Key Accounts Manager - Vans South Africa at Ares Holdings

Main purpose:   

• Responsible for focusing on building and optimising key accounts customer relationships with the goal of achieving sales and profit targets through effective planning, management, and execution.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 1: SALES MANAGEMENT

• Responsible for the creation of budgets and forecasts and door growth target and key account plans of the wholesale channel by territory and by key account.
• Management of sales pipeline and white space document to be constantly reviewed to ascertain market potential.
• Conduct seasonal reviews by key account.
• Work closely with marketing to identify trademark opportunities and incorporate into key account plans.
• Conduct store visits - own, customer and competitor - to review trends, customer specific issues and competitor activities to help formulate strategic plans and be proactive in reacting to market conditions.
• Conduct seasonal sell in meetings with key account customers to showcase new collections.
• Contract and trade term management, closure & compliance
• Category & Assortment planning responsibilities (incl. SMU’s & product briefing)
• Ensuring ranges are commercial and profitable
• Assisting in formulating commercial plans

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 2: STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Build effective relationships with key account wholesale customers.
• Provide stakeholders with recommendations on product mix and performance of the brand through analysis of sales reports.
• Proactively manage stakeholders against agreed SLA's.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 3: SUPPLY CHAIN AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

• Open order reports
• Order deadlines
• Placing orders
• Communication to global and local logistics on product movement.
• VAS requirements arranged via logistics.
• Regular communication and distribution reports ATS to customers.
• Cancellation & Reflow management

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 4: REPORTING

• Report monthly on the wholesale sales forecast.
• Seasonal analysis by key account.
• Quarterly business review reporting.
• To request regular sell out from key accounts.
• Formal competitor / market intelligence

VALUES:

• We believe in the power of brands and growing brands responsibly.
• We believe in developing and building our teams for the benefit of all stakeholders.
• We believe in continuous investment into our people and our business platforms.
• We care deeply about our environment and our people.

TECHNICAL AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

(Specific technical, functional, and professional skills, knowledge, abilities, attributes, and aptitudes that are required to be able to do this job well relative to the delivery of the Main Purpose and Key Accountabilities)

• Account Management: Ability to manage and grow key accounts, ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Sales Forecasting & Analysis: Strong skills in forecasting sales and analysing account performance.
• Negotiation: Expertise in negotiating contracts, pricing, and terms with key accounts.
• Product Knowledge: Deep understanding of product offerings and their fit for key accounts.
• Market Knowledge: Awareness of market trends, competitors, and industry developments.
• CRM Systems: Proficient in using CRM software to track account activities.
• Budget & Financial Management: Experience managing account budgets and meeting financial targets.
• Reporting & Analytics: Ability to generate and analyse performance reports.
• Problem-Solving: Quick resolution of issues related to delivery and customer service.
• Collaboration: Strong collaboration with internal teams to support key accounts.

 Closing Date 20 February 2026