Brand and Trade Marketing Manager - FMCG - Port Elizabeth

SUMMARY:
“Drive FMCG brands from concept to shelf — we’re seeking a hands‑on Brand & Trade Marketing Manager to lead retail launches, promotions, and in‑store execution.”

POSITION INFO:

URGENT HIRE

Role Overview

A fast‑growing FMCG business is seeking a Brand & Trade Marketing Manager to lead brand positioning, retail trade marketing, and in‑store execution across a multi‑brand portfolio. This is a hands‑on, commercially driven role responsible for building brand guidelines, trade marketing plans, promotions calendars, and launch strategies that deliver measurable sell‑out growth.

The successful candidate will own brand and trade marketing end‑to‑end — from concept to execution — ensuring every campaign, activation, and promotion drives results at the shelf. They will collaborate closely with the Commercial Operations Manager, Business Development Manager, Social Media & Content Manager, and Designer to align trade activity with brand strategy and retail objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Brand Strategy & Guidelines

• Own brand positioning, target consumer, and tone of voice for each brand.

• Build annual brand and trade marketing plans and campaign calendars.

• Approve all brand artwork, packaging updates, POS, and campaign creative.

• Track competitor activity, shelf pricing, and category trends monthly.

Retail Trade Marketing

• Develop trade marketing plans per channel and key customer (retail, wholesale, forecourt, convenience, and automotive aftermarket).

• Run the promotions calendar and ensure in‑store execution meets brand standards.

• Plan and manage activations, sampling, and promoter campaigns within budget.

• Direct merchandising and promoter agencies, ensuring compliance and performance.

Promotion Evaluation & Reporting

• Evaluate every promotion within 20 business days, reporting sell‑out uplift, ROI, and recommendations.

• Deliver monthly brand and trade reports covering sell‑out, promotion results, and spend vs budget.

• Recommend which promotions to repeat, adjust, or discontinue based on data.

Launches & New Brands

• Own launch plans for new brands, including sell‑in kits, POS, activations, and listing support.

• Review launch performance at 30, 60, and 90 days and recommend corrective action.

• Write trade communications for customer CRM and sell‑in materials.

Budget, Suppliers & Compliance

• Manage spend against quarterly brand and trade budgets approved by Finance.

• Obtain comparative quotes and maintain supplier registers.

• Apply age‑restriction and advertising rules for regulated products.

• Confirm all prices and promotions against approved price lists before release.

Cross‑Functional Coordination

• Hold monthly trade planning meetings with Sales and Commercial Operations.

• Share confirmed promotions and launch calendars with Social Media and e‑commerce teams.

• Confirm stock cover before committing promotions or launches to retailers.

Required Skills & Experience

Non‑Negotiable Requirements

• Degree or diploma in Marketing, Business, or Commerce (or equivalent proven experience).

• Minimum 5 years’ FMCG marketing experience, including at least 3 years in trade marketing or brand management in South African retail.

• Proven experience planning, running, and evaluating retail promotions with measurable sell‑out uplift.

• Experience delivering POS, planograms, and activations through merchandising or promoter agencies.

• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret retailer sell‑out data and build reports.

• Experience briefing designers or agencies on packaging, POS, or campaign artwork.

• Budget management experience with purchase orders and spend‑vs‑budget reporting.

• Clear, confident written and spoken English; strong presentation skills.

• SA Citizens only

• Must be Criminal and Credit Clear

• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel nationally.

• Based in Port Elizabeth and able to work office‑based.

Preferred Experience

• Trade marketing in age‑restricted or regulated categories (vaping, tobacco, liquor).

• Forecourt, convenience, or automotive aftermarket channel experience.

• Launching new brands or ranges into national retail.

• Key‑account or category management exposure.

• US or international market launch experience.

• Multi‑brand FMCG marketing in a founder‑led business.

Shortlisted candidates will complete a practical assessment covering retail launch planning, promotion evaluation, compliance review, and creative briefing, followed by a final interview with the Commercial Operations Manager and Founder.

Qualifying Questions

1. Have you personally planned, executed, and evaluated retail promotions with measurable sell‑out uplift in South African FMCG?

2. Can you demonstrate experience managing POS, planograms, and activations through merchandising or promoter agencies?

3. Are you based in Port Elizabeth and able to travel nationally for retailer meetings, store visits, and launches?