General Soft Drinks Co Ltd is looking to recruit a Trade Marketing Manager to join their team on a full-time basis.

JOB OUTLINE:

The Trade Marketing Manager ensures the development, updating, and implementation of in-store execution standards (MSL, PICOS, promotions) across relevant channels. The role leads and optimizes annual POSM planning and purchasing for all brands, and supports teams in preparing initiatives and conducting negotiations with key clients in order to achieve superior availability and in-store visibility.

TASKS: 

• Responsible for providing, supported by the Brand Managers and Activation Manager, MSL and PICOS training to the sales and activation teams at least once a year.
• Planning, managing, and tracking the relevant part of the DME budget (POSM) in line with the business plan and company policies. 
• Developing promotional in-store execution standards tailored to each shop type and ensuring all initiatives are prepared, communicated, and tracked in a standardized and consistent way. 
• Cooperation with the Purchasing Department, for ensuring POSM is purchased on time, at optimal cost, and at the required quality. 
• Preparing, updating, and communicating the monthly display plan for all brands, consolidating inputs from the Brand Management team and verifying with sales and activation. Ensure execution tracking throughout the month. 
• Tracking in-store activities of key competitors and providing commentary and recommendations in cooperation with the Brand Managers.
• Ensure development, updating, and support in implementing in-store execution standards (MSL, PICOS, promotions) across relevant channels. 
• Support teams in preparing initiatives and in negotiations with clients to achieve superior availability and in-store visibility. 
• Responsible for monthly reporting of HoReCa outlets; activation status, upkeep and performance. 
• Ensure, in cooperation with the sales team, the successful distribution and upkeep (to the merchandising standards) of GSD Coolers.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Brand Management: Full understanding of brand mission, identity, design principles, positioning, core elements, target groups, and attributes.
• Market, Channel and Trade Understanding: Understands market trends, key channels, trade structure, and can predict trends based on insights. Able to incorporate channel evolution predictions into brand strategies.
• Budget Management: Understands budget processes and procedures, ensures accurate planning and tracking, monitors budget balance, costs and accruals, and provides timely reporting.
• Computer: Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint. 
• Basic Financial Skills: Understands P&L, value chain, and retail math. Can assess implications of financial changes, simulate outcomes, manage pricing decisions, and interpret key retail KPIs. 
• Basic Category and Shopper Marketing: Understands category segmentation, consumer need states, shopping missions, shopper decision trees, and key channel occasions. 
• Business Acumen: Understands how businesses operate, the competitive landscape, policies, trends, and market dynamics. 
• Creativity: Generates unique ideas, makes connections, and contributes meaningfully in brainstorming settings. Identifies viable creative ideas, manages creative processes, and evaluates potential market impact. 
• Learning on the Fly: Learns quickly, embraces change, experiments with new approaches, and understands underlying structures rapidly. 
• Process Management: Designs effective processes, organizes workflows, identifies synergies, simplifies complexity, and maximizes efficiency. 
• A proven track record in creating winning brand visions in environments with strong emphasis on merchandising, promotion, and partnerships. 
• Demonstrated success working in a fast-paced environment where strategic brand-building is combined with high-intensity promotional activities.
•  Presentation Skills of formal presentation settings: one-on-one, small, and large groups, with peers, direct reports, and bosses. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Tertiary Level of Education (or equivalent certification).
• ECDL Certification (excel / word proficient).
• Have 3 years experience in a similar role, preferably within FMCG
• Strong, classic Trade/Customer Marketing background.