Trade Marketing Representative

About Talent House Ltd:

We are a leading recruitment and HR consulting firm that operates as a link between people and companies in achieving a shared purpose. We offer creative, effective and flexible solutions that not only help individuals discover their career paths but provide organizations with talent they can recruit, develop and retain.

About the Company and Role:

Our client is seeking a results-driven and commercially minded Trade Marketing Representative to join their Sales & Marketing team in Lusaka.

The Trade Marketing Representative will be responsible for driving sales growth, strengthening distribution, ensuring effective merchandising and managing relationships across assigned trade channels. The role will involve working closely with customers, distributors, retailers and other trade partners to improve product availability, visibility and sales performance.

The successful candidate will be a confident field-based professional with strong selling, negotiation and relationship-management skills, combined with the ability to analyse market opportunities, manage customer accounts and deliver agreed commercial targets.

Key Responsibilities

1.Sales Target Achievement:

• Achieve assigned sales targets and agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers and trade partners to drive sales growth.
• Identify new business opportunities within the assigned territory and channels.
• Promote the company’s products and ensure effective execution of sales strategies.
• Monitor sales performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Drive volume growth, product penetration and customer acquisition within the assigned territory.

2.Trade Marketing & Merchandising:

• Ensure effective merchandising and visibility of products across assigned outlets.
• Implement approved trade marketing activities, promotions and campaigns.
• Ensure products are correctly displayed, adequately stocked and positioned according to company standards.
• Monitor point-of-sale materials and ensure appropriate placement and utilisation.
• Conduct regular outlet visits to assess product availability, visibility and competitor activity.
• Identify merchandising gaps and recommend appropriate corrective action.

3.Distribution & Chanel Management:

• Drive product distribution and ensure availability across assigned channels.
• Identify distribution gaps and develop actions to improve market coverage.
• Manage relationships with distributors, retailers, wholesalers and other relevant trade partners.
• Monitor stock availability and work with relevant teams to minimise out-of-stock situations.
• Identify opportunities to expand distribution and increase product penetration.
• Ensure effective execution of channel-specific strategies.

4.Debt Collection & Account Management:

• Follow up on outstanding customer balances in line with company credit policies.
• Maintain accurate records of customer accounts and payment status.
• Build professional relationships with customers while ensuring disciplined credit management.
• Escalate overdue accounts and potential credit risks to the Sales Manager.
• Support efforts to maintain healthy customer accounts and minimise outstanding debt.

5.Customer & Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and key trade partners.
• Understand customer needs and provide appropriate solutions.
• Handle customer concerns and resolve issues promptly and professionally.
• Maintain regular communication with customers and provide feedback to management.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen customer loyalty and improve business relationships.

6.Market Intelligence:

• Monitor competitor activities, pricing, promotions, product launches and market trends.
• Gather relevant market information from customers and trade partners.
• Identify emerging opportunities and potential threats within the assigned territory.
• Provide actionable market feedback to the Sales Manager and relevant teams.

7.Reporting & Administration:

• Submit accurate and timely daily, weekly and monthly reports.
• Report on sales performance, distribution, merchandising, debt collection and market activities.
• Maintain accurate customer and outlet records.
• Track progress against agreed KPIs and sales targets.
• Provide regular updates on challenges, opportunities and corrective actions.

8.Coast & Resource Management:

• Manage field activities and company resources responsibly.
• Control costs associated with sales and trade marketing activities.
• Ensure efficient planning of customer visits and territory coverage.
• Use company resources and promotional materials appropriately and in accordance with company policies.

9.Conflict Management:

• Handle customer and trade-related conflicts professionally and promptly.
• Listen actively to customer concerns and identify practical solutions.
• Escalate complex issues to the Sales Manager when necessary.
• Maintain positive relationships while protecting the company’s commercial interests.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Grade 12 Certificate.
• Degree or Diploma in Sales and Marketing, Business Administration or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in an FMCG environment, preferably in sales, trade marketing or customer service.
• Valid Class B or equivalent unrestricted Driver’s Licence.
• Experience working with retailers, wholesalers, distributors or other trade partners will be an advantage.
• Previous experience in a field-based sales or trade marketing role is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies:

• Computer literacy, particularly in Microsoft Office.
• Good driving skills and the ability to travel within the assigned territory.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-management skills.
• Strong time-management and organisational abilities.
• Good people-management and coordination skills.
• Active listening and strong attention to detail.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Excellent selling and persuasion skills.
• Assertiveness and confidence when dealing with customers and trade partners.
• Strategic and solution-oriented thinking.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Strong commercial awareness and a results-driven approach.

Personal Attributes:

• Results-oriented and target-driven.
• Proactive and self-motivated.
• Professional and confident.
• Customer-focused.
• Assertive but diplomatic.
• Organised and disciplined.
• Adaptable and solution-oriented.
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership.
• Able to work effectively under pressure.
• Willing to work in a field-based environment.

Key performance indicators:

• Achievement of monthly and annual sales targets.
• Distribution growth and market coverage.
• Product availability and outlet penetration.
• Merchandising and visibility compliance.
• Debt collection and reduction of outstanding balances.
• Customer acquisition and retention.
• Trade marketing execution.
• Territory coverage and customer call effectiveness.
• Cost management.
• Accuracy and timeliness of reporting.

Compensation:

The incumbent will receive a competitive salary commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

Please send your CV to careers@talenthousepeople.com before the 5th of October, 2026.