Trade Marketing Sr. Manager-VET

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Trade Marketing Sr. Manager - VET

🔹 Company: Mars

🔹 Location: Shanghai, China

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 7, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and implementing channel strategies for Mars' VET pillar, both online and offline.
• Managing commercial planning and ensuring high ROI and profitability through GTN and A&CP management.
• Setting up channel execution guidelines and process management for monitoring.
• Collaborating with diverse and talented associates, guided by Mars' Five Principles.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and experience in trade marketing and channel management within the pet care industry.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Channel Strategy Development: Responsible for setting the VET Pillar channel strategy for both online and offline channels, including omni-channel development.

✅ Commercial Planning & Profitability Management: Own commercial planning of Vet pillar and manage GTN and A&CP to ensure high ROI and profitability.

✅ Process Management: Set up channel execution guidelines and process management for monitoring channel performance.

✅ Customer/Channel Segmentation: Segment customers and channels to build profitable business models.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, hands-on execution, and stakeholder management. It requires a data-driven approach and the ability to work cross-functionally.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field. MBA is a plus.

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in trade marketing, channel marketing, or a related role within the pet care or FMCG industry.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in channel development and strategy setting.
• Strong commercial acumen and key customer management experience.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with Mars or a similar multinational corporation.
• Knowledge of the Chinese pet care market.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI).

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the pet care industry and familiarity with Mars' products and culture will have a competitive advantage.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a senior manager role in Shanghai, the estimated salary range is ¥350,000 - ¥500,000 per year. This is an estimate and the actual salary may vary based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Learning and development support, including access to Mars University.
• Company bonus.
• Other benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, and employee discounts.

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard office hours (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM). Occasional overtime may be required.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Mars operates in the competitive and growing pet care market, with a focus on premium pet food and treats.

Company Size: Mars is a large, multinational corporation with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for career growth and development.

Founded: Mars was founded in 1911 by Franklin C. Mars and is still family-owned. It has a rich history and a strong commitment to its Five Principles.

Company Description:

• Mars is a global leader in pet care, with iconic brands such as PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, and ROYAL CANIN®.
• The company is committed to creating a better world for pets through its products, services, and initiatives.
• Mars is known for its strong company culture, guided by its Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom.

Company Specialties:

• Pet care (pet food, treats, and health services).
• Human health (food, drinks, and confectionery).
• Agribusiness (petcare, food, and ingredients).

Company Website: Mars.com

ASSUMPTION: Mars' large size and global presence offer opportunities for international assignments and career progression. However, the company's culture is also highly collaborative and values-driven, providing a supportive work environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This is a senior manager role, reporting directly to the VET Pillar Director. It offers significant responsibility and the opportunity to make a strategic impact on Mars' business.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the VET Pillar Director and works closely with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and operations.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site role based in Shanghai, with occasional travel required for meetings and events.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a director-level role within the VET pillar or another Mars business unit.
• International assignments within Mars' global network.
• Broadening of responsibilities through special projects or cross-functional collaborations.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a clear path for career progression within Mars, given the company's size and global presence. However, success in this role will depend on the candidate's ability to deliver results and build strong relationships within the organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Mars' Shanghai office is a modern, collaborative workspace with a focus on employee well-being and productivity.

Office Location(s): The role is based at Mars' Shanghai office, with the exact address provided upon request.

Geographic Context:

• Shanghai is a major global city with a vibrant business environment and a large pet care market.
• The city offers a high standard of living, with excellent dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions.
• Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers.

Work Schedule: The role follows a standard Monday to Friday workweek, with core hours from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: Shanghai offers a dynamic and exciting work environment, with a large talent pool and a thriving business ecosystem. However, the city's fast-paced nature may require a higher level of adaptability and resilience from employees.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application review (2-3 weeks).
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager (30-45 minutes).
• On-site interview with cross-functional stakeholders (2-3 hours).
• Final interview with the VET Pillar Director (30-45 minutes).

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and channel development expertise.
• Commercial acumen and profitability management skills.
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management abilities.
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Application Tips:

• Highlight your relevant experience in trade marketing, channel management, and commercial planning.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your fit with Mars' Five Principles and the specific requirements of this role.
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and adaptability.

ATS Keywords: Trade Marketing, Channel Strategy, Channel Development, Commercial Management, Key Customer Management, Profitability Management, Process Management, Customer Segmentation, Mars, Pet Care, FMCG, Shanghai

ASSUMPTION: Mars' recruitment process is thorough and competitive, with a strong focus on cultural fit and strategic alignment with the company's goals. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their relevant experience and skills in detail.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI).
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello).
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack).

ASSUMPTION: While specific tools and technologies may vary based on the role and team, Mars is a modern, digitally-enabled organization that leverages a range of collaboration and productivity tools to support its employees.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Quality: The consumer is our boss, quality is our work, and value for money is our goal.
• Responsibility: As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as Associates, we support the responsibilities of others.
• Mutuality: A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure.
• Efficiency: We use resources to the full, waste nothing, and do only what we can do best.
• Freedom: We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free.

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on cross-functional collaboration.
• Results-driven, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality work and achieving business objectives.
• Adaptable and resilient, with a willingness to embrace change and learn from setbacks.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody Mars' Five Principles in your daily work?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment?
• How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with cross-functional stakeholders?

ASSUMPTION: Mars' company culture is highly values-driven, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, responsibility, and mutual benefit. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their alignment with these values and their ability to thrive in a collaborative, results-driven work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple stakeholders and competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Navigating Mars' large, complex organization and building effective relationships across functions and geographies.
• Adapting to Mars' unique company culture and learning to operate within its specific systems and processes.
• Balancing the demands of the role with personal and family responsibilities.

ASSUMPTION: While Mars offers significant opportunities for growth and development, the role also presents challenges that require strong adaptability, resilience, and stakeholder management skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike related roles in other companies, this role offers the opportunity to work for a family-owned, values-driven organization with a strong global presence.
• Compared to other senior marketing roles in the pet care industry, this role offers a unique blend of strategic and operational responsibilities, with a strong focus on channel development and commercial planning.
• In terms of career path, this role offers a clear path for progression within Mars, with opportunities for international assignments and broader responsibilities.

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other senior marketing roles in the pet care industry, its unique blend of responsibilities and Mars' distinctive company culture make it a compelling opportunity for the right candidate.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a new omni-channel strategy for a key Mars pet care brand, resulting in a 15% increase in sales and a 20% improvement in profitability.
• Conducting a comprehensive customer segmentation analysis for a major pet care retailer, leading to targeted marketing campaigns that drove a 25% increase in customer engagement and a 10% increase in sales.
• Managing a cross-functional team to launch a new pet care product line, including channel strategy development, commercial planning, and launch execution, resulting in a successful product launch and achieving 110% of sales targets in the first year.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and operational nature of the role, as well as the opportunity to make a significant impact on Mars' business through effective channel development, commercial planning, and cross-functional collaboration.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the VET pillar, and how this role fits into the broader organization?
• How does Mars support the professional development and career growth of its employees, particularly in senior roles?
• Can you provide an example of a time when Mars' company culture or values had a significant impact on a business decision or outcome?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?
• How does Mars approach work-life balance, and what resources are available to support employees in managing their personal and professional responsibilities?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the role's specific requirements, Mars' company culture, and the opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Mars Careers portal.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills, and explain how you align with Mars' Five Principles.
• Prepare for your interview by researching Mars' company culture, values, and business, and practicing your responses to common interview questions.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the role and ask any remaining questions.

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