Assistant Trade Marketing Manager
Position Description
About the role
Role purpose:
This role is critical in driving trade marketing strategy and execution for Food Service channels (Food Operators and Baking Ingredient Stores). It combines strategic planning with hands-on implementation to translate brand strategies into actionable programs, build sales volume, create brand relevance, and deliver category growth. The position oversees channel development, shopper programs, activations, revenue growth management, and category insights, ensuring alignment with business objectives and ROI.
Key Accountabilities
Trade Marketing Planning
- Develop and implement channel-specific trade marketing strategies focusing on 5Ps (Product, Price, Placement, Promotions, POSM).
- Identify new channel and category opportunities; initiate volume gap closure program.
- Lead annual activity calendar for Food Operator and Bakery channels.
- Collaborate with Sales & Marketing to align on category strategy and promotional plans.
Customer (Food Operator) & Shopper Programs – Food Operator & Baking Ingredient Stores
- Design and execute key customer programs that add brand value and drive revenue.
- Develop promo grids, allocate promotional stocks/premiums, and justify ROI.
- Manage promotion logistics, creative development, and sales support materials.
- Conduct post-promo analysis and campaign effectiveness evaluations.
Revenue Growth Management
- Manage trade spend budgets efficiently; track A&P utilization.
- Define pricing strategies and monitor competitor pricing/promotion trends.
- Identify opportunities for ingredient cost optimization to improve profitability.
Channel Activations
- Build activation plans, SOPs, and training decks for promoters and merchandisers.
- Develop customized activation programs for NPD launches, festive campaigns, and national activities.
- Optimize in-store space via planogram reviews and merchandising standards.
Category Management
- Maintain competitor pricing and promotion database.
- Utilize shopper behavior research to inform customer-specific plans.
- Present category and pricing insights in monthly business reviews.
Project Management
- Work closely with Chefs to create demand-generation initiatives based on food trends.
- Partner with industry academies for branding awareness programs.
- Support trade fairs and BTL campaigns with distributors and sales teams.
People Development & Trainings
- Train internal and external teams on trade marketing programs and execution standards.
- Motivate and guide promoter agencies and merchandisers to deliver excellence.
Critical Skills & Experience:
- Degree in a related field, preferably in Business or Hospitality related role in the foodservice or FMCG industry.
- Strong Commercial Acumen – Highly analytical with strong focus on achieving measurable results.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data.
- Excellent communication skills – Able to collaborate and engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Driven with proven ability to deliver outcomes.
- Project Management – Skilled in budgeting, ROI analysis, planning, and managing timelines effectively.