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About Us
Operating in nearly 40 countries across the world, our purpose is to be the best part of the journey. Whether our customers are flying abroad on holiday, heading off on a business trip or commuting to work by train, we aim to offer them food and drink experiences that meet their many different tastes and needs.

What You’ll Get from Us
Our Commitment to learning and development is our commitment to unlocking our people’s success. We strive to provide a wide range of resources that boost our people’s skills today, and help them fulfil their potential tomorrow. No matter where you join us, you’ll have all the tools you need to take charge of your development. Surrounded by like-minded colleagues and guided by industry experts, it’s your career, your way at SSP.

Trade Marketing Activation Manager

Role Summary

The Trade Marketing Activation Manager is a vital member of our Trade Marketing team within the wider Commercial group.

The Trade Marketing Activation Manager is tasked with activating all Supplier campaigns created by the Trade Marketing Managers and additionally contributing towards the achievement of the total budgeted Income through negotiating and implementing Supplier Terms and Agreements that also drive Sales performance.

The execution of Trade Marketing Activation encompasses the entire estate of Retail shops, Coffee and Bakery units, Pubs and Bars and some Franchise operations.

The incumbent should keep abreast of market dynamics, understand consumer behaviour and build close working relationships with a wide range of supplier partners, as well as possess the drive to negotiate and grow Supplier investment into SSP.

Main Responsibilities

  • Nurture and maintain strong relationships with Suppliers and key trade partners, working with them to showcase SSP network, understand Brand Plans, create shared objectives and develop marketing initiatives
  • Collaborate with the teams of each sales channel to execute Trade Marketing (TM) activations that align with business objectives
  • Create Activation Plans, manage the creation of marketing POS materials and allocations and create unit SharePoint posts for all Supplier Campaigns across the TM team. This includes securing Supplier marketing assets, Allocation Documents, Creative Services Briefs, Zi-Flow Approvals and managing the Unit Wrap execution process end-to-end
  • Own and maintain the TM Asset Matrix, Supplier Media Pack and Cutter Guides & Spec pack
  • Own all TM aspects of Safety Culture, working closely with Central Ops to drive unit Activation Compliance Complete campaign analysis on selected high-profile campaigns for use with negotiating increased Supplier investment
  • Analyse sales data, market trends and keep up to date on competitor activities
  • Work closely with Procurement to align on Supplier negotiations
  • Work closely with Finance to ensure all activity is invoiced in a timely manner
  • Track and forecast annual TM income for Suppliers within remit
  • Input into annual TM budget development proposal
  • Support organisation of the annual Supplier Conference to share SSP trading strategy, relationship build and grow TM investment into SSP from our suppliers

Key Working Relationships

External:

  • Suppliers
  • Contractors e.g. Matchams
  • Clients i.e. SSP landlords

 

Internal:

  • Wider UK Commercial Team (Commercial Analysts, OB Channel teams, Franchise)
  • Marketing team (NPD, Creative & Design)
  • Operations
  • Procurement
  • Finance
  • Property

Person Specification

Essential experience and skills:

  • Previous experience in a Commercial, Buying or Marketing role with solid understanding of Operations
  • Supplier relationship building and development skills
  • Ability to influence and negotiate internally and externally
  • Strong all round business acumen and understanding of sales drivers
  • Ability to spot opportunities and turn them into profitable activities
  • Ability to project manage multiple workstreams and priorities to ensure delivery of the strategy
  • Ability to drive decision-making through fact-based analysis
  • Experience of drawing out business insights from analysis and presenting findings and recommendations persuasively
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain strong working relationships both internally and externally
  • Good understanding of the operational reality in units e.g. environment, service, labour, waste, equipment, space and layout, ease of execution
  • Exceptional attention to detail whilst working collaboratively and at pace

 

Desirable skills / personal attributes:

  • Innovative and Curious - able to find new ways of doing things and challenge the status quo
  • Ability to build and work to a solid plan to achieve targets but not afraid to adapt to changes to take advantage of opportunities and quick wins as they arise 

 

Why Join Us

  • Employee Discounts across our brands (over 400 locations)
  • Friends and Family Discount App
  • Award-winning training, apprenticeships and development programmes
  • Health & Wellbeing support
  • Hybrid working model with flexibility for work–life balance
  • Inclusive and diverse workplace with employee networks and communities

 

Ready to start the best part of your journey?
Join us at SSP and play a key role in shaping the financial performance of our Rail Gourmet business - where your insight, collaboration, and ownership will help drive our success across the UK and beyond.

 

At SSP, we value diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects a range of backgrounds, skills and perspectives.

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