Trade Marketing Manager

This role is responsible for leading Trade Marketing strategy and execution across Hard Goods and Soft Goods categories, driving brand visibility, consumer engagement, and sell-through performance across Wholesale and Retail channels in Japan. It serves as the key link between Marketing and Sales, ensuring that product, brand, and channel strategies are translated into compelling consumer experiences and retail execution. The Trade Marketing Manager works closely with Product Marketing, Sales, Brand Marketing, Retail, and E-commerce teams to develop and implement integrated trade marketing initiatives.

• Develop and lead Trade Marketing strategies for both Hard Goods and Soft Goods categories, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives, product strategies, and channel priorities.
• Collaborate closely with Product Marketing, Sales, and Brand Marketing teams to create annual Trade Marketing plans that enhance consumer engagement, strengthen retail partnerships, and drive sustainable business growth.
• Adapt global initiatives to meet local market needs while developing Japan-specific activation programs that improve commercial effectiveness.
• Lead retail and wholesale activation strategies across all customer touchpoints to ensure a consistent and premium TaylorMade brand experience.
• Drive initiatives including visual merchandising, in-store communication, promotional campaigns, retail displays, point-of-sale materials, and customer-specific activation programs to increase brand visibility and maximize sell-through performance.
• Partner with key accounts and retail stakeholders to establish best-in-class retail execution standards throughout the market.
• Support business growth by identifying opportunities through market analysis, sales performance reviews, competitive benchmarking, and consumer insights.
• Partner with Sales teams to improve both sell-in and sell-through performance through effective promotional planning, retail activation, and channel-specific marketing initiatives.
• Drive cross-category programs and consumer engagement opportunities that support overall TaylorMade business growth, including opportunities across Hard Goods, Soft Goods, and Ball categories.
• Oversee the development and execution of Trade Marketing assets, including promotional materials, visual merchandising tools, point-of-sale communication, event materials, and retail marketing programs.
• Manage external agencies, production partners, and vendors to ensure all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with brand standards.
• Maintain strong project management discipline while driving operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Lead and develop the Trade Marketing team by providing coaching, performance management, and professional development opportunities.
• Build organizational capability by establishing best practices, improving ways of working, and fostering collaboration across Marketing and Sales functions.
• Develop future Trade Marketing talent and contribute to succession planning within the organisation.

• Strong understanding of Trade Marketing, Retail Marketing, Sales Promotion, Category Management, and Commercial Marketing principles.
• Proven ability to develop and execute integrated marketing programs across multiple categories and sales channels.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with experience using market data and business insights to support decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Trade Marketing, Retail Marketing, Sales Promotion, Category Management, Sales, or related commercial functions.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively across functions is essential.

• Business-level English communication skills are preferred.
• Experience managing multiple product categories and sales channels is preferred.
• Experience within sporting goods, golf, apparel, retail, lifestyle, or consumer goods industries is highly desirable.
• Previous experience managing people, budgets, and key customer relationships is preferred.

• This position operates primarily in a standard office environment and requires regular use of computers, communication tools, and business applications.
• Domestic travel may be required to support customer meetings, retail visits, sales events, product launches, trade shows, and internal business meetings.