Managing Director at Human Destiny Executive Search and Recruitment

Job Summary:

The Managing Director will be responsible for developing and delivering the commercial P&L in a defined market. Principally focused on driving a stretch agenda, building the business both existing and new customers and supporting and motivating an excellent regional team. Delivering growth ahead of the footprint, this is a ‘hands on’ commercial leadership role which is fully integrated into the delivery of the EMEA business strategy and P&L. 

Purpose of the Role:

• Lead strategically and operationally our business in South Africa
• Lead and direct in-market JV and 3rd party partners thru the Commercial leaders to deliver P&L (Volume, NSV, GP, GM, A&P, BC and BC%), drive distribution and outperform the footprint in market share terms
• Achieve in the assigned market our Corporate Mission: “become the fastest growing  premium spirits company”, through sustainable and profitable growth which is reflected in the targets agreed and achieved with distributors
• Drive monthly/ quarterly performance review and forecasting
• Accountable for delivery and submission of stratplan, commercial plans, brand plans, budget and LE’s
• Commercial leadership, development and execution of the strategic direction for the market

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and direct the Market to beat the Plan (P&L, market share and distribution goals) and outperform the footprint via developing and executing business strategy
• Optimize RTM vehicles when the expected results are not being achieved
• Drive the Innovation agenda in close cooperation with the Brand houses
• Develop superior trust relationships with all distributors, customers, 3rd Parties brand owners and key stakeholders in their organizations.
• Conduct Quarterly Business Reviews with each Channel
• Build a close relationship with Finance, Operations and Customer Service Teams
• Report monthly in detail about market results
• Keep abreast of all laws, regulations and policies that govern each market
• Be aware of crisis management procedures and when to use it
• Ensure that organisation will operate within the appropriate laws and that any concerns are highlighted in a timely manner
• Ensure that all external communication (particularly media) is appropriate and cleared though Companies External Affairs team, as necessary
• Delegate responsibilities and supervise the work of executives providing guidance and motivation to drive maximum performance
• Read all submitted reports by lower rank managers to reward performance, prevent issues and resolve problems
• Analyze problematic situations and occurrences and provide solutions to ensure company survival and growth
• Provide energetic and constructive input into EMEA BU leadership group, ensuring overall business agenda is prioritized over regional agenda

Key Skills,Competencies and Experience:

• Strong Experience in the sales, marketing, trade marketing and distribution of beverage alcohol / FMCG on managerial position
• Experience with the management of joint ventures and 3rd party markets
• Strong market understanding for Europe and/or Africa
• Excellent, balanced and proven leadership and people management skills
• Commercial experience and negotiating skills, dealing with multiple contracts and close liaison with key customers
• Excellent interpersonal skills and awareness / ability to operate across different cultures
• Strong ability to influence on others and make them move in the desired direction
• Big Team Player and Team Builder
• Shows evidence of strategic thinking, global business view and being able to think outside the box
• Ability to spot consumer / trade emerging trend
• Feels comfortable with change and ambiguity
• Innovation mentality: products, formats, ways of working, promotions, partners…
• Highly self-driven, strongly action-oriented, very proactive, highly results-orientated and pragmatic with a flexible and positive ‘can do’ approach to work
• Makes things happen and makes this fast, leading the process and the different people / departments that need to be involved both externally and internally
• Excellent communication skills, including a high level of English and preferably a good knowledge of one or more local languages
• Proactively asks for feedback and reacts to it
• Knowledge of area markets and laws governing the spirits industry

Additional Requirements:

• Mature leader with significant sales and lobbying charisma and a strong personality; must be able to present the company and himself/ herself well
• Entrepreneurial thinking and acting
• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Team player, able to delegate tasks to subordinates and to monitor their actions in complex matrix environment
• Determined, target oriented, and able to work independently; with courage to challenge status quo
• Flexible and creative, driving changes
• Pragmatic and hands-on; being “in the fields” should be an important part of his/her work style - in order to combine strategy and execution on daily basis
• Smart and quick thinking with a decisive, commercially aware and customer focused approach
• As a leader, should strive to build a high performance and ethical culture aligned with global brand and cultural values
• Mobile and capable to travel

Key Relationships:

Internal:

• All functions within region
• Finance Team
• EMEA regional marketing teams
• Global and local Marketing Teams
• Operations and Supply Chain Teams
• Legal and Trademark Teams
• External Affairs & Communications.
• Human Resources team

External:

• Distributors in relevant markets
• Key marketing and promotional agencies, as appropriate.
• 3rd Party Brands