Area Sales Manager (Asizakhe Depot) needed at RCL Foods

Job Description    
At RCL FOODS we see and do things differently, we think bigger, work smarter and as a team collectively work towards achieving our ambition, to Grow What Matters!

RCL FOODS is seeking to employ an experienced Area Sales Manager. The role will report to the Divisional Sales Manager and will be based in Polokwane (Asizakhe Depot).

The main purpose of the role is to implement appropriate solutions in the form of value propositions to meet or exceed all sales goals, performance quotas, and process expectations in the assigned area and to provide tactical and operational management, supervision, and support to the area sales team.

Minimum Requirements    

• Degree in Management, Business Administration, and/or Marketing
• Valid code EB driver’s license.
• 3 to 5 years experience in a marketing and sales function that includes coordinating sales teams and managing complex and/or significant customer relationships.

Duties & Responsibilities 

Sales Management:

• Develop and execute the area sales strategy as aligned to the regional strategy.
• Generate leads regarding prospective contract opportunities and, together with the Regional Sales Manager, drive deal closure.
• Drive the area contribution to strategic and operational target achievement.
• Contribute to accurate area sales (volume and product) forecasting and ensure alignment to and input into the regional and national planning processes.
• Track area competitor activity and performance.
• Develop, implement and manage area marketing objectives.
• Drive horizontal and vertical growth opportunities.
• Constantly analyze statistics regarding the number of sales made in a given period, the resulting profits, and the need for new clients and products.
• Coordinate sales team promotional activities across the area.

Customer Relationship Management:

• Maintain and expand the customer base by building and maintaining good relationships with key customers and recognizing new customer opportunities.
• Understand key customers’ operations and strategies as well as their requirements and trends.
• Gather area market intelligence on national accounts and key regional accounts.
• Manage and coordinate area resources in line with customer plans to achieve strategic objectives (call planners, etc).
• Ensure the customer service policy is rigidly implemented and maintained.
• Resolve escalated customer queries and issues professionally and in the best interest of all parties.

Supply Chain and Distribution Management:

• Address area stock availability issues with depots.
• Oversee the area order-taking process.

Budget Management:

• Drive the achievement of the area sales budgets in terms of volume.
• Control area sales costs.

Area Team Management:

• Ensure the sales team creates demand-pull.
• Plan and schedule team training and monitor impact on performance.
• Organize and direct the area team towards the achievement of its targets and together with the team, identify sales goals, create and implement strategies, and evaluate performance.
• Accomplish area sales goals by orienting, instructing, assigning, scheduling, counseling, and disciplining staff.
• Address the job expectations of the staff.
• Plan, supervise, evaluate job contributions and provide regular feedback.
• Manage staff leave and general time management issues in line with organizational deliverables and standards.
• Ensure the accurate recording and maintenance of all employee information.
• Manage delivery against talent management action plans.
• Clarify roles and responsibilities for subordinates.
• Complete skills and competency matrices for all subordinates.
• Formulate/update job profiles for all subordinate jobs.
• Coach and mentor subordinates and potential successors.
• Develop and drive the training strategy.
• Develop and drive progression and career paths for subordinates.