Area Sales Manager - FMCG - JHB Pretoria

SUMMARY:
Area Sales Manager - FMCG - JHB Pretoria

POSITION INFO:
Area Sales Manager - FMCG - JHB Pretoria Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng - covering Gauteng & Northern Areas, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and SADC Reports To: Managing Director Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent Remuneration: Market related, Competitive ABOUT US We are an innovative and forward-thinking South African beauty and personal care company. With over 20 years in the industry and an unwavering focus on people and product, we are a dynamic and diverse organisation. Through relationships built over many years, our global business extends to the USA, UK, EU, Middle East, Africa and Australia. We design, manufacture and market our own branded haircare, bodycare and skincare ranges. OUR PURPOSE & VISION Our Purpose To enable the lives of our consumers, suppliers, partners and team to be bettered through our products and personal engagements. Our Vision To be brand leaders in the Health and Beauty industry, with a focus on skin, hair and body products that are benefits driven, ethically sourced, and made in Africa by our diverse team. THE ROLE We are looking for a driven, growth-orientated Area Sales Manager to take ownership of our Gauteng & Northern Areas, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and SADC territory. This is a mid-senior sales role with a clear mandate: grow revenue within our existing formal and independent trade customer base, and win new business across the region. You will be the key link between us and our trading partners, building relationships that protect and grow existing accounts, while actively prospecting, pitching and onboarding new customers in formal trade (retail chains) and independent trade. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Grow sales revenue within the existing customer base across formal trade and independent trade throughout Gauteng & Northern Areas, Free State, KZN and SADC countries. Identify, prospect and secure new customers and distribution opportunities within the territory, in both formal and independent trade channels. Develop and execute a territory sales strategy and call cycle that delivers against monthly, quarterly and annual sales targets and budgets. Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key accounts, merchandisers, distributors, wholesalers and independent retailers. Conduct regular account reviews, understand each customer''s needs, and proactively resolve concerns to protect customer satisfaction and retention. Negotiate trading terms, pricing and in-store promotional activity in line with company strategy and margin requirements. Plan and execute trade marketing initiatives and in-store brand activations within the territory, in collaboration with the marketing team, to strengthen brand visibility and drive sell-through. Coordinate and direct regional merchandiser activity to ensure in-store execution, planogram compliance and activation standards are maintained. Manage and grow cross-border sales into SADC markets. Monitor market trends, competitor activity and consumer preferences within the haircare, bodycare and skincare categories. Maintain accurate CRM records, pipeline data, call reports and territory sales forecasts using company systems and MS Excel. Liaise closely with marketing, supply chain and customer service teams to ensure customer and product needs are met. Represent the brand at trade shows, customer meetings and in-store visits. Travel extensively and regularly across the territory, including overnight and cross-border travel as required. REQUIREMENTS Minimum of 7 years'' sales experience, ideally within FMCG, beauty, personal care or toiletries, with a proven track record in both account management and new business development. Demonstrated experience selling into formal trade (retail chains) and independent trade. Experience in, or exposure to, SADC \/ cross-border sales advantageous. Sound knowledge of the South African retail, wholesale and independent trade landscape. IT proficient - confident user of MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and CRM\/sales reporting systems. Growth-orientated with a strong new business hunting instinct, balanced with the relationship skills to grow existing accounts. Excellent negotiation, presentation and communication skills. Strong analytical and reporting ability; comfortable working with sales data and targets. Valid driver''s licence and own reliable vehicle, with willingness to travel extensively across the territory. Valid passport with no travel restrictions, given regular travel into SADC countries. Relevant tertiary qualification in Sales, Marketing or Business advantageous. Based in, or willing to relocate to, Johannesburg \/ Pretoria. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Driven, passionate and results-focused. Hardworking with high motivation and energy. Strong relationship builder who also thrives on winning new business. Reliable, trustworthy and a strong team player who can work independently. Good attention to detail and resilient under pressure. Remuneration Negotiable and market related within a premium brand. If you are a driven, self‑managing sales professional with deep FMCG\/Retail experience, we would love to hear from you. All eligible candidates are encouraged to send ONLY their updated CV's in Word or PDF format to