Key Account Sales Manager – Retail & Distribution

About the role

E‑XHALE, a fast‑growing nicotine and vaping distributor in South Africa, is looking for a commercially driven Key Account Sales Manager to own and grow its most important retail relationships across the country.

Key responsibilities

• Own the day‑to‑day relationship with assigned national key accounts – buyers, category managers, accounts payable and store operations teams.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for queries, claims, short deliveries and credit‑note resolution.
• Conduct regular buyer visits and business review meetings, at least monthly for top‑tier accounts.
• Drive volume growth through improved ranging, secondary placement and promotional activity.
• Identify and convert new listing opportunities, including new stores, SKUs and seasonal ranges.
• Negotiate trading terms, promotional support and listing fees within approved commercial frameworks.
• Monitor sell‑through data, flag under‑performing SKUs and prepare business cases for new listings.
• Manage end‑to‑end drop‑shipment submission, invoicing, proof‑of‑delivery and reconciliation for accounts such as SPAR and Pick n Pay.
• Track overdue invoices, proactively contact accounts and work with finance to resolve deductions and credit notes.

Required profile

• Commercially motivated with strong relationship‑building capabilities.
• Organised, data‑literate and comfortable negotiating with national buyers.
• Able to balance strategic planning with hands‑on shop‑floor execution.
• Excellent communication skills for both senior buyer meetings and on‑site planogram checks.

Required skills

• Data analysis and reporting.
• Negotiation of trading terms and promotional support.
• Knowledge of drop‑shipment processes and invoice reconciliation.