Midrand: National Sales Manager (FMCG Food Manufacturing)

Duties & Responsibilities: Sales Strategy & Execution Design and execute sales plans to grow snack category penetration across formal and informal retail. Align territory structures and call cycles with product launches, brand campaigns, and category trends. Champion shelf presence and planogram adherence to maintain parity with competitive brands. Team Leadership & Channel Oversight Manage in-house sales teams, Area Sales Managers, and support staff, ensuring clear KPIs and training protocols. Lead third-party merchandising partners in executing display standards, promotions, and returns. Conduct territory splits and market rotations to support field coverage and optimize delivery cycles. Key Accounts & Buyer Engagement Own senior buyer relationships across supermarket chains, convenience stores, and wholesale distributors. Negotiate listings, rebates, and promotional calendars tied to snack SKU velocity and category share. Implement structured engagement cadences with buyers to track sell-through and in-store compliance. Partner & Distribution Management Oversee third-party sales companies to maintain product freshness, merchandising frequency, and reporting discipline. Monitor logistics gaps and coordinate with the supply chain for backorder fulfilment and delivery escalation. Reporting & Performance Analysis Track snack SKU performance by channel, category, and region using ERP tools. Analyse pricing discrepancies, promo ROI, and competitor reactions to drive strategic adjustments. Deliver monthly dashboard reviews on GP margins, discount uptake, and retail audit scores. Financial Oversight & Pricing Execution Set target pricing ladders across snack categories, balancing margin protection with affordability. Lead phased price transitions in sensitive markets, supporting field teams with customer briefing tools. Approve customer discounts and trading terms based on volume, channel mix, and product grouping. Training, Execution & Compliance Roll out branded snack display guides, planograms, and product launch toolkits for all field teams. Uphold snack-specific merchandising SOPs, including freshness rotation, bundling strategies, and return protocols. Mentor Sales Reps and third-party merchandisers in storytelling, upselling, and visual merchandising excellence.