Trade Activation Manager

COMPANY PROFILE

Ultimum Limited is fast-growing alcoholic & non-alcoholic Beverages manufacturing company and Nigerian-based subsidiary of Union Camerounaise de Brasseries a leading Total Beverages Manufacturer with over 50 years presence and tremendous success in Cameroon; also, a proud sponsor of the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Abidjan. Ivory Coast.

We are committed to developing quality products that satisfy all aspirations of our customers, and constantly innovating on ways to improve our products and deliver quality and special experience for our customers. Our dream is to be a leading Future Beverages company in Africa and beyond.

At Ultimum, we recognize our people as our greatest competitive advantage hence we are committed to providing the best place to work for all our people. We are committed to being the best in the industry in creating a family of colleagues, growth opportunities, and developing our people.

We believe in empowering our people to realize their full potential. We are courageous - dream bold and dare to make them come true. We have a culture of excellence through learning, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

JOB PURPOSE

The Trade Activation Manager for the assigned territory is responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring trade marketing activities to enhance brand visibility and sales performance within the specified area. The role requires strong collaboration with distributors, retailers, and the sales team to deliver effective in-market execution and ensure alignment with national brand strategies while addressing local market dynamics.

Key Responsibilities:

Territory-Specific Trade Activation Planning

1. Develop and execute trade activation strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of the assigned territory.
2. Plan and roll out in-store promotions, merchandising initiatives, and activations (MIT& Experiential) to drive/support product penetration, launches and seasonal campaigns within the territory.
3. Identify and prioritize key accounts and retail outlets and clusters for activation activities based on territory sales potential and strategic importance.

Retail & Distributor Engagement

1. Establish and maintain strong relationships with distributors, key retailers and trade partners in the territory.
2. Provide training and support to retail and wholesale staff on product features, benefits, and activation guidelines.
3. Negotiate placement and prominence of point-of-sale (POS) materials and displays, Electric Coolers and all trade aids in retail and Wholesale outlets.

Execution Excellence in the Territory

1. Oversee the deployment of POS materials, ensuring they are effectively utilized in the territory in line with the Planogram and PICOS Standard.
2. Conduct regular visits to retail outlets to monitor the execution of trade marketing activities.
3. Coordinate with field sales teams to ensure alignment and consistency in activation efforts.

Performance Analysis and Reporting

1. Analyze sales and activation performance data to assess the effectiveness of trade activities in the territory.
2. Monitor local market trends, competitor activities, and consumer preferences to provide actionable insights.
3. Prepare detailed reports on activation outcomes and territory performance, highlighting successes and areas for improvement.

Budget and Resource Management

1. Manage the trade activation budget allocated for the territory, ensuring efficient use of resources.
2. Collaborate with local agencies and vendors to execute trade activations within the assigned budget.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of the assigned territorys retail landscape and consumer behavior.
• Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills to engage distributors and retailers effectively.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple projects within the territory.
• Analytical ability to evaluate activation performance and market opportunities.
• Creativity in developing activation ideas that resonate with the local market.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in trade marketing, sales, or field marketing in the FMCG industry.
• Proven experience working within a specific territory or regional market.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned territory.