Area Sales Manager

Position: Area Sales Manager (Preferably Female) Industry: FMCG (Tobacco Manufacturing) Location: Enugu/ Port Harcourt, Nigeria Job Type: Full-Time Job Description (Summary) As the Area Sales Manager, you will work very closely with the Sales Director and will be responsible for all aspects of coordination and collaboration with the Sales Associates and the distributor on the sales and distribution operation and on the trade marketing field force deployment and monitoring in his coverage area. His/Her role is to ensure that distribution and merchandising strategy as well as the KPIs agreed upon with the Business Advisers and the distributor are being met. He/She will work closely with the Business Advisers and the distributor staff in the management and execution of trade and consumer activation programs as well as monitor implementation and competitive activity. Volume & Market Share delivery: Ensure volume & market share growth & deliver on area volume targets while reporting any changes/challenges to the Line Manager. Distributor Management: Working in liaison with the distributor staff; effectively managing the sales and marketing activities in the region in order to ensure the attainment of set objectives for our brands as set by management. Product Availability: Ensure 100% availability for the company products across all channels & locations in our market within my coverage area. Establish close contact and rapport with wholesalers/retailers/ HORECA owners to assist the region in meeting its objectives in terms of volume, distribution. SOM, market information and promotion programs. People Management & Leadership: Manage & lead a direct team of 5 people, the sales personnel based in other locations across my coverage area in different states. Coach, develop, motivate the sales team & ensure that all programmes are implemented with high quality. Ensure to create an enabling environment where talent is nurtured & results are recognised & rewarded. Reporting: Gather and disseminate accurate and timely market and intelligence information on the company and competitors activities in order to contribute to timeliness and quality of decisions being made by management by providing the line manager with daily, weekly, monthly updates with regards to all sales & marketing activities, photographs of trade activities, carry out audits on our stock availability. Responsible for effective implementation: Sales, distribution, merchandising, through effective territory planning & management & field force deployment. Monitors progress and recommends corrective action where necessary. Functional Skills: Distributor and field force planning and management Trade marketing and POC consumer activation Shelf space management Category management Field intelligence, data gathering, KPI monitoring / reporting Negotiation skills External environment (taxation, trade pricing, external / corporate relations, legal) Deep knowledge of Customer services Required Qualifications & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field. At least 7 years of total sales experience, Minimum of 2 years of managerial experience in sales & distribution / channel management / Implementation of consumer and Trade Marketing Plans. Proven expertise in trade marketing, distributor management, and customer service. Strong proficiency in English (written and verbal). Females are encouraged to apply.