Trade Executive

**Function**: Food Solutions CD

**Work Level**: 1C

**Reports to**: Regional Sales Manager - Trade

**Scope**: Local

**Location**: South Africa

**Terms & Conditions**: Full time

**ABOUT UNILEVER**

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people - we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

**UFS**

Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is the €2.5bn+ foodservice division of Unilever, across 22 Multi Country Organizations (MCOs) in 72 countries. It leads the dynamic food service market across its categories and has ambitious growth objectives. We service operators via providing solutions for restaurants, hotels, contract and independent caterers and Deli’s.

UFS is accelerating its digital transformation to fuel growth through data driven and technology enabled go-to-market capabilities.

**JOB PURPOSE**

As Trade Executive, you will be responsible to execute UFS customer engagement strategy offline & online with Trade Partner customers to deliver business growth targets ie. turnover, volume, reach & penetration.

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do - creating a better business and a better world. If you are a self-motivated, outcome driven sales individual, with a strategic and agile mindset then this role is just for you.

**WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE**(But not limited to)**:

- Accountable for delivering business target for the assigned territory/area/region and Customer P&L ie., turnover, volume, reach & penetration, eComm & digital targets.
- Build & Nurture relationships with trade, wholesalers (distributors) & its teams including DSRs.
- Develop, maintain, and execute customer account plans/joint business plans with trade partners including trade term agreement, sell out activities and DSRs & Trade team engagement with clear KPIs (Sell-out - Volume, Reach, Penetration, eComm)
- Ensure scorecards populated by BEX Data team are used in all planned customer reviews.
- Ensure trading terms are signed off and that scorecards are submitted timeously
- Submit Proof of Agreement of promotions tied up in trade for timely creation of rebate accruals to RSM
- Drive data sharing agreements with trade partners for SSD of offline/online sales out as per agreed UFS data roadmap.
- Focus on data driven opportunities in all sales out activities that can be effectively measured.
- Input of all planned customer activity into a UFS customer activity grid
- Use all data effectively, ie insights into actions into plans that enable increased turnover, volume, reach and penetration.
- Responsible for accurate forecasting based on planned sales in/out activity. Ensure activities and corresponding spend are given to RSM as part of S&OP process.
- Conduct financial analysis for planned sales in/out activity via ROI - OPSO and Promo Analysis and ensure that this is signed off by the relevant SOA approver.
- Focus on creation on brand awareness and portfolio opportunity at trade partner customer days and trade shows.
- Collaborate with Demand Creation Chefs for Trade Partner/DSR Culinary trainings needed.
- Use data driven recommendations for cross selling.
- Drive engagement for trade partners as per defined contact strategy for the assigned territory ie., Performing F2F calls (and virtual when needed) via local CRM tool.
- Close collaboration with trade/RTM team to ensure implementation of promotions by ensuring adequate stock availability and customer related activity to drive sell-out.
- Negotiating trade terms including secondary displays, primary share of shelf & other in-store activity to aggressively drive sales out with trade partners.
- Monitor stock FIFO implementation, aging and align actions with distributor Trade & DSRs to minimize business waste.
- Have a deep understanding of the competitor landscape and track pricing, in market activity and new launches
- Ensure timely submission & settlement of distributor claims (with appropriate supporting documents) from trade partners.

**Experiences & Qualifications**

**Minimum**:

- Relevant Sales Qualification
- 2-3 years of working experience in similar function in FMCG
- Proven track record in sales, preferably in the Foodservice Industry

**Preferred**:

- Industry knowledge for trade customers (RTM Customers)
-