Distribution Partner Manager | Inland Outer

We are seeking a Distribution Partner Manager to join our team in Polokwane, Limpopo. As a Distribution Partner Manager, you will be responsible for managing and developing our partnership with a key distribution partner in the Inland Outer region.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Analysing data to understand sales opportunities and outlet coverage in identified areas
• Developing and implementing business plans to increase Red Bull's footprint in Independent Urban and Rural channels
• Managing and securing sufficient POS stock and handling, as well as ROI calculations on any initiatives implemented into trade
• Defining routines and call cycles for managing operations in a professional and sustainable way
• Conducting monthly business reviews with the distribution partner
• Tracking and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as volume sales, distribution numeric and weighted, and price compliance

You will also be required to:

• Lead and motivate the distribution partner's sales force to achieve set targets
• Provide training and support to the sales force on Red Bull's perfect store standards and execution
• Identify gaps and opportunities through systematic and regular trade visits
• Prepare and lead monthly reviews with the distribution partner's regional team
• Generate best practices and multiply them throughout covered channels

In return, we offer:

• A competitive salary package
• Opportunities for growth and development within the organisation
• A dynamic and supportive work environment

Responsibilities

• Analyse Data:
• Analyse geographic areas to understand outlet and sales opportunity within identified areas through trade visits
• Use depletion data to identify opportunities in market and drive sales team to close the gaps

• Business Planning:
• Develop annual Regional Business Plan in close coordination with Head of Direct Distribution for winning in the Independent trade
• Target to increase and deepen Red Bull's footprint in Independent Urban & Rural channels
• Co-Develop Business Plans by DP to deliver on all relevant RBZA strategic initiatives including; Volume, Horizontal & Vertical Distribution, Execution and Information exchange (Depletion Data)
• Manage and secure sufficient POS stock and handling as well as ROI calculations on any initiatives implemented into trade

• Sales and 3rd party Distribution Management:
• Define routines and call cycles for managing the operations in a professional / sustainable way, in line with routines matrix set out by HOD: Direct
• Do monthly business reviews with DP in line with business plan & Commercial Annex
• Define and track the DP KPIs (broken down from overall sales targets): Volume Sales, Distribution Numeric & Weighted and Price Compliance, Perfect Store Execution, Promotional Execution
• Support DP in achieving set targets through: Training the DP sales force on Red Bull perfect store standards and execution of those
• Leading DP sales force by personal example and hand-on approach
• Quantification of opportunity identified in data analyzing to conceptually sell new concepts to partners
• Undertake systematic and regular trade visits to identify gaps and opportunities or to prove any findings from data supplied by Trade Marketing
• Prepare and lead monthly reviews with the DP regional team
• Generate best practices and multiply throughout covered channels
• Fuel DP sales force passion for Red Bull through recognition and reward programs

• Trade Visits:
• Conceptual selling of the quantified opportunity in a mature and professional manner to ensure buy-in (convinced) and motivated Partners
• Track execution via our Partners field force

• Budget Management:
• Manage the budget that is allocated to commercial initiatives, sales force initiatives, and below-the-line marketing initiatives linked to the DP and Red Bull Partnership

Experience

• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Valid driving license
• Proven Track Record of 3rd party management in FMCG sector
• >5 years sales experience in FMCG sector
• Sales Team Leadership Experience
• Successful track record in managing sales force (distribution partner preferred) within all Trade channels
• Business Experience in Regional Accounts - Independent trade
• Key Account experience (an Advantage)
• Leadership, Motivation and Team Skills
• Clear understanding of market, sales & distribution within South Africa
• Clear understanding of market structure and common practice / ways of how business is done
• Excellent negotiator and influencer (strong interpersonal skill)
• Strong analytical ability and commercial acumen to understand financial statements and market trends
• Able to work independently with responsibility, being organised, result driven and solution orientated
• Able to develop business strategies and break them down into actions
• Excellent in all MS Office programs (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) Excel and Power Point abilities should be strong
• Management reporting and budget control
• Strong presentation skills
• 80% of time in field and 20% of time spent on analysing, planning, building case studies and conceptual selling decks and reporting