Senior Trade Marketing Manager

Who we are: A leading FMCG business in Africa.

Who we are looking for: A Trade Marketing Manager to work from Zambia who has previously worked within the African market.

What you will do:

1. Plan and execute direct marketing approaches including targeting, customization of Brand messaging and measurability, customer profiling and segmentation.
2. Collaborate with Key stakeholders: Internal (management, brands/category, production and accounts/finance) and external (channel partners, activation agencies and regulatory authorities).
3. Oversee a strategic program of activities and events for brands.
4. Ensure the brand meets expectations through monitoring marketing trends and feedback (partner and stakeholders).
5. Manage the trade spend and allocate the A&P (Advertising & Promotional spend) budget across all channels/customers.
6. Segment the customer base and work closely with P&Ls to optimize channel strategies and maximize ROI.
7. Measure market potential channel-wise and identify target segments.
8. Work closely with the marketing/category management team to commercialize brand plans, looking at pack formats, pricing, and promotions.
9. Develop and execute trade/consumer promotions including pricing, sales estimates, operations liaison, and POS development.
10. Category Management, working with each brand manager to develop effective solutions for key accounts.
11. Monitor Brand Registrations (brand-wise/SKU-wise).
12. Develop and standardize trade promotions in Top end & Retail.
13. Define evaluation matrix for marketing investments and increase success rate of promotions and brand perception (footfall, conversion rates, loyalty programs).
14. Track competition volumes and monitor competitor activities to evaluate our brand performance.
15. Focus on developing promotional programs that attract business from wholesalers, distributors, and retailers.
16. Identify product category plans including range and merchandise proposals.
17. Recommend and develop local market promotions to promote sales.
18. Provide feedback to management on new product launches or re-launch initiatives.
19. Design and execute launches to gain maximum distribution.
20. Proactively communicate and build relationships with the group Marketing & Media team.
21. Collect and disseminate best practices for profitable Trade Marketing activities.
22. Work closely with the sales team to ensure trade marketing strategies are aligned with sales objectives and revenue targets.
23. Develop trade communications - Traditional and Digital.
24. POS Allocation/Visibility standardization at all channels.

What you must have:

1. Degree qualification (preferably in Trade Marketing & Marketing Communications).
2. Min 10 years of marketing experience in FMCG domain (Africa experience preferable).
3. Excellent understanding of marketing tools and techniques to increase the visibility, profile, and brand equity for our group brands.
4. Good understanding of social media and the impact technology is having on communications and collaboration.

Skills & Experience:

1. A strategic and creative thinker with proven experience of working on diverse and wide-ranging communication strategies including all forms of media (Digital+Analog).
2. Strong management and leadership skills demonstrated by evidence of leading high-performing teams that contribute to organisational objectives and show resilience in the face of changing priorities.
3. Experience of developing and managing strong and complex relationships across programmes as part of a centralised function and externally with multiple stakeholders.
4. Experience of managing websites.
5. Experience of measuring the impact of communications campaigns.
6. Excellent project management skills.
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an ability to communicate clearly with a range of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
8. Experience of representing an organisation at external events.

Competencies:

1. Strong, versatile communication skills.
2. Good organizational, planning, and coordination skills.
3. Ability to multi-task and re-prioritize as needed.
4. Desire to take full ownership of assigned projects and can work independently.
5. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
6. Possesses a sense of urgency; is self-motivated and detail-minded.
7. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships.
8. Good verbal presentation, group dynamic, and facilitation skills.
9. Proactive approach in resolving problems and issues.