South Africa: Sales and Marketing – Bakery (Formal & General Trade, Chain Stores & Forecourts)

Key Responsibilities: Monitor Bakery sales volumes, revenues, and cost against forecasts to identify problem areas and re-allocate resources to improve the overall performance of the Bakery Sales & Depot Teams. Develop, cascade sales targets and inspire Bakery Sales & Depot Teams to achieve sales targets in line with overall sales objectives. Plan and prepare annual budgets and objectives as per volume growth expectations and all financial objectives. Adjust targets when necessary to minimize product return or gain participation in promotions. Develop sales strategies and manage day-to-day activities of the Bakery Sales & Depot Teams. Analyze daily Sales reconciliations and reports to ensure maximization on Bread & Confectionary Sales volumes. Analyze and synthesize market trends, main brands performance and main competitors performance to find growth opportunities as to ensure that the Company reach its Sales goals and targets. Develop well planned and organized sales presentations, using selling brochures, samples, customer records, market share information and other appropriate selling tools to encourage brands availability at informal, retail and wholesale markets as to meet consumer demand. Supervise the process of customer surveys to capture relevant market intelligence and identify the existing and new market routes in accordance with company expectations. Build and strengthen customer relations through regular operational reviews to ensure that product availability, distribution and opportunities are taken advantage of. Develop and implement a customer-oriented culture to ensure excellence and market leadership. Coordinate in accordance with the Distribution Controllers, efficient route planning to ensure profitability, route optimization and vehicle utilization. Motivate sales personnel by clearly defining job responsibilities, budgets and training them to achieve the agreed standards and budgets. Maintain an open flow of communication and provide feedback on performance and set targets, daily, weekly, and monthly. Attend meetings / social events in reasonable compliance with customers requests and prevailing business practices. Participate actively in the implementation and maintaining of ISO and Kaizen programs in order to contribute to company compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental Policies. Qualifications & Experience: Minimum Grade 12 / Matric; tertiary qualifications in Sales, Marketing, or Business Managment/Administration; 8 Years SALES experience in FMCG manufacturing of which 3 years MUST in a managerial role; Proven experience in sales, preferably in bakery product distribution; Experience dealing with formal trade, general trade, chain stores, and forecourts is highly desirable. Skills & Competencies: Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Customer-focused with a proactive sales approach. Ability to work independently and manage own territory. Strong organizational and time-management skills. Basic computer literacy (MS Office, CRM systems). Knowledge of bakery products and retail merchandising is an advantage. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Achievement of sales targets for assigned territory/accounts. Number of new accounts opened or developed. Stock availability and compliance with merchandising standards. Customer satisfaction and relationship management. Accurate reporting and administrative compliance.