Job Description

Background of the Company

Lindt & Sprxc3xbcngli (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (Lindt SA) started operations in May 2011 and forms part of the Lindt & Sprxc3xbcngli group of companies. With more than 150 employees, Lindt SA is based in Cape Town with strong regional presence in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth and a network of 15 Lindt retail stores.

As global leader in the premium chocolate sector, Lindt & Sprxc3xbcngli looks back on a long-standing tradition of almost 175 years which takes its origins in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, quality chocolate products by Lindt & Sprxc3xbcngli are made at 12 owned production sites in Europe and the USA. The products are distributed by 28 subsidiary companies and branch offices, in around 500 Lindt shops and cafxc3xa9s, and also via a comprehensive network of more than 100 independent distributors around the globe.

Position Purpose

The position of Regional Sales Manager is a regional function, reporting directly to the Sales Director. To proficiently and effectively implement the Lindt key account and sales strategies, business plans and policies in order to achieve sales budgets and maximise profitability. This is to be achieved through effective planning, administration, communication, development of skills of the sales team, consulting and collaborating with company executives, pro-actively reviewing the outcomes of the companys sales efforts and the successful management and motivation of all regional sales staff.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Management & Management Reporting

• To achieve monthly sales targets and execute key account objectives through implementation of the sales strategies according to company and brand policy, guidelines and budget
• To manage, implement and monitor promotional pricing according to the key account and category management strategy by negotiate trading terms, promotions, co-op spends, promotional grids, pricing and new listings
• To negotiate and improve forward share in stores through pro-active key account trade visits and interactions
• To maintain regular/cyclical trade visits and ensure that the sales team execute brand/key account strategies accordingly
• To communicate best practice of trade initiatives and the key account strategy to the sales team to ensuring timeous and effective execution thereof
• To prepare monthly trade reports whilst monitoring competitor pricing
• To ensure stock levels are monitored, controlled and rotated whilst ensuring that dated stock are reduced and reporting on exceptions and out of stock
• To conduct and chair regular sales meetings
• To provide forecasting and reporting against sales budgets for the region as well as managing expense budgets
• To manage the performance of the regional merchandising agency (Meridian)

Staff Management

• To manage the performance and development of the sales team through regular formal evaluations ensuring that each individual as well as the sales team are aware of their achievements against targets
• To provide leadership that through effective communication motivates, coaches and mentors the sales team to optimum performance levels to ensure staff retention
• To assess training and development requirements of all sales staff and action essential interventions
• To ensure that all hand-held electronic devices are in working order and managed according to company policy and procedures and where necessary further training of sales team in the use of such devices
• To participate in staff selection and appointment as and when the need arises according to company policy and procedure

Skills and Knowledge

• Project management skills
• Ideas and solutions driven
• Confident, assertive self-starter with a drive for results and highly motivated
• Entrepreneurial spirit with good communication and negotiation skills
• Structured organisational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work in collaboration with agencies and customers
• Understanding of consumers, competitors and market dynamics
• Strong presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills (written and verbal)
• Extremely detail-oriented
• Excellent planning and computer skills
• Ability to work independently and within a team to communicate with team members and management on a daily basis
• Ability to be a team player in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

• Completed, relevant Bachelors degree
• A minimum of six years' relevant experience

Lindt and Sprungli (South Africa)