Trade Marketing Manager

ARI (Axcel Recruiting Inc.); Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401(k) matching

Comprehensive health benefits

Generous paid time off

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a strategic Trade Marketing Manager to elevate trade spend optimization. In this dynamic role, you will develop and execute data-driven strategies that maximize ROI and sales growth across national retail channels. Collaborating closely with sales and cross-functional teams, you'll drive execution and enhance promotional effectiveness. This opportunity offers a chance to influence trade marketing initiatives while enjoying a competitive compensation package and exciting career growth in a fast-paced environment. If you're passionate about trade strategy and data-driven decision-making, apply now to make a significant impact!

Qualifications

• 5+ years in CPG, retail, or trade marketing with expertise in trade spend management.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze complex data and trends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic trade marketing plans based on corporate objectives.
• Optimize pricing strategies to maximize revenue and profitability.

Skills

Trade spend management

Revenue growth

Category management

Sales strategy

Data analysis

Communication skills

Project management

Leadership mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration

Degree in finance or related field

Tools

Excel

Trade Promotion Management (TPM) tools

Circana (IRI)

Nielsen panel data

Job description

Trade Marketing Manager

Are you a strategic, results-driven Trade Marketing expert ready to take trade spend optimization to the next level? Our client is looking for a highly analytical and proactive Trade Marketing Manager to develop and execute data-driven trade strategies that maximize ROI, sales growth, and profitability across our national retail channels.

In this role, you will own the strategic deployment of our annual trade budget across branded segments and retail markets, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and market opportunities. You’ll partner closely with field sales managers and cross-functional teams to drive execution, optimize promotional effectiveness, and shape the future of our trade marketing initiatives.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and implement strategic trade marketing plans based on corporate objectives, market trends, competitive insights, and promotional effectiveness.
• Establish and refine processes to support field sales and retail teams, ensuring the right trade strategies are in place for both short- and long-term success.
• Optimize pricing strategies to maximize revenue, profitability, and market share, leveraging deep analysis of price elasticity, competitive pricing, and customer segmentation.
• Drive brand priorities through continuous evaluation and enhancement of pricing, promotions, distribution, and merchandising tactics.
• Analyze post-promotional performance to ensure trade programs deliver target ROI and generate incremental sales growth.
• Provide strategic pricing and promotional guidelines to field sales, track compliance, and address any competitive market challenges.
• Enforce trade promotion policies, including net cost minimums, pricing thresholds, and promotional duration limits, ensuring disciplined execution.
• Evaluate and manage incremental trade spend proposals, ensuring smart investment decisions that drive business growth.
• Forecast trade spend liability for key financial milestones (budget planning, latest estimates) and provide critical updates for variable marketing P&L inputs.
• Influence annual volume planning and trade budget allocation, ensuring a data-backed approach from a category, customer, channel, and competitive perspective.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, operations, marketing, and finance to execute key strategic initiatives and optimize trade processes.
• Monitor commodity pricing trends and assess gross margin reports to identify profitability risks and inform trade investment decisions.
• Manage national price list changes for existing and new product launches.
• Prepare key materials for Sales Meetings, strategic planning sessions, and executive reporting.
• Communicate trade-driven volume forecast changes, ensuring alignment across internal stakeholders.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in CPG, retail, or trade marketing, with expertise in trade spend management, revenue growth, category management, or sales strategy.
• Deep understanding of sales, pricing, and promotional strategies, with a track record of driving results.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze complex data, interpret trends, and make insight-driven decisions.
• Advanced Excel proficiency and experience with Trade Promotion Management (TPM) tools.
• Familiarity with Circana (IRI) and/or Nielsen panel data for competitive insights and trend analysis.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and project management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Leadership mindset—ability to create a vision, challenge the status quo, and inspire change within the sales organization.

What They Offer:

• Competitive compensation
• 401(k) matching
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance)
• Generous paid time off
• Exciting career growth opportunities in a dynamic, fast-paced industry

Some travel required.

If you’re passionate about trade strategy, data-driven decision-making, and driving sales growth, we want to hear from you! Apply today and make an impact.