Vacancies at Mars

We're looking for a strategic and people-focused Sales Leader to drive growth in our Pet Professionals channels across South Africa. In this role, you’ll lead, develop and support a geographically diverse VET and PRO sales team to deliver sustainable, profitable results aligned with our operating plans. You'll play a critical role in boosting Royal Canin’s sales, market share, and brand awareness, while strengthening customer loyalty across the Pet Professionals segment. You’ll also shape long-term strategies that unlock future growth opportunities.

What are we looking for?

• BVSc or BVetnurs degree and/ or 5 – 7 years proven sales management experience in the Pharmaceutical or Cosmetic industry
• A minimum of 4 – 5 years’ experience in managing large teams
• Strong commercial and financial acumen
• Thorough understanding of scientific sales environment and marketplace
• Thorough understanding of the Royal Canin and Mars brands within that environment
• Ability to travel nationally, in line with region sales contribution. Region responsibilities may be adjusted based on business requirements.
• Ability to travel internationally

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Drive commercial performance by executing sales and marketing strategies that deliver annual volume and NSV targets in the Pet Professionals channels.
• Lead field execution by managing customer relationships, collaborating with distributors, and ensuring excellence in field sales performance and promotional activity rollout.
• Manage and grow customer base by maintaining strong partnerships, identifying new opportunities, and aligning efforts with supply, marketing, and logistics.
• Develop and lead the Pet Professionals team, including performance management, coaching, capability development, and regular field visits across South Africa.
• Foster a high-performing and engaged team culture by role modelling the Five Principles, conducting regular reviews, and building a vision that enables the team to thrive in a dynamic environment.
• Contribute to strategic business growth through insightful market analysis, sales forecasting, and innovative approaches that enhance customer experience and brand presence.

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As an Inland Sales Manager at Mars, you will execute defined sales programs to achieve regional sales and financial goals. This position focuses on effective leadership of field sales associates, execution of sales strategy and objectives, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders. Your leadership will be pivotal in driving sales growth and ensuring the success of our initiatives in the Inland region.

What are we looking for?

• Ideally, you will hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Administration, Marketing, or Animal Science.
• You should have over 5 years of sales experience working with leading multi-functional teams.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in distributor partner management is required.
• We are looking for someone with strong business acumen in the veterinary industry.
• People management experience in a mentoring, coaching, or line manager role is essential.
• You must be available to travel regularly and possess strong communication skills.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Sales Leadership: You will be responsible for the Inland/OFS region, ensuring that sales results, execution, activities, and strategies align with the pillar’s KPIs and operating plan.
• Sales Growth: Drive sales growth in the PSR channel through qualitative management of a geographically split PSR team, leading, developing, and supporting the sales force to deliver profitable results.
• Strategic Planning: Build strategies for the future to grow the business, implementing sales and marketing strategies within the Inland PSR channel and distributor region.
• Account Management: Manage a portfolio of customer accounts and head office relationships, establishing sales objectives by forecasting and developing annual sales quotas for the assigned area.
• Performance Monitoring: Implement field sales action plans to ensure excellence in field sales execution and monitor the quality of field force performance.
• Customer Base Expansion: Maintain and expand the customer base through effective team management, building rapport with key customers, and identifying new customer opportunities.
• Distribution Network Management: Develop and manage an efficient distribution network to improve sales performance, ensuring effective collaboration with logistics partners and distributors.
• Team Management: Manage the team of PSR Business Development Officers in the Inland region, coordinating with other functions to ensure sales efficiency and governance of operational requirements.
• People Leadership: Build, manage, and lead an effective team by attracting, developing, retaining, and motivating high-caliber associates, fostering a sales-centric culture.
• Engagement Champion: Drive continuous growth of engagement within the team through effective implementation and follow-up of impact planning, ensuring team members are motivated and know their roles and responsibilities.
• Field Presence: Conduct frequent field sales visits in respective regions, with bi-weekly in-field presence expected, and perform minimum quarterly performance reviews with each direct report.