Trade Marketing Manager Italy Consumer

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Trade Marketing Manager Italy Consumer

🔹 Company: Freudenberg Group

🔹 Location: Milan, Lombardy, Italy

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: June 30, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Strategic link between Marketing and Sales for effective brand execution at the point of sale
• Development and implementation of trade marketing plans, shopper marketing programs, and in-store/online activations
• Collaboration with sales teams to create impactful trade promotions and customized retailer solutions
• Data-driven decision making through sales performance monitoring and market analysis
• Leadership in category management, shelf management, and merchandising initiatives
• Budget management and ROI analysis for continuous performance improvement
• Cross-functional collaboration and best practice sharing with regional marketing teams

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of retail dynamics, shopper behavior, and channel strategies, as well as excellent communication and analytical skills.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Act as a strategic link between Marketing and Sales, ensuring effective execution of brand strategies at the point of sale across all relevant channels.

✅ Develop and implement trade marketing plans, shopper marketing programs, and in-store/online activations aligned with customer platforms (email, apps, loyalty programs).

✅ Collaborate with the sales team to create impactful trade promotions, POS materials, and customized retailer solutions to drive brand visibility, awareness, and sell-out.

✅ Monitor and analyse sales performance, customer KPIs, market data, and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities and guide go-to-market strategies.

✅ Lead category and shelf management initiatives, including the development of planograms, merchandising guidelines, maximize shoppability and logical adjacencies

✅ Provide strategic recommendations on product assortment, pricing, and promotion based on data insights and retailer needs.

✅ Develop compelling customer selling stories and coordinate line reviews to support top-line growth and product trial.

✅ Manage and track trade marketing and shopper marketing budgets, ensuring effective ROI analysis and continuous performance improvement.

✅ Build strong relationships with regional marketing teams and cross-functional stakeholders by sharing best practices, aligning on strategies, and presenting reports and country-specific insights to address local challenges.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple priorities and stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience: 5+ years of working experience with at least 3 years in trade marketing or category management within the FMCG industry.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of retail dynamics, shopper behaviour, and channel strategies.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of Nielsen/IRI data and CRM tools is a plus.
• Fluency in English

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the consumer goods industry.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the consumer goods industry and additional language skills may have an advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €55,000 - €70,000 per year (AI-estimated, based on market research and company size)

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Pension plan
• Employee discounts
• Professional development opportunities

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexibility for remote work on occasion

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on market research and company size. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and performance.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Freudenberg Group operates in the Motor Vehicle Manufacturing industry, with a focus on innovation, quality, and technology.

Company Size: With over 52,000 employees worldwide, Freudenberg Group is a large organization that offers extensive opportunities for career growth and development.

Founded: Freudenberg Group was founded in 1849 and has since grown into a global technology group with a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Company Description:

• Freudenberg Group is a global technology company that strengthens its customers and society long-term through forward-looking innovations.
• The company offers a wide range of products and services, including seals, vibration control components, technical textiles, filters, specialty chemicals, medical products, and cleaning products.
• Freudenberg Group is committed to diversity, inclusion, and strong customer orientation, with a focus on excellence, reliability, and proactive, responsible action.

Company Specialties:

• Innovation
• Quality
• Technology

Company Website: www.freudenberg.com

ASSUMPTION: Freudenberg Group's diverse product portfolio and global presence offer candidates the opportunity to work on various projects and gain exposure to different markets.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-senior level, requiring a balance of strategic thinking and tactical execution.

Reporting Structure: The Trade Marketing Manager will report directly to the Marketing Director and work closely with the Sales team, as well as regional marketing teams and cross-functional stakeholders.

Work Arrangement: This role is primarily on-site, with some flexibility for remote work on occasion.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a senior or management role within the marketing function.
• Expansion into other regions or business units within the Freudenberg Group.
• Development of leadership and management skills through mentoring and coaching opportunities.

ASSUMPTION: Given Freudenberg Group's global presence and diverse product portfolio, there are ample opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Freudenberg Group's Milan office is a modern, collaborative workspace that fosters innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s): Via dei Valtorta, Milan

Geographic Context:

• Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and a major economic hub, offering a vibrant cultural scene and numerous networking opportunities.
• The city is well-connected by public transportation, making it easy to commute from various neighborhoods.
• Milan has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and warm summers.

Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with some flexibility for remote work on occasion.

ASSUMPTION: Milan's vibrant cultural scene and networking opportunities may appeal to candidates who enjoy an active social life and professional networking.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final interview with the Marketing Director

Key Assessment Areas:

• Problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
• Data analysis and interpretation

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience in trade marketing, category management, or related fields within the FMCG industry.
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills and provide examples of data-driven decision-making.
• Showcase excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences relevant to the role and Freudenberg Group's values.

ATS Keywords: Trade Marketing, Category Management, Retail Dynamics, Shopper Behaviour, Channel Strategies, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Data Insights, Promotions, Planograms, Merchandising Guidelines, Customer Selling Stories, Budget Management, KPI Monitoring, Market Analysis

ASSUMPTION: Freudenberg Group uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen resumes, so including relevant keywords from the job description will increase the chances of being shortlisted.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Nielsen/IRI data
• CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with Nielsen/IRI data and CRM tools is a plus, but not a requirement. The successful candidate will be eager to learn and adapt to new tools as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation
• Quality
• Responsibility

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Data-driven and analytical
• Adaptable and responsive to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment?
• Are you comfortable working with data and using it to drive decision-making?
• Can you adapt to changing priorities and work effectively under pressure?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Freudenberg Group's values and work style will be more likely to succeed in this role and contribute to the company's success.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Adapting to changing market conditions and retailer needs
• Managing budgets and ensuring effective ROI analysis
• Working effectively with cross-functional teams and remote colleagues

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, adaptability, and effective communication.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other trade marketing roles, this position focuses specifically on the consumer goods industry and requires a strong understanding of retail dynamics and shopper behavior.
• Compared to other mid-senior level marketing roles, this position offers a unique blend of strategic and tactical responsibilities, with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Career progression in this role may involve expanding into other regions or business units within the Freudenberg Group, offering opportunities for international experience and exposure to diverse markets.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the consumer goods industry and a strong understanding of retail dynamics and shopper behavior may find this role particularly appealing.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a trade marketing plan to drive brand visibility and sell-out in a key retail account
• Analyzing sales performance data to identify growth opportunities and optimize promotional strategies
• Collaborating with the sales team to create customized retailer solutions and improve shelf management

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and tactical nature of the role, as well as the importance of data-driven decision-making and cross-functional collaboration.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the company's approach to innovation and how this role contributes to that process?
• How does the marketing team collaborate with the sales team to drive brand success?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and career growth within the Freudenberg Group?
• How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?
• Can you provide an example of a successful trade marketing campaign and the key factors that contributed to its success?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the company culture, team dynamics, and the specific requirements of the role.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences relevant to the role and Freudenberg Group's values.
• Prepare examples of your trade marketing or category management experience, highlighting your ability to drive brand success through data-driven decision-making and cross-functional collaboration.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.

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