ABOUT THE ROLE
The Regional Sales Manager is responsible for delivering on agent, customer, merchant and revenue growth targets through effective development and management of a distribution network. The role involves hands-on supervision of a 50+ person field sales/operational support team, ensuring teamwork and capability development, and delivering on commercial targets defined for each period.
To be successful you will need to be comfortable spending significant time in the field motivating the team and agents and driving both to exceed set targets. You must be someone with a strong ability to influence and work collaboratively with teams that do not report into you.
The ideal candidate must have a clearly-demonstrated track record in channel recruiting and management and should have produced meaningful sales revenues at a fast-moving consumer goods company or similar. The candidate must also have demonstrated skills in driving volumes through a channel, relationship building, monitoring and evaluating results to devise strategies. The candidate must also have demonstrated an ability to motivate a team, provide mentorship, and understand how to grow sales staff.
The successful candidate will also need to be someone who cares about others, relatable, trustworthy, takes initiative, calm under pressure, and have great communication skills – verbal, non-verbal, and written.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for providing leadership to the region by ensuring that the appropriate structures, systems, and competencies and sales values are developed to exceed revenue targets
Working via the field team to manage recruitment, activation and ongoing support of agents across the region
Delivering on revenue targets for all products through agent-related transactions
Selection, training, and ongoing performance management of regional staff
Focus on optimization of team performance, enhancement of morale and productivity
Drive collaboration (regional) with cross functional teams who support the activities of the agent network (Brand Strategy & Marketing, Product Development, Customer Experience, Finance etc.)
Budgeting and accounting for utilization of regional funds, human and material resources, and other assets
Keeping abreast of global trends and best practices relevant to the business, with a view to interpret and adapt same to fit our environment
Ensure regional stakeholders’ compliance with regulatory requirements and Company standards
Preparing weekly, monthly and annual operational and management reports
Overall leadership in the region, including representing the Company and its management when and as needed
KEY COMPETENCIES
Strong leadership
Excellent Analytical, tactical and strategic thinking
Strong ability to motivate, influence and advice people
Strong planning and organizational skills
Good understanding of northern state markets, consumer preferences and trends
Attention to detail
Initiative and curiosity
Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities
Good judgement and decision-making ability
Conflict resolution
Excellent communication skills – verbal, non-verbal and written
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree required
At least 5years of relevant experience in sales at an FMCG with at least regional management experience
Excellent knowledge of MS Office and sales tracking software
Must be able to work in a high-velocity, high performance environment.
Must be able to develop and communicate competitive landscape analysis
Ability to lead cross functional teams
A detailed understanding of the wholesale and retail distribution marketplace, including their potential customers, partner suppliers, and competitors. In addition, knowledge of what motivates and drives retailers in most northern states
Drive channel satisfaction improvement