Trade Marketing Manager

Salt; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consumer brand is seeking a Trade Marketing Specialist in Cape Town. This role involves executing marketing plans across international markets with a strong emphasis on brand activation and creative execution. The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of trade marketing experience, particularly in the spirits or FMCG sectors, and is willing to travel regularly. Enjoy unlimited leave in a dynamic, founder-led environment, challenging traditional marketing norms and pushing creative boundaries.

Benefits

Unlimited leave

International travel

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in trade marketing, brand activation, or commercial marketing roles.
• Experience within spirits, wine, beer, or premium FMCG is highly advantageous.
• A strong execution mindset and comfort challenging standard practices.

Responsibilities

• Execute trade marketing plans across multiple international markets.
• Bring bold brand ideas to life through activations and tastings.
• Support the rollout of international trade calendars.

Skills

Trade marketing

Brand activation

Execution mindset

International travel

Job description

Salary: R 55 000,00 to R 70 000,00 CTC per month (depending on experience)

Location: Cape Town, City Bowl (Onsite)

The yummy bit: Unlimited leave (output-based culture) & international travel

Overview:

Step into a globally focused trade marketing role within a fast-moving, founder-led consumer brand business that is redefining how brands show up in culture, in trade, and on the world stage.

This is a rare opportunity to work on international markets from day one, shaping how premium brands come to life across multiple countries, channels, and moments that truly matter.

This role sits at the intersection of bold brand thinking and real-world execution. You’ll be responsible for translating creative ambition into standout trade activations across on-premise and off-premise environments; from launches and tastings to menu placements, POS, and unexpected in-market moments. If you love seeing ideas move from concept to execution (and you’re allergic to “safe”), you’ll feel very at home here.

This is not a passive, desk-bound marketing role. It’s hands-on, fast-paced, and internationally focused, with regular travel and exposure to global distributors and markets. You’ll work closely with brand and commercial leadership, challenge convention, and help build brands that don’t follow category rules...they rewrite them! If you thrive in creative environments where you’re trusted to push boundaries, move quickly, and own your space, this role offers serious room to make your mark.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• International Trade Execution: Execute trade marketing plans across multiple international markets, spanning both on-premise and off-premise channels.


• Brand Activation & Experiences: Bring bold brand ideas to life through activations, tastings, menu placements, launches, and disruptive trade moments that stand out in market.


• Global Trade Rollouts: Support the rollout of international trade calendars, ensuring consistency of brand vision while adapting to local realities.


• POS & Asset Development: Develop and manage trade assets and POS materials that challenge category norms and feel premium, unexpected, and commercially effective.


• Distributor Enablement: Build clear, execution-ready toolkits for international distributors and sales teams to ensure strong, on-brand execution.


• International Launch Support: Play a key role in supporting new market launches with compelling sell-in decks, activation plans, and launch moments.


• Performance Tracking: Track execution quality, performance, and ROI across markets, using insights to refine and improve future activity.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a vital connector between brand ambition, commercial strategy, and in-market execution.


• Market Feedback & Insights: Feed learnings from international markets back into brand and commercial teams to inform strategy and innovation.

Requirements:

• 3–5 years of experience in trade marketing, brand activation, or commercial marketing roles.


• Experience within spirits, wine, beer, or premium FMCG is highly advantageous.


• A strong execution mindset with the ability to bring creative ideas to life in real-world environments.


• Comfortable challenging “how it’s always been done” and pushing beyond standard playbooks.


• Based in Cape Town with a genuine willingness to travel internationally on a regular basis.

Please note:

Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful at this time. We thank you for your interest in the role and wish you the best in your career search.