Trade Marketing Manager

NicheHR LLP; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global consumer goods organization seeks a results-driven Trade Marketing Manager to lead initiatives across South Africa and neighboring regions. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in trade marketing, develop strategies to increase brand visibility, and optimize market penetration. This role requires strong analytical skills and excellent stakeholder management capabilities, with fluency in English and a willingness to travel regularly.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in trade marketing or brand management.
• Proven success managing regional trade activities across multiple markets.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Design and implement trade marketing plans for regional markets.
• Develop sales training modules focused on product knowledge.
• Build partnerships with retailers to boost product visibility.

Skills

Strategic thinker

Analytical skills

Excellent communication

Stakeholder management

Proficiency in MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field

Tools

CRM tools

Trade marketing tools

Job description

Overview

A leading global consumer goods organization, known for its diverse portfolio of health and wellness products, is expanding its footprint across Africa. The company is committed to delivering high-quality products tailored to local markets. As part of this growth, we are seeking a results-driven Trade Marketing Manager to lead regional trade marketing efforts across South Africa, Mauritius, Reunion Islands, and the SADC region.

The Trade Marketing Manager will be responsible for developing and executing trade marketing strategies that drive sales performance, increase brand visibility, and optimize market penetration. This individual will work across multiple regions to align trade initiatives with overall business goals while ensuring strong execution at the point of sale. You will collaborate closely with internal teams, retail partners, and distributors to lead trade campaigns, analyze market performance, and enhance customer engagement through tailored marketing activities.

Responsibilities

1. Strategy Development & Execution: Design and implement trade marketing plans for South Africa and regional markets (Mauritius, Reunion Islands, SADC). Align trade marketing strategy with overall business goals and adapt plans based on market dynamics. Track and evaluate the effectiveness of trade campaigns, promotions, and initiatives.
2. Sales Enablement: Develop sales training modules focused on product knowledge, category management, and customer engagement. Ensure sales teams are equipped with up-to-date trade tools and marketing materials to support in-field execution.
3. Retail & Channel Management: Build and maintain strong partnerships with retailers and distributors to boost product visibility and availability. Execute tailored channel-specific strategies to optimize product placement both in-store and online. Monitor retail trends and competitor activities to adjust plans and maintain a competitive edge.
4. Promotions & Campaigns: Plan and manage trade promotions and incentive programs aimed at increasing product uptake. Coordinate with brand marketing teams to ensure cohesion between trade campaigns and broader brand messaging.
5. Market Insights & Analytics: Conduct market research and gather insights to inform strategy adjustments. Leverage data to monitor trade performance, identify opportunities, and drive actionable improvements.
6. Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with Marketing, Sales, Product, and Supply Chain teams to ensure consistent execution and availability of trade initiatives. Support supply chain planning to align with promotional cycles and retail campaigns.
7. Performance Tracking & Reporting: Define and monitor KPIs such as sales uplift, ROI, market share, and execution quality. Provide senior management with detailed reports and strategic recommendations.

Qualifications & Skills

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field.

Experience: Minimum 5 years' experience in trade marketing, brand management, or sales within the FMCG or consumer goods sector. Proven success managing regional trade activities across multiple countries or markets.

Core Competencies: Strategic thinker with strong analytical and decision-making skills. Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities. Familiarity with retail and distribution networks across Southern Africa. Skilled in interpreting sales and market data to influence business direction. Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel and PowerPoint); experience with CRM and trade marketing tools is a plus.

Language Proficiency: Fluent in English (written and spoken).

Travel Requirements

Willingness to travel regularly across South Africa, Mauritius, Reunion Islands, and the SADC region.