Sales Representative (Eastern Cape)

Employment Type: Fixed-term contract (with potential for permanency subject to business requirements and performance)

Sector: FMCG Manufacturing – Confectionery

Location: Eastern Cape (Port Elizabeth based servicing the Eastern Cape)

Reports to: National Sales Manager

Purpose of the Role

This position is initially offered on a fixed-term contract, with any potential transition to permanent employment subject to business requirements and individual performance.

The Sales Representative will be responsible for driving regional sales performance across a large territory covering the Eastern Cape, with a primary base in Port Elizabeth. This role focuses on growing market share within the FMCG wholesale environment, building strong customer relationships, and consistently achieving monthly and annual sales targets. The position requires an independent, target-driven individual with the ability to manage the full sales cycle, identify new business opportunities, and provide valuable market insights to support organisational growth.

Product Portfolio & Market Context

The role focuses on growing the company’s confectionery product portfolio, which includes hard candy, bubblegum, lollipops, and seasonal promotional lines. The Sales Representative will ensure strong presence and visibility of these products across wholesale and distributor networks within the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive sales growth and expand market share across the wholesale channels.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with customers, distributors, and key decision-makers.
• Identify new business opportunities and convert them into sustainable revenue.
• Achieve monthly and annual sales targets and report performance against KPIs.
• Conduct regular market visits and gather competitor intelligence and pricing insights.
• Implement sales strategies to increase brand visibility and product penetration.
• Provide feedback to management regarding market trends, opportunities, and risks.
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly sales reports.
• Ensure exceptional customer service levels and rapid resolution of queries or escalations.

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Strong negotiation, persuasion, and relationship-building ability.
• High energy, self-motivation, and strong drive for performance.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Strong problem-solving and commercial thinking ability.
• High level of professionalism, resilience, and adaptability.
• Ability to prioritise, plan, and manage multiple customer interactions.

Experience & Qualifications

• Matric / Grade 12 (essential).
• Minimum 3 years’ FMCG wholesale sales experience (essential).
• Proven track record of achieving and exceeding sales targets.
• Strong knowledge of wholesale distribution environments.
• Valid driver’s licence and own reliable vehicle (essential).
• Ability to travel extensively across the Eastern Cape (essential).

Other Requirements

• Must currently reside in Port Elizabeth.
• Willingness to travel extensively, including occasional visits to the Johannesburg office.
• Comfortable managing a large geographic sales territory requiring frequent long-distance travel.
• Ability to work flexible hours including weekends when required (aligned with FMCG demands).
• Ability and willingness to work overtime as and when required based on operational needs.

Key Performance Areas (KPA’s)

• Achievement of monthly and annual sales targets.
• Territory growth and expansion of wholesale customer base.
• Strong customer satisfaction and relationship retention.
• Accurate and timely reporting (sales performance, competitor insights, pricing).
• Contribution to improved brand visibility and market penetration.

Sales Activity Expectations (KPIs)

To support high-performance sales execution, the following activity-based KPIs will be monitored and reviewed regularly:

• Weekly call cycles across key wholesale and distributor accounts.
• Achievement of territory coverage targets across the Eastern Cape.
• Growth in product distribution and numeric availability.
• Execution of in-store merchandising standards and promotional visibility.
• Timely submission of call reports, market intelligence, and competitor insights.

Benefits

• Monthly Basic Salary: R39 000 per month
• Competitive Sales Commission linked to Sales Targets
• Petrol Card for business travel
• Cell Phone Allowance
• Vehicle Insurance
• Medical Aid
• Provident Fund