Trade Marketing Associate - Malawi

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Trade Marketing Associate - Malawi

🔹 Company: Sun King

🔹 Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing & Creative

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-17

🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Supporting trade marketing initiatives across Sun King Malawi’s sales network
• Executing visibility and activation activities to strengthen sales agent engagement and enhance brand presence
• Collaborating with Field Sales Executives, shop teams, and agents to deliver localized, high-impact campaigns
• Working closely with the Senior Associate - Brand Activation to support sales momentum on the ground

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of field orientation and travel, with a significant portion of time spent in Malawi's diverse regions and markets.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Designing and implementing retail marketing activities, campaigns, and activations in collaboration with Business Managers and Sales teams

✅ Planning and executing new shop openings, soft launches, and in-store branding

✅ Conducting regular market visits to assess visibility, customer experience, and campaign effectiveness

✅ Building strong working relationships with Field Sales Executives/Agents to support their day-to-day visibility and marketing needs

✅ Planning and implementing activities that motivate, recognize, or reward sales agents in key markets

✅ Coordinating branding deployments and ensuring consistent visibility across shops, partner outlets, and touchpoints

✅ Organizing community activations, van activations, market storming, and local promotional events

✅ Preparing weekly activity plans and reports with field photos, insights, and results

✅ Analyzing agent and campaign performance data, drawing insights, and suggesting action points

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of multitasking, requiring the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field

Experience: 1-2 years’ experience in trade marketing, field marketing, or retail activations; preferably in FMCG, Telecom, or Solar/Renewable Energy sectors

Required Skills:

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with field teams and sales agents
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet strict deadlines
• Data-driven with strong skills in analysis, reporting, and use of tools like Google Sheets, and project management tools
• Fluent in English and Chichewa with excellent verbal and written communication
• Willingness to travel frequently across Malawi (up to 60% of the time)
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven mindset

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the solar or renewable energy sector
• Familiarity with the Malawi market and local languages

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with project management tools are likely to be beneficial for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is estimated to be MWK 1,200,000 - MWK 1,800,000 per annum, based on industry standards for entry-level trade marketing positions in Malawi. This estimate takes into account the company's size, industry, and the candidate's experience level.

Benefits:

• Hands-on exposure to brand building, field marketing, and grassroots activation
• Supportive and inclusive team culture, with real ownership and learning opportunities
• Travel opportunities and field experience across Malawi’s diverse regions and markets

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard working hours, Monday to Friday. Occasional weekend work may be required due to the nature of the role and campaign activities.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and experience. The benefits listed are based on the company's description and may be subject to change.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 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. They are 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
• They aim to power access to brighter lives in Africa, Asia, and beyond
• Their mission is to provide clean, affordable energy to the 1.8 billion global consumers who cannot reliably access or afford traditional electrical grid connections

Company Specialties:

• Off-grid solar solutions
• Solar home systems
• Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar models
• Clean energy access

Company Website: sunking.com

ASSUMPTION: Sun King's focus on providing clean energy access to underserved markets presents unique opportunities for applicants interested in making a social impact through their work.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is an entry-level to mid-level position, offering opportunities for growth and development within the marketing and creative department.

Reporting Structure: The Trade Marketing Associate reports directly to the Senior Associate - Brand Activation and works closely with Field Sales Executives, shop teams, and sales agents.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with a significant portion of time spent traveling across Malawi to support field marketing initiatives and maintain brand presence at retail levels.

Growth Opportunities:

• Expanding responsibilities and taking on more complex projects as experience and skills develop
• Transitioning to a senior role within the marketing and creative department or exploring opportunities in other departments
• Gaining valuable experience in the renewable energy sector and off-grid solar solutions

ASSUMPTION: Given Sun King's global presence and growth potential, there may be opportunities for international assignments or transfers in the future.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Sun King's office in Lilongwe, Malawi, serves as the base for this role, with frequent travel required to support field marketing initiatives across the country.

Office Location(s): Lilongwe, Malawi

Geographic Context:

• Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, with a population of approximately 19 million people
• The country faces significant energy access challenges, with only around 13% of the population having access to electricity
• Lilongwe, the capital and largest city, is located in the central region of the country and serves as an important commercial and transportation hub

Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is primarily Monday to Friday, with standard working hours. However, the nature of the role may require occasional weekend work and travel.

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable with frequent travel and working in diverse, sometimes challenging, field environments.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the HR department
• In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Background check and reference verification
• Job offer and onboarding

Key Assessment Areas:

• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Problem-solving and analytical abilities
• Cultural fit and alignment with Sun King's mission and values
• Understanding of the Malawi market and local languages

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of Sun King's mission and the Malawi market in your application materials
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills

ATS Keywords: Trade Marketing, Field Marketing, Retail Activations, Sales Support, Branding, Campaign Management, Market Research, Data Analysis, Reporting, Project Management, Community Engagement, Supplier Coordination, Customer Experience, Visibility Management

ASSUMPTION: Sun King's application process may involve assessments or case studies to evaluate candidates' skills and fit for the role.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Google Sheets, Tableau)
• Design and creative tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is not explicitly required but may be beneficial for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation
• Integrity
• Customer-centricity
• Collaboration
• Excellence

Work Style:

• Proactive and solutions-driven
• Adaptable and comfortable working in diverse, sometimes challenging, field environments
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with field teams and sales agents
• Data-driven and analytical

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do I have a strong commitment to Sun King's mission of providing clean, affordable energy to underserved markets?
• Am I comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with frequent travel requirements?
• Do I possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with diverse teams and stakeholders?
• Am I data-driven and analytical, with a strong ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants who align with Sun King's values and work style are more likely to succeed in this role and contribute to the company's mission.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Frequent travel requirements, with up to 60% of time spent away from the office
• Working in diverse, sometimes challenging, field environments
• Managing multiple priorities and meeting strict deadlines
• Requirements to work occasional weekends and evenings to support campaign activities

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully consider these challenges and ensure they are comfortable with the demands of the role before applying.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to Field Marketing or Trade Marketing positions in other industries, such as FMCG or Telecom, but with a focus on the renewable energy sector and off-grid solar solutions
• Compared to other marketing roles, this position has a stronger emphasis on fieldwork, sales support, and brand activation at the retail level
• Career progression may involve transitioning to senior marketing roles within Sun King or exploring opportunities in other departments, such as sales or business development

ASSUMPTION: Applicants with experience in similar roles or industries may find this position particularly appealing and well-suited to their skillset.

📝 Sample Projects

• Planning and executing a new shop opening or soft launch in a key market, including branding, merchandising, and promotional activities
• Conducting a market audit to assess visibility, customer experience, and campaign effectiveness, and developing recommendations to improve performance
• Organizing a community activation event, including logistics, set-up, on-ground coordination, and performance tracking

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the hands-on, field-oriented nature of the role and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on Sun King's brand presence and sales momentum.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical day-to-day responsibilities for this role and how they may vary depending on the campaign or market?
• How does this role collaborate with other departments, such as sales or business development, to support Sun King's growth and expansion in Malawi?
• What opportunities exist for professional development and growth within the marketing and creative department or across Sun King's other departments?
• How does Sun King measure the success of trade marketing initiatives and campaign performance, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are most important for this role?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does it support employees working in remote or field-based roles?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, well-researched questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding Sun King's mission and culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, demonstrating your understanding of Sun King's mission and the Malawi market
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.