Area Sales Manager – Johannesburg South

About the role

The Area Sales Manager will lead all sales activities in the Johannesburg South region, driving profitability and growth in line with the organisation's strategic objectives. This role combines market analysis, team leadership, and close collaboration with operations, logistics and marketing to ensure seamless execution of sales plans.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement 90‑day sales plans for the assigned area, capturing all sales potential.
• Set and monitor sales goals, KPIs and targets to achieve volume, value and market‑share growth.
• Forecast future sales trends using market analysis and historical data.
• Conduct market research to identify new opportunities, track competition and stay abreast of industry trends.
• Manage distributor performance, budgets, promotions and pricing to optimise costs.
• Coordinate with warehouse, logistics and third‑party merchandising to ensure on‑time delivery and trade execution.
• Lead, coach, hire and mentor the sales team, establishing KPIs, providing feedback and conducting performance evaluations.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to align campaigns with sales strategies and generate qualified leads.

Required profile

• Proven experience in managing a sales team and delivering measurable growth.
• Strong analytical ability to interpret sales data, forecasts and market research.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills across internal and external partners.
• Ability to drive a high‑performance culture through incentives, recognition and coaching.

Required skills

• Proficiency with Business Intelligence (BI) tools for reporting and analysis.
• Experience using Distribution Management (DRM) systems.
• Knowledge of bakery scorecard reporting and daily sales reporting.