountable for results.
• Good brand judgement and the ability to work with creative teams and suppliers.
• A practical, independent approach. You enjoy being out in the market, solving problems and getting things done.

Experience in nicotine, tobacco or vaping is preferred, but we’ll also consider candidates from other regulated FMCG categories.

Even better if you have

• Knowledge of Manchester’s retail and HoReCa scene, ideally with existing relationships.
• Experience launching new products in the UK.
• Connections with wholesalers, cash-and-carry operators or retail groups in the North West.
• Experience working in a start-up or early‑stage business.

You’ll need the right to work in the UK and a full UK driving licence.

You’ll be joining a small, entrepreneurial team where your ideas matter and your work has a direct impact. You’ll have the freedom to shape how NION grows in Manchester, the support of an experienced venture team and the chance to help build something from the ground up.

If you love the buzz of making things happen in the market, know how to turn trade activity into sales and want a role you can genuinely make your own, we’d love to hear from you.

Hiring Process:

Screening phone call with the Recruiter.

Interview with the Hiring manager.

Participation in a Bootcamp (1 day spent with your potential team – to showcase your skills and learn more about Creative Dock)

Equal opportunity employer

Creative Dock is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.