Marketing Trainee (Checkers)

Marketing Trainee - Checkers

Role Purpose

The Marketing Trainee provides support to the Marketing Department by assisting with brand strategy execution, promotional planning, analytics, and day‑to‑day campaign coordination. The role helps drive customer‑centric marketing initiatives through research, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and effective project delivery to strengthen brand positioning and enhance customer value in a fast‑paced FMCG retail environment.

Role Description

Support Brand Strategy Execution

• Conduct marketing research and gather insights on customer behaviour, competitor activity, and industry trends.
• Assist in formulating and implementing annual brand plans for designated banners/divisions.
• Monitor and measure the effectiveness of marketing initiatives and campaigns.
• Contribute to developing new marketing concepts and tactical opportunities that support brand differentiation.

Assist with Marketing Communication & Campaign Alignment

• Align all campaign executions with the approved brand strategy, including look, feel, messaging, pricing, and product offer.
• Support the coordination and rollout of promotional activities and marketing materials.
• Manage day‑to‑day advertising tasks, ensuring timely delivery of content and collateral.
• Ensure media selections and placements comply with strategy and budget parameters.

Support Efficient and Effective Marketing Spend

• Assist with campaign budget management and tracking.
• Analyse historical sales and performance data to optimise timing, reach, and relevance of promotions.
• Monitor the utilisation and ROI of marketing activities.

Internal & External Stakeholder Engagement

• Foster strong working relationships with internal stakeholders including Buying, Store Operations, and Finance.
• Act as liaison between the business and external agencies (media, creative, production).
• Prepare and deliver clear briefing documents to agencies aligned to brand and business requirements.
• Participate in project planning, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring deadlines, cost parameters, and quality standards are met.
• Provide and receive continuous feedback to support continuous improvement.

Experience and Qualifications

• Grade 12 or matric certification (essential).
• Diploma in Marketing, Communications, Brand Management, Business or related field (preferred).
• +1 year experience in marketing, brand management, agency environment, FMCG retail or similar role (essential).
• Knowledge of marketing principles and practices.
• Basic understanding of consumer research and market analysis (essential).
• Foundational knowledge of branding, retail marketing, and digital channels (essential).
• Proficiency in MS Suite and digital tools (essential).
• Experience with retail promotions (preferred).

Key Competencies and Work Ethic

• A Collaborative team player- Able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, campaign managers, buyers, and the print production team. A team player, willing to share knowledge, and support colleagues to achieve common goals.
• Flexible and adaptive to deal with dynamic and fast-paced work environments. Able to work under pressure and effectively prioritise workload to respond to rapidly changing priorities and timelines. Able to handle unexpected challenges and adjust to new situations effectively.
• Solutions oriented - Proactively identifies and addresses issues and resourcefully find solutions.
• Communication and reporting skills with the ability to convey information and data clearly and accurately. Good written and verbal fluency in English.
• Motivated self-starter, with good energy and drive – Takes accountability for actions and mistakes. Handles sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Is client orientated and committed to providing a high-quality service. Ensures client needs are understood, assistance is provided, problems are timeously resolved, and expectations are met.
• Detailed and organised – Plans their work effectively, pays attention to detail and ensures expectations are met within time and standards. Follows procedures, carefully watches over work processes, tasks, and outputs to ensure accuracy, and quickly escalates any quality concerns.
• A willingness to learn and continuously improve skills in marketing, and staying up to date with industry trends, technologies, and best practices for further development.

Our Group and all its operating companies is committed to creating, embracing, and preserving a diverse workplace that values the unique talents, perspectives, backgrounds, and abilities that enrich our organisation. A place where everyone matters and feels included.

We are committed to Employment Equity when recruiting internally and externally.

Please take note that by responding to this application and providing your personal information, you confirm your express and informed consent for Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd and all its subsidiaries and affiliates companies to process your personal information for the Company to consider your application for this position. All Personal Information which you provide to the Company will be used and/or retained only for the purposes for which it is collected, whereafter it will be permanently destroyed. Your information is only retained if it is required by law or where you have given consent to us to retain such information for an extended period.

If you don't hear from us within 14 days, please consider your application unsuccessful. Any personal information collected as part of your application will be destroyed, securely, in accordance with South African legislation.