Trade Marketing Manager

Lead trade marketing, category and channel planning across the company's product portfolio. Coordinate NPDs, commercial programmes, product information and cross-functional follow-ups to ensure initiatives are commercially ready and successfully implemented.

The role also supports coordination with the Ice Cream department and regional markets.

JOB DUTIES & PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

1. NPD, NCP and Product Management

• Coordinate the commercial preparation and launch of NPDs, NCPs and premium products.
• Develop commercial timelines and follow up with R&D, Sales, Brand, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance and QA.
• Coordinate listing requirements, product samples, product information and selling materials.
• Monitor launch readiness, production status, stock availability and post-launch performance.
• Identify and escalate stock, packaging, quality or supply-related issues.

2. Pricing and Commercial Support

• Consolidate product cost, competitor pricing, sales and margin inputs for HOD review.
• Coordinate approved pricing and commercial decisions with relevant departments.
• Support promotion planning and ROI analysis.
• The HOD retains final authority over pricing, margins and commercial investment.

3. Category and Channel Planning

• Analyse category, channel, sales and competitor performance.
• Develop category and channel recommendations.
• Develop product assortment and retailer-specific planograms.
• Review SKU productivity, range gaps and channel opportunities.
• Prepare category stories, selling presentations and retailer proposals.
• Provide product, category and market briefings to Sales teams.

4. POSM and Secondary-Display Planning

• Determine POSM and secondary-display requirements based on commercial priorities.
• Define the target channels, retailers, outlets, SKUs, mechanics, duration and proposed budget.
• Prepare commercial briefs for Brand and the Activation team.
• Align display plans with promotions, launches and planograms.
• Review display performance and commercial ROI.

5. Product and Packaging Coordination

• Prepare and manage product and packaging memos.
• Coordinate packaging changes, product information and QA-related updates.
• Ensure approved information is communicated to Sales and relevant departments.
• Follow up on implementation and resolve cross-functional issues.

6. Retailer and Partnership Support

• Support retailer engagement, business reviews and listing presentations with Sales.
• Coordinate commercial partnerships and collaborations with Brand and external partners.
• Support annual commercial planning and budget preparation.
• Assist the HOD with regional-market commercial support.
• Assist with Ice Cream department coordination and commercial follow-ups.
• Resolve cross-functional commercial issues.

7. People Management

• Set priorities and provide clear briefs to the Trade Marketing Executive.
• Review trackers, reports, analysis and documentation prepared by the Executive.
• Coach the Executive in commercial coordination, analysis and project management.
• Remain accountable for recommendations, deliverables and project outcomes.

SKILL & KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

Qualification: Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Commerce or a related discipline.
• More than five years of relevant FMCG experience.
• Experience in trade marketing, category management, channel development or commercial planning.
• Food, beverage, dairy, chilled, frozen or ice cream experience is preferred.
• Understanding of NielsenIQ, Kantar or equivalent retail audit, consumer panel and shopper data.
• Able to interpret market share, sales value and volume, distribution, rate of sale, channel performance and competitor trends.
• Strong analytical, Excel, PowerPoint and presentation skills.
• Able to translate data into category, channel and commercial recommendations.
• Able to manage multiple projects and detailed cross-functional follow-ups.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination skills. Comfortable working in a lean and fast-moving organisation.