Trade Marketing Manager

About the Role

Margaritaville at Sea is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Trade Marketing Manager to lead the development and execution of strategic marketing initiatives that drive brand visibility, customer engagement, and sales growth across key retail and distribution channels. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with sales & marketing team to create compelling trade programs, promotional campaigns, and merchandising strategies that align with business objectives. This role requires strong analytical skills, market insight, project management expertise, and the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders while maximizing return on investment and enhancing customer experience in the marketplace.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive trade marketing strategies that align with company objectives, strengthen brand presence, and drive revenue growth across retail, wholesale, and distribution channels. Ensure all initiatives are tailored to channel-specific opportunities and customer needs.
• Partner closely with sales and marketing teams to design and execute customer-focused promotional programs, trade campaigns, and activation plans that support business growth and maximize market penetration.
• Plan, coordinate, and evaluate trade promotions to increase product visibility, customer engagement, and sales performance. Monitor promotion effectiveness and optimize programs to maximize return on investment (ROI).
• Analyze market trends, shopper behavior, customer insights, and competitor activities to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and inform strategic decision-making.
• Adapt national and regional marketing campaigns for trade channels, ensuring that messaging, promotions, and marketing materials effectively resonate with retailers, distributors, and end consumers.
• Lead the development and execution of merchandising programs, point-of-sale materials, product displays, and in-store activations to enhance brand visibility and improve the shopper experience.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key retail customers, distributors, and channel partners to support collaborative business planning and successful trade marketing initiatives.
• Develop and manage trade marketing budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources while maintaining alignment with company financial goals and performance expectations.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to trade marketing activities. Provide actionable recommendations and insights to improve campaign effectiveness and channel performance.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, including sales, marketing, supply chain, operations, and product teams, to ensure seamless planning and execution of trade marketing programs.
• Support new product launches by developing trade marketing plans, coordinating promotional activities, and ensuring retail readiness across all applicable channels.
• Provide sales and promotional insights to assist with forecasting, inventory planning, and demand management activities, helping to optimize product availability and reduce stock-related issues.
• Ensure all trade marketing activities, promotional materials, and customer programs comply with company policies, brand standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Leverage market and category data to identify growth opportunities, improve product placement strategies, and enhance overall category performance for customers and partners.
• Identify and implement new trade marketing tools, technologies, and best practices that improve operational efficiency, strengthen customer engagement, and enhance competitive advantage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in trade marketing, brand marketing, sales marketing, category management, or a related commercial function.
• Proven experience developing and executing trade marketing strategies, promotional programs, and customer activation campaigns.
• Experience working with retail partners, distributors, wholesalers, and key account teams within a consumer goods, manufacturing, food and beverage, or related industry.
• Demonstrated success managing trade marketing budgets and measuring promotional effectiveness.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and collaborating with sales, marketing, operations, and supply chain teams.
• Prior experience supporting product launches, merchandising initiatives, and in-store marketing programs preferred.
• Experience utilizing market research, shopper insights, and sales data to drive business decisions and channel growth.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of trade marketing principles, channel marketing strategies, and retail execution practices.
• Knowledge of consumer behavior, shopper marketing, category management, and customer engagement strategies.
• Understanding of promotional planning, pricing strategies, merchandising standards, and point-of-sale marketing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data and generate actionable insights.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Advanced organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic trade marketing plans that support organizational objectives and sales growth.
• Ability to analyze market trends, sales performance, and customer insights to identify opportunities and recommend solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.
• Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.
• This position is classified as "in-person," meaning the physical office is in Orlando.

Travel

This role requires periodic travel, including attendance at industry trade shows, sales meetings, customer events, retail partner visits, and time onboard company cruise ship vessels. Travel is necessary to support trade marketing initiatives, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, participate in sales and promotional activities, gain operational insight, and identify opportunities to enhance brand visibility and revenue growth.

Benefits

• Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans
• Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources
• Company paid term life insurance and disability coverage
• 401(k) plan that includes a company match
• Paid Time Off: All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 10 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee's discretion.
• Vacation Time: All full-time employees below the Director level start with 15 days/year; Director and above level have Discretionary Time Off, which for Directors is generally 15 days and for VPs and above 21 days. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work.
• Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends