Sales & Distribution Manager | South Africa | Permanent

Lead sales growth while optimising distribution in a dynamic FMCG environment. If you're a commercially driven leader with a passion for building high-performing teams and delivering operational excellence, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Our client is seeking an experienced Sales & Distribution Manager to drive sales volumes, expand market share, and optimise distribution across a defined territory. This strategic leadership role combines commercial management with supply chain execution, requiring someone who can balance customer service, operational efficiency, and profitability while leading large, diverse teams.

You'll play a critical role in developing sales strategies, strengthening customer relationships, identifying new market opportunities, and ensuring products are available where and when customers need them. Working closely with operational and distribution teams, you'll drive continuous improvement while delivering against ambitious growth targets.

Our client is a well-established leader within the FMCG sector, recognised for delivering quality products through an extensive distribution network. Their culture is built on performance, collaboration, innovation, and developing people to achieve sustainable business growth.

• Develop and execute sales strategies to grow market share and increase volumes.

• Lead and motivate sales and distribution teams to achieve business targets.

• Identify and develop new markets and sales channels.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and key retail partners.

• Monitor sales performance and implement corrective actions where required.

• Analyse customer trends, competitor activity, and pricing to identify growth opportunities.

• Ensure merchandising standards are maintained across all customer locations.

• Oversee distribution operations to maximise product availability and customer service levels.

• Optimise fleet utilisation, distribution resources, and operational efficiency.

• Manage returns, basket control, fleet performance, and point-of-sale materials.

• Drive continuous improvement across sales and distribution processes.

• Develop talent through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and employee development.

• Manage departmental budgets while ensuring cost-effective operations.

• Bachelor's Degree in Sales, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

• Minimum five years' management experience within an FMCG sales environment.

• Three to five years' experience in distribution, logistics, or supply chain planning.

• Strong commercial and financial acumen.

• Proven leadership experience managing large operational teams.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong negotiation and business development capability.

• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.

• Customer-focused with a passion for operational excellence.

• Sustainable sales growth and increased market share.

• High-performing, engaged sales and distribution teams.

• Improved customer satisfaction and service delivery.

• Efficient distribution operations with reduced operational losses.

• Strong commercial partnerships that support long-term business growth.

• Effective cost management while maintaining service excellence.