Sales Lead: Gauteng at PepsiCo

Sales Lead: Gauteng

• We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Sales Lead to take full accountability for sales performance across our Gauteng Bakeries Cluster, including Modern Trade (MT) and Traditional Trade (TT) channels. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and executing robust sales strategies that drive revenue growth, enhance customer experience, and meet or exceed Annual Operating Plan (AOP) targets. This role also involves leading and developing a high-performing sales team and managing distributor relationships to ensure operational excellence and market competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement actionable 90-day sales plans aligned with business priorities.
• Set and cascade clear sales goals and KPIs for the cluster, ensuring alignment with SASKO’s strategic objectives.
• Conduct comprehensive market analysis and historical data review to forecast future sales trends accurately.
• Identify untapped sales potential across all cluster areas and routes.

Market Intelligence & Execution

• Lead market research initiatives to track industry trends, customer needs, and competitor activity.
• Develop and execute customer-centric strategies to increase revenue and expand market share.
• Create and maintain an active trade calendar to ensure effective promotional execution.

Performance Management

• Monitor and drive sales team performance against set KPIs.
• Ensure distributor performance is tracked, optimised, and aligned with cost and service expectations.
• Oversee sales budget management, including promotional spend and pricing strategies, ensuring commercial effectiveness.
• Business Development & Customer Relationship Management
• Acquire new business through micro-market development and strategic targeting.
• Drive customer retention and growth via loyalty programmes and tailored value propositions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, ensuring top-tier service and partnership growth (WEC – Win Every Customer).

Qualifications

What will qualify you for the role?

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related commercial discipline is essential.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant sales experience, ideally within a unionised FMCG environment.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience, including managing geographically dispersed sales teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in customer engagement, business development, and distributor management.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Experience working with SAP or equivalent ERP systems is required.

Other Requirements

• Strong analytical thinking, commercial acumen, and a track record of exceeding revenue and volume targets.
• A collaborative leader who is passionate about people development, driving results, and growing market presence.
• Project management skills and ability to drive process improvements.