Country Manager South Africa at Shred-it

Job description

Do you want to work with experts in the industry in a dynamic work environment? When it comes to document destruction and information security, Shred-it is the industry leader. And there’s a reason we’re at the forefront of the industry: our commitment to security, customer experience and employee success. Whether you are in Sales or Operations you will work in an exciting, interesting high –energy environment that rewards performance and provides plenty of professional growth. Shred-it provides competitive benefits, salary, and training and an entrepreneurial spirit where all of our employees ideas matter.

The Country Manager is a member of Shred-it’s leadership team. The incumbent participates in setting the strategic direction for the Company, and provides input to long and short term (budget) planning for their region and the Company. The Country Manager is also responsible for optimizing the performance of the assets (investments/resources) and operations for the region and ensuring that each branch in the region achieves its specific goals (i.e. profits, sales goals, customer satisfaction, employee retention and satisfaction). The Country Manager is also responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key customers and accounts and supporting the acquisition and maintenance of National Accounts within the region. The Country Manager is also responsible for establishing a collaborative culture between the Shared Service Centre as well as the functional areas of the business, for their region.

The Country Manager is responsible for coaching the General and Shared Service Managers in the region to optimize their personal performance and individual development. The Country Manager maintains and enforces Shred-it’s policies, standards, and practices within the region and ensures consistent implementation and adherence to Shred-it’s Vision, Mission and Values. The Country Manager facilitates employee communications across the region, and reinforces Shred-it’s culture at all times, internally and externally.

STRATEGIC

• Participate in the development of the corporate and country strategic and operating plans and ensure the region, district and branch plans are aligned with these plans.
• Lead the development of the business plans for the region, including changes in business direction, long term objective setting, strategies, policies, processes, and standards, etc., as required.
• Work with the General Managers/Branch Managers / Operations Managers and Sales Managers to identify the market (sales and profits) potential of each geographic location in the region.
• Evaluate and define the longer term potential of the region, taking into consideration such key business elements as the customer base, sales goals, required investments in assets and resources, return on such investments, operations, communications etc.
• Develop and obtain corporate agreement to short term plans (annual budgets), to ensure achievement of the defined longer term potential of the market within the region.
• Execute initiatives that will effectively provide the resources and tactics that will ensure performance to plans for the branches and the district.
• Develop and implement strategies for profitable expansion to new markets and support the implementation of acquisitions, strategic partnerships, etc.
• Develop and implement strategies and plans for the offering of new products and services within the region.

Sales Management Responsibilities

• Execute company marketing techniques and materials to develop leads, secure new customers, maintain existing customers and promote Shred-it across the region.
• Provide coaching and support to the General Managers and the branch sales teams to achieve their planned sales targets. Ensure global and regional sales training programs are implemented.
• Personally develop and maintain relationships with key customers and prospective customers across the region, including National Accounts.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the market place realities across the region, including the competition.
• Monitor the effectiveness of branch marketing/sales initiatives to further penetrate the market and provide direction, as required
• Work with the General Managers to optimize the effectiveness of the Company investments in sales programs and initiatives.

Customer Service Responsibilities

• Ensure all service functions are successfully integrated into the business and are focused on achieving excellent customer service and cooperation with all branches
• Ensure each branch in the region is focused on achieving optimal customer service and branch revenue through the availability of the vehicles, consoles, supplies, communications, paper disposal facilities, vehicle servicing, etc.
• Ensure customer retention across the region and provide personal support, as required.
• Monitor customer satisfaction results for the region and ensure action plans are in place to deal with issues and opportunities.
• Ensure customer service training is implemented for all associates in the region.

Operations Responsibilities

• Ensure that Shred-it’s principles and standards are adhered to with respect to all resources, procedures and practices.
• Interface between corporate operations and branches to ensure the district and branches are able to achieve their annual and long term market potential as defined.
• Maintain communications and personal contact with the Managers/Supervisors and staff, as appropriate, to ensure the effectiveness of operations support.
• Monitor district and branch performance reporting and take action to rectify the causes of under-achievement in sales and profits.

General Responsibilities

• Ensure consistent implementation and adherence to Shred-it’s Vision, Mission and Values and function as a positive exponent of Shred-it to all constituents, at all times.
• Maintain and enforce Shred-it’s policies, standards, and practices within the region
• Work with the branch and shared service management teams to achieve effective resourcing, including staff, assets, and good will suppliers.
• Develop a performance agreement for each Manager/Supervisor that is aligned with the region and Corporate goals and objectives, regularly monitor individual performance and development, and take corrective action as required.
• Coach the branch management teams to achieve business plans and stretch goals
• Maintain superior communications and working relationships with all company functions to enhance the performance of the enterprise.
• Ensure that all financial objectives for the region (e.g., profit, revenue, accounts receivable, etc.) are achieved
• Update the VP (and other corporate management as appropriate) with respect to the performance of each branch
• Maintain external contacts through attendance at seminars, conferences, skills upgrading sessions, etc., to be aware of trends, “best practices” and external conditions (clients, competitors, business trends, new business developments, compensation rates and practices, outlets for shredded materials etc.), so as to benefit the incumbent and the Company.
• Espouses Shred-it culture at all times.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Leadership Success Profile

• Demonstrated leadership that guides and inspires
• Demonstrated strategic thinking
• Results oriented with a sense of urgency and passion for winning
• Strong coaching and people management skills with a focus on employee development
• Clear, consistent and reliable communicator
• Committed to total customer satisfaction
• Conscientious about integrity, credibility, social responsibility and respect
• Acts with courage and has demonstrated strong change leadership skills
• Innovative and creative problem solving capabilities

Functional Competencies

• Demonstrated successful leadership of a multiple branch/unit environment
• Proven leadership in successfully driving accelerated revenue growth
• Delivered strategic and tactical leadership initiatives within pre-determined deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to develop and realize business plans and budgets within a business unit environment
• Direct working experience with fleet management and routing systems
• Demonstrated expertise in initiating and managing successful business to business sales and service relationships
• Developed, implemented and delivered “excellent customer service” team culture
• Realized outstanding business unit results against determined objectives in:
• sales and sales management
• customer service and operations
• administration

Education and Experience

Undergraduate degree (Commerce and/or Business Studies preferred) with 12-15 years progressive leadership experience in a multiple business branch/unit environment

OR

MBA with a minimum of 10 years progressive leadership experience in a multiple business branch/unit environment

Other

• Available to travel (over 50%)
• Computer literate (business applications)
• Demonstrated experience of working overseas, ideally in South Africa, is preferred
• Must be eligible to work in South Africa