Sales & Distribution Manager | South Africa | Permanent

Lead commercial growth while driving operational excellence across sales and distribution. If you're an experienced FMCG leader who thrives on building high-performing teams, expanding markets, and delivering exceptional customer service, this opportunity is for you.

Our client is seeking an experienced Sales & Distribution Manager to lead sales growth and optimise distribution across a defined territory. This strategic role requires a commercially astute leader who can balance customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and profitability while ensuring products are consistently available across the market. You'll be responsible for developing sales strategies, managing distribution resources, identifying new business opportunities, and leading teams to exceed performance targets.

Join a well-established organisation within the FMCG and bakery sector that is recognised for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service. This business offers an environment where strong leadership, continuous improvement, and operational excellence are valued and rewarded.

• Develop and execute sales strategies to increase market share and drive sustainable revenue growth.

• Lead and inspire sales and distribution teams to consistently achieve business objectives and KPIs.

• Identify and develop new markets, sales channels, and commercial opportunities.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, retailers, and key stakeholders.

• Monitor sales performance and implement corrective actions where required.

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

• Ensure merchandising standards align with customer expectations and brand requirements.

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

• Oversee fleet utilisation, returns management, point-of-sale material, and basket control.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across sales and distribution processes.

• Manage operational budgets and trade spend while maintaining cost efficiency.

• Lead performance management, succession planning, coaching, and development of sales and distribution teams.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, employment legislation, and operational standards.

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

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

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

• Proven ability to lead large, high-performing operational teams.

• Strong commercial, financial, and analytical capability.

• Excellent business development and negotiation skills.

• Strong customer relationship management experience.

• Exceptional communication and leadership abilities.

• Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.

• A proactive, results-oriented approach with a passion for operational excellence.

• Consistent achievement of sales growth and profitability targets.

• Increased market share through new business development and customer retention.

• High-performing sales and distribution teams delivering against KPIs.

• Efficient distribution operations with improved customer service levels.

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

• Effective cost management while maintaining operational excellence and product quality.