π Core Information
πΉ Job Title: Trade Marketing Associate
πΉ Company: Sun King
πΉ Location: Arusha, Arusha, Tanzania
πΉ Job Type: Full-Time
πΉ Category: Marketing & Creative
πΉ Date Posted: 2025-06-26
πΉ Experience Level: 2-5 years
πΉ Remote Status: On-site
π Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving trade marketing initiatives across Sun King Tanzaniaβs sales network
- Strengthening sales agent engagement and enhancing brand presence at retail level
- Executing visibility and activation activities to maintain sales momentum on the ground
- Collaborating with Field Sales Executives, shop teams, and agents to deliver localised, high-impact campaigns
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic planning and hands-on execution, with a focus on driving sales through effective trade marketing activities.
π Key Responsibilities
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Assist in designing and implementing retail marketing activities, campaigns, and activations in partnership with Business Managers and Sales teams
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Coordinate planning and execution of new shop openings, soft launches, and in-store branding
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Conduct regular market visits to assess visibility, customer experience, and campaign effectiveness
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Build strong working relationships with Field Sales Executives/Agents to address their day-to-day visibility and marketing needs
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Plan and implement activities that motivate, recognise, or reward sales agents in key markets within the region
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Gather feedback from agents on customer perceptions, product perception, messaging, and sales enablement tools
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Ensure agents are always branded and equipped in a timely fashion with required merchandise
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Coordinate branding deployments and ensure consistent visibility across shops, partner outlets, and touchpoints
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Ensure timely delivery of POS materials, signage, and merchandise to the field
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Perform periodic audits of Sun King sales locations to maintain branding quality standards
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Assist in organising community activations, van activations, market storming, and local promotional events
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Manage field logistics, set-up, and on-ground coordination for each activation campaign
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Track performance of activations and compile visual and written reports on ROI and overall learnings and impact
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Manage relationships with activation agencies on the ground and ensure activities are executed per brand guidelines
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Prepare weekly activity plans and reports with field photos, insights, and results
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Interpret agent and campaign performance data, extract insights, and suggest action points
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Track market dynamics and prepare intel reports on industry trends
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of multitasking, with responsibilities ranging from strategic planning to on-the-ground execution and data analysis.
π― Required Qualifications
Education: A Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field
Experience: At least 3 years of experience in trade marketing, field marketing, or retail activations, preferably in FMCG, Telecom, or Solar/Renewable Energy sectors
Required Skills:
- Strong people skills and effective communication in both English and Kiswahili
- Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure, with strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Comfortable working with data and digital tools, including performance tracking, reporting, Google Sheets, and project management platforms
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in the solar or renewable energy industry
- Familiarity with the East African market
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience in the solar or renewable energy industry and familiarity with the East African market would be beneficial for this role.
π° Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The salary range for this role is estimated to be between TZS 5,000,000 and TZS 7,000,000 per annum, based on industry standards for a mid-level marketing role in Tanzania. This estimate takes into account the experience level required and the location of the role.
Benefits:
- Professional growth in a dynamic, rapidly expanding, high-social-impact industry
- An open-minded, partnership culture made up of talented colleagues who are passionate about innovation towards profound impact on people and the planet
- A truly multicultural experience, working with and learning from people from different geographies, nationalities, and backgrounds
- Structured, tailored learning and development programs through the Sun Center for Leadership
Working Hours: Full-time position with standard working hours, Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work as required
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and should be verified with the employer.
π Applicant Insights
π Company Context
Industry: Sun King operates in the renewable energy sector, focusing on providing solar energy solutions to consumers without reliable access to traditional electrical grid connections. The company is the leading off-grid solar provider globally, powering over 20 million homes in more than 40 countries.
Company Size: Sun King has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Sun King was founded in 2009 and has since expanded its operations across Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Company Description:
- Sun King designs, distributes, installs, and finances solar energy solutions for the 1.8 billion global consumers who cannot reliably access or afford traditional electrical grid connections
- The company is committed to making energy more accessible, affordable, and sustainable for underserved communities worldwide
- Sun King offers a dynamic and innovative work environment, with a focus on driving social impact through clean energy solutions
Company Specialties:
- Off-grid solar solutions
- Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) financing models
- Last-mile distribution and customer acquisition strategies
- Partnerships with local governments, NGOs, and private sector organisations
Company Website: https://sunking.com/
ASSUMPTION: Sun King's focus on social impact and innovation makes it an attractive employer for candidates seeking to make a difference in the renewable energy sector.
π Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level of the marketing career path, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company.
Reporting Structure: The Trade Marketing Associate reports directly to the Senior Marketing Lead - Tanzania and works closely with Field Sales Executives, shop teams, and agents to deliver localised, high-impact campaigns.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position based in Arusha, Tanzania, with regular market visits and occasional weekend work as required.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Senior Trade Marketing role or a similar position in another region
- Expanding responsibilities and taking on additional markets or product lines
- Developing expertise in the renewable energy sector and contributing to Sun King's mission
ASSUMPTION: Given Sun King's growth and expansion, there are likely opportunities for career progression within the company for motivated and high-performing employees.
π Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Sun King's office in Arusha, Tanzania, is a professional and collaborative workspace, with a focus on fostering innovation and creativity.
Office Location(s): Argwings Kodhek Road, 2nd Floor, The Priory, Nairobi, Kenya (headquarters); Chicago, Illinois, USA; Ikeja GRA, No.19, Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Lagos, Nigeria; Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli, 10th Floor, Nehru Centre, Mumbai, India
Geographic Context:
- Arusha is the second-largest city in Tanzania, located in the north-eastern part of the country
- The city is known for its cultural diversity and is a hub for tourism, with nearby attractions such as Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park
- Arusha offers a mix of urban and outdoor living, with a moderate climate year-round
Work Schedule: Standard working hours are Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work as required for market visits and activations.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Sun King's Arusha office is likely to be dynamic and collaborative, with a focus on driving social impact through clean energy solutions.
πΌ Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager (Senior Marketing Lead - Tanzania)
- Final interview or assessment with relevant stakeholders
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and cultural fit
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Understanding of trade marketing principles and retail activations
- Knowledge of the solar or renewable energy industry and the East African market
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Sun King's mission and the renewable energy sector
- Prepare examples of your past trade marketing or retail activation campaigns and their outcomes
- Be ready to discuss your approach to motivating and engaging sales agents and other stakeholders
ATS Keywords: Trade Marketing, Retail Engagement, Sales Agent Engagement, Branding Execution, Campaign Activation, Agency Coordination, Reporting, Insight Generation, Communication, Organisational Skills, Data Management, Digital Tools, Market Analysis, Customer Experience, Relationship Building, Motivation Strategies
ASSUMPTION: Sun King's interview process is likely to be comprehensive and focused on assessing candidates' skills and cultural fit for the role and the company.
π οΈ Tools & Technologies
- Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, Slides)
- Project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project)
- Data analysis and visualisation tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, or Tableau)
- Design tools for creating marketing materials (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or Sketch)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the company's internal systems and processes.
π Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation: Sun King values creativity, continuous learning, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the renewable energy sector
- Impact: The company is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of underserved communities worldwide
- Collaboration: Sun King fosters a culture of teamwork, partnership, and mutual respect among its employees
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced, with a focus on driving results and achieving targets
- Collaborative and inclusive, with a emphasis on open communication and active listening
- Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a changing and often challenging work environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do I have a passion for driving social impact through clean energy solutions?
- Am I comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with a focus on achieving results?
- Do I thrive in a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with a emphasis on open communication and active listening?
- Am I adaptable and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a changing and often challenging work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Sun King's culture is likely to be dynamic, innovative, and focused on driving social impact through clean energy solutions, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork.
β οΈ Potential Challenges
- The role may require frequent travel to remote or rural areas, with associated logistical and personal challenges
- Working in the renewable energy sector can be challenging due to the need to navigate complex regulatory environments and market dynamics
- The role may require working with diverse stakeholders, including sales agents, shop teams, and local communities, each with their own unique needs and expectations
- The pace of work may be intense at times, with tight deadlines and high expectations for performance
ASSUMPTION: While there may be challenges associated with this role, the opportunity to drive social impact and contribute to Sun King's mission is likely to be a significant motivating factor for many candidates.
π Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Field Marketing Manager or Trade Marketing Specialist position in other industries, with a focus on driving sales and brand awareness through on-the-ground activations and retail engagement
- However, this role is unique in its focus on the renewable energy sector and Sun King's mission to make energy more accessible, affordable, and sustainable for underserved communities worldwide
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a similar position in another region or taking on additional markets or product lines within Sun King
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other trade marketing or field marketing positions, its focus on the renewable energy sector and Sun King's mission sets it apart and offers a unique opportunity for candidates seeking to make a social impact.
π Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a retail marketing campaign to launch a new Sun King product line in a key market within Tanzania
- Conducting a market analysis of the competitive landscape for solar energy solutions in East Africa and developing recommendations for Sun King's product and pricing strategy
- Designing and implementing a sales agent motivation and recognition program to improve performance and engagement within Sun King's sales network
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of initiatives a Trade Marketing Associate might work on, but the specific projects and priorities will vary depending on the company's needs and the individual's skills and experience.
β Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical career path for a Trade Marketing Associate at Sun King, and what opportunities might be available for growth and advancement?
- How does Sun King support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the marketing and creative departments?
- What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the renewable energy sector in East Africa, and how might this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does Sun King engage with local communities and stakeholders to ensure its products and services meet their needs and expectations?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does it support employees in maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are intended to help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the industry, and to assess their fit for the position and the organisation.
π Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on trade marketing, retail activations, and your understanding of the renewable energy sector
- Prepare examples of your past trade marketing or retail activation campaigns and their outcomes, and be ready to discuss your approach to motivating and engaging sales agents and other stakeholders
- Follow up with Sun King's HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
β οΈ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.