Vacancies Open at Lindt and Sprungli

Key Responsibilities

Sales Management & Management Reporting

• To achieve monthly sales targets and execute key account objectives through implementation of the sales strategies according to company and brand policy, guidelines and budget
• To manage, implement and monitor promotional pricing according to the key account and category management strategy by negotiate trading terms, promotions, co-op spends, promotional grids, pricing and new listings
• To negotiate and improve ‘forward share’ in stores through pro-active key account trade  visits and interactions
• To maintain regular/cyclical trade visits and ensure that the sales team execute brand/key account strategies accordingly
• To communicate best practice of trade initiatives and the key account strategy to the sales team to ensuring timeous and effective execution thereof
• To prepare monthly trade reports whilst monitoring competitor pricing
• To ensure stock levels are monitored, controlled and rotated whilst ensuring that dated stock are reduced and reporting on ‘exceptions’ and ‘out of stock’
• To conduct and chair regular sales meetings
• To provide forecasting and reporting against sales budgets for the region as well as managing expense budgets
• To manage the performance of the regional merchandising agency (Meridian)

Staff Management

• To manage the performance and development of the sales team through regular formal evaluations ensuring that each individual as well as the sales team are aware of their achievements against targets
• To provide leadership that through effective communication motivates, coaches and mentors the sales team to optimum performance levels to ensure staff retention
• To assess training and development requirements of all sales staff and action essential interventions
• To ensure that all hand-held electronic devices are in working order and managed according to company policy and procedures and where necessary further training of sales team in the use of such devices
• To participate in staff selection and appointment as and when the need arises according to company policy and procedures

Skills and Knowledge

• Project management skills
• Ideas and solutions driven
• Confident, assertive self-starter with a drive for results and highly motivated
• Entrepreneurial spirit with good communication and negotiation skills
• Structured organisational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work in collaboration with agencies and customers
• Understanding of consumers, competitors and market dynamics
• Strong presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills (written and verbal)
• Extremely detail-oriented
• Excellent planning and computer skills
• Ability to work independently and within a team to communicate with team members and management on a daily basis
• Ability to be a team player in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Requirements:

• Completed, relevant Bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of six years' relevant experience

go to method of application »

Customer Service and Sales

• Deliver exceptional customer service at all times, across all sections of the Chocolate Shop and over the phone
• Greeting all customers, “Welcome to Lindt”, hosting and providing a memorable experience
• Educating and informing customers on Lindt chocolate products and handling with passion and in depth knowledge
• Actively sampling providing product knowledge and introducing products through discussion of taste profiles and ingredients
• Awareness of daily sales budgets, actively upselling to increase customer transaction spend
• Inform all customers of current instore promotions, events and directed information
• Provide customers assistance in the selection of quality Lindt products, encouraging additional sales
• Serving more than one customer at a time, acknowledging and communicating at all times
• Multi task between completing store operational tasks and serving customers
• Processing the customer orders through the POS, cash handling and credit card transactions
• Own and manage individual tills, including counting floats and performing end of shift till procedure
• Preparing big customer orders
• Ensure complaints are addressed immediately by informing the Manager on duty
• Develop a rapport with regular customers encouraging repeat business. Maintain a pleasant friendly atmosphere within the store at all times
• Restocking and cleaning through the day

Product Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of products including, but not limited to, product specifications (handling, ingredients, storage, allergens)
• Product pricing, packaging and category performance knowledge
• Comply with product management and handling procedures
• Compliance to food and hygiene and safety standards practicing good hygienic practices

General

• Work ethic to reflect the Lindt values and standards as outlined in the Credo and Lindt Policies & Procedures. Lead by example ensuring a harmonious and productive environment
• Record sampling and wasted products actively quality controlling products
• Perform open and closing procedures, signing off checklist
• Perform cleaning duties signing off checklist
• Perform temperature readings signing off checklist
• Maintain clean, tidy working areas at all times
• Ensure all fixtures, glass cabinets and floors remain clean and tidy throughout the day
• Ensure body language, mannerism, physical and verbal presentation upholds the company image and grooming policy
• Accepting courier deliveries and confirming all items are received against invoice
• Assisting in monthly stock counts
• Unpacking, moving and restocking products
• Using all instore equipment, machines and appliances

Work, health and safety

• Comply with all work health and safety requirements
• Report and damaged or dangerous equipment or property to management

Manual Handling

• Repetitive lifting and moving of Lindt stock which can weigh up to 12kgs per unit
• Moving stock from storerooms to front of house
• Monitor sales on a daily basis with a goal to maximize store profitability without sacrificing customer service.
• Timely ordering of merchandise and supplies with focus on overall inventory management and loss prevention.
• Daily reconciling of cash with sales receipts, daily paperwork and accounting, and other store administration.
• Confident and interactive with a friendly disposition
• Excellent communication skills with a strong work ethic that can represent a premium brand
• Responsible and accountable in achieving individual goals and budgets
• Good time management skills (multi-tasking and prioritizing)
• Self-starter with the ability to work individually and in a team
• Immaculate grooming with excellent personal hygiene

Skills & Knowledge

• Customer Service
• Sales skills
• Ability to handle cash and credit card transactions
• Requirements:
• Previous experience in customer service
• Previous experience in a similar retail environment
• Grade 12
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (specifically Excel and Powerpoint)
• Confident and Interactive with a friendly disposition

go to method of application »

Key Responsibilities

• Lead shopper insight and category insights, leading key initiatives from project development, management to completion
• Leadership for Category Vision and Drivers that enables Lindt customer teams to persuade key retail partners of the Lindt category strategy
• Create and deliver short and long term shopper insight initiatives, as prioritized by the Lindt SA management team, to support MPD planning & specific segment challenges to turn shoppers into buyers of our brands
• Leadership of brand / account workshops to enable the Marketing, Shopper Marketing & Sales teams to develop and sell the annual seasonal plans to our key retail partners
• Lead the key cross functional Shopper Marketing projects that continue to step change Lindt influence with our retail partners
• Coordination of both qualitative and quantitative consumer & shopper marketing research to lead new insights into the development of the category & Lindt
• Lead ongoing development of Lindt Category Vision, Drivers & Tactics, to engage our retail partners on the growth opportunities for the confectionery category
• Through insight, lead and support customer marketing with new activation initiatives for Lindt brands to increase their visibility in store

Lead for Shopper Marketing contribution to the annual brand planning process

• Support marketing team with shopper marketing insight/strategies that support new brand initiatives for existing and new products
• Ensure that the identified shopper strategies play a core role in the company, category and brand long term plans
• Support customer marketing team with category insight to lead new activation in store, both on and off the fixture.
• Develop strong agency partnerships with both new and existing agencies to utilise their strengths to support Lindt Shopper Marketing.

Planning and Review:

• Provide support to the internal Brand and Key Account teams by conducting regular business analyses (with the focus on key strategic drivers and opportunities), presentations and merchandising solutions
• Proactive management of team priorities
• Build and develop internal reporting databases and templates
• Manage cross-functional targets
• Identify key trade opportunities including maximizing in-trade opportunities (ranging, distribution, merchandising and visibility)
• Oversee development of Category Selling stories
• Delivering commentaries and sales analysis for monthly business review reports, pro-actively identifying business opportunities and issues

Merchandising Input

• Manage planograms & merchandising guidelines to support category shelving initiatives including the training thereof internally and externally
• Responsible for updating space management product / image library & IRi data characteristics

Team Leadership

• Training members of the cross functional team on data systems (Retailer POS, IRi)
• Build effective working relationships and processes with the Sales and Marketing teams with the aim of driving incremental category and brand growth
• Lead cross functional ways of working ultimately ensuring alignment to and focus on business objectives

Skills and Knowledge

• Proven Category Management Expertise
• Advanced MS Excel, IRi Temple & Space Planning Skills
• Understanding shopper/consumer/market insights and how these drive category growth in retailers
• Understanding of competitor and market dynamics
• Excellent numeracy, analytical and data interpretation skills
• Understanding brand and key account strategies and interpreting these into customized category plans
• Implementing and evaluating category plans in-store
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build relationships and influence at all levels – internal and external
• Confident, assertive self-starter with a drive for results and highly motivated
• High level of initiative, able to drive projects independently
• Structured with organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines

Requirements:

• BComm Degree or suitable tertiary qualification
• Previous experience in a customer-facing Category Management role, FMCG environment (minimum 5 years)
• Prerequisites include advanced skills & working knowledge of external market data software and space planning software
• Knowledge of and advanced skills in Microsoft Office (specifically Excel and PowerPoint)