National Sales Manager at Ares Holdings

Job Summary

To lead and develop a high performance, customer-centric team that focuses on building and optimising customer relationships at all levels with the goal of achieving sales and profit targets through effective planning, management and execution. 

National Sales & Account Management

• Responsible for the creation of budgets and forecasts for the Wholesale business within territory and by Key Accounts, SIS, elite accounts, speciality and independent
• Constant input of sales pipeline (Matrix) document to be constantly reviewed to ascertain market potential
• Along with merchandising, keep product line tight and efficient, ensuring responsible segmentation by end-use and G.B.B tiering with full head to toe + accessories buy-in per account
• Support trade marketing with a collaborative effort and effective communication of vision and strategies always to drive VM excellence, training, in-stock guidance per customer, potential up selling and relationship development
• 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
• Responsible for building key account plans for all major accounts
• Foster good relationships with all customers, assisting them with growth strategies and suggestions for expansion, planning and in stock programs within their business
• Foster on-going professional relationships with existing customers and sales force, creating a culture of consultative selling, monitoring sell through data, replenishment suggestions to maximise sales, promotion suggestions, seasonal planning
• Ensure customers meet order commitments
• Deal promptly and creatively with escalated queries and complaints from customers
• Attend international and National sales conferences and product meetings

Brand Management

• Together with marketing, ensure the brand is positioned in accordance with global strategies
• Seek out and manage marketing opportunities within the region
• Ensure the successful implementation of the national campaigns
• Work with marketing to maximise and leverage brand opportunities
• With the assistance of Vans visual merchandising, ensure the brand is presented efficiently and in an appealing way throughout the country

Requirements

• Tertiary qualification in Sales and Marketing
• Minimum 8 years' working experience within a South African Retail business or similar sales environment
• MS Office proficiency
• Ability to travel as and when necessary (local and international)
• Valid driver's license and own car essential
• Strong customer first centric focus and flexibility in approach
• Ability to work under pressure
• Driven to set and achieve ambitious KPIs
• A strong understanding of brands and the sports apparel and footwear industry
• Good time management and reliable
• Proven ability to maintain tight budget controls
• Resilience, astuteness and exceptional negotiation skills
• Ability and experience in managing a dynamic, diverse and decentralised team
• Proactive