National Sales Manager - Sporting Goods

Placements24; Kimberley; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary plus commission

Medical aid

Retirement annuity

Staff discounts

Professional development

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic National Sales Manager for a leading sporting goods client. The role, based in Kimberley, involves national team leadership, development of sales strategies, and fostering major retailer and distributor relationships.

The position requires a BA/Marketing or related degree with 7+ years in sales, including 3–4 in management, strong CRM and analytics skills, and the ability to travel up to 50%. Hybrid work flexibility is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 7+ years of progressive sales experience, with 3–4 in a management role.
• Proven success in hitting national sales targets and leading teams.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with CRM software and sales analytics tools.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% nationwide and reside in/relocate to Kimberley, with hybrid work flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a national sales strategy to achieve targets and market penetration.
• Lead, motivate, and manage a team of regional sales representatives with coaching and performance reviews.
• Cultivate key accounts including sporting retailers, distributors, and professional sports bodies.
• Analyze sales data and market trends to identify opportunities and drive initiatives.
• Oversee the sales budget and ensure efficient allocation of resources.
• Collaborate with marketing and product teams to align sales with brand strategy.
• Prepare and deliver compelling presentations and proposals to clients.
• Monitor competitive activity and market dynamics; adapt strategies accordingly.
• Ensure effective management of sales territories and customer service levels.
• Report sales performance and insights to senior management.

Skills

Sales leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales Management

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance sporting goods, is seeking an accomplished and strategic National Sales Manager to drive sales growth and expand market share across South Africa. This pivotal role will be based in the Kimberley, Northern Cape region and will involve leading a national sales team, developing effective sales strategies, and nurturing key client relationships within the sporting retail and professional sports sectors. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of the sporting goods market, a proven track record in sales leadership, and exceptional negotiation skills. This Hybrid role requires significant travel to oversee sales activities across the country, while allowing for strategic planning and administrative tasks to be managed remotely or from a home base in the Kimberley area.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive national sales strategy to achieve ambitious sales targets and market penetration goals.
• Lead, motivate, and manage a team of regional sales representatives, providing training, coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with key accounts, including major sporting retailers, distributors, and professional sports organizations.
• Analyze sales data and market trends to identify new business opportunities and develop targeted sales initiatives.
• Oversee the sales budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and maximizing return on investment.
• Collaborate closely with the marketing and product development teams to ensure alignment between sales efforts and brand strategy.
• Prepare and deliver compelling sales presentations and proposals to prospective and existing clients.
• Monitor competitor activities and market dynamics, adapting sales strategies as needed.
• Ensure effective management of sales territories and customer service levels.
• Report regularly on sales performance, market insights, and strategic recommendations to senior management.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive sales experience, with at least 3-4 years in a sales management role, preferably within the sporting goods or related consumer goods industry.
• Demonstrated success in achieving and exceeding national sales targets in a competitive market.
• Proven experience in leading and developing sales teams.
• Excellent understanding of sales processes, channel management, and key account management principles.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce) and sales analytics tools.
• Ability to travel extensively nationally (up to 50% of the time).
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to Kimberley, Northern Cape , with flexibility for Hybrid work.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive base salary, coupled with an attractive commission and bonus structure based on individual and team performance.
• The benefits package includes comprehensive medical aid, a retirement annuity fund, and generous staff discounts on products.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development, including sales training programs and industry events, are provided.
• The Hybrid work model allows for effective management of national responsibilities with a degree of flexibility.