Trade Merchandising Manager

The Trade Merchandising Manager is responsible for developing, executing, and optimizing the merchandising strategies for our products at the retail level. The Trade Merchandising Manager role involves working closely with the sales team, retailers, and external vendors to ensure the brand is represented effectively in stores, driving visibility, engagement, and conversion. In this role, you will play a key part in driving the brand's presence and sales in all US retail channels, requiring a combination of strategic thinking, creativity, and hands-on execution. The ideal Trade Merchandising Manager will have a strong understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and retail dynamics, as well as the ability to collaborate cross-functionally to deliver impactful merchandising solutions. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Merchandising Strategy & Execution: 

• Develop and implement effective trade merchandising strategies to support brand and sales goals
• Collaborate with the marketing team to align in-store execution with overall brand strategy
• Ensure the effective use of point-of-sale (POS) materials, displays, and other marketing collateral to enhance brand visibility and consumer engagement
• Create and manage merchandising plans for both new and core products
• Work cross-functionally with our Sales Enablement and Retail Activation team to oversee in-store execution to ensure compliance with merchandising standards

Retailer Relationship Management: 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key retail partners to understand their needs and enhance product visibility
• Support the sales team to secure premium shelf space and visibility opportunities
• Conduct regular store visits to ensure proper execution of merchandising strategies, assess product placement, and gather consumer feedback
• Provide support and guidance to retail partners on merchandising best practices

Sales & Performance Tracking: 

• Monitor the performance of merchandising initiatives through sales data, market analysis, and consumer insights
• Track ROI on trade spending and merchandising activities, adjusting strategies as necessary to drive results
• Provide regular reports on merchandising performance to senior management and stakeholders

Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams: 

• Work closely with the sales team to identify merchandising opportunities that increases in-store conversion rates
• Collaborate with product development teams to provide insights on consumer preferences and product packaging for improved retail presence
• Coordinate with supply chain and logistics teams to ensure timely and effective delivery of merchandising materials

 Budget & Resource Management: 

• Manage the trade merchandising budget to ensure efficient allocation of resources
• Oversee the production and distribution of merchandising materials within budget constraints
• Negotiate with third-party vendors for the creation of displays, signage, and other merchandising tools

Market Research & Consumer Insights: 

• Conduct competitor analysis and consumer research to identify trends and new opportunities for product placement
• Continuously monitor retail environments to ensure the company stays ahead of industry trends

Skills & Qualifications: 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, sales, or related field required
• Experience: 8+ years of experience in retail merchandising, trade marketing, or sales with a focus on consumer goods
• Strong knowledge of retail and consumer trends, as well as merchandising best practices
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills
• Ability to analyze sales data and market trends to inform merchandising strategies
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), and merchandising software tools
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Creative with a strategic mindset
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Proactive, adaptable, and results driven