Area Sales Manager - Ipoh

Suntory Holdings Limited; Ipoh; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17 days annual leave

16% Employer EPF contribution

Medical and insurance coverage

Optical and dental coverage

Job summary

Suntory Beverage & Food in Ipoh, Malaysia seeks an Area Sales Manager to drive regional sales growth and distribution excellence. You will partner with distributors, local chains, and internal teams to achieve targets and strengthen route-to-market execution.

The role requires a minimum of 5 years in FMCG sales, proven distributor management, and a track record in achieving growth while leading teams. Join a purpose-driven organization that values ownership and collaboration in a dynamic market.

Qualifications

• 5 years of FMCG sales experience, preferably within the General Trade channel.
• Proven experience managing distributors independently.
• Experience managing Local Chain Stores and executing trade activation programs.
• Strong track record in achieving sales targets and driving business growth.
• Sales forecasting and inventory planning
• Sell-in and sell-out management
• Trade fund and rebate management
• Commercial and analytical thinking
• Leadership and coaching capability
• Results-oriented and accountable
• Strong commercial acumen
• Resilient and adaptable
• Hands-on with strong execution discipline
• Positive attitude with a growth mindset
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skill

Responsibilities

• Drive sales growth through regional sales strategies and execution plans.
• Manage and develop distributor partnerships to achieve sales and distribution objectives.
• Monitor sell-in, sell-out, inventory levels, and monthly forecast accuracy.
• Lead business reviews with distributors and identify opportunities to expand distribution and outlet coverage.
• Optimize trade spend, rebate management, and route-to-market effectiveness.
• Partner with Trade Marketing, Demand Planning, and Supply Chain teams to ensure execution excellence and availability of stocks.
• Conduct regular trade visits to monitor market execution and support distributor sales teams.
• Build a strong performance culture through coaching, leadership, and team development.

Skills

FMCG sales experience

Distributor management

Trade activation

Forecasting

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Sales planning

Job description

Who We Are

Suntory Beverage & Food strives to be the most locally beloved beverage company in every market we serve. Guided by our founding principles of "Growing for Good", "Yatte Minahare" (the spirit of bold ambition), and "Giving Back to Society", we pursue sustainable growth, bold innovation, and meaningful social impact. Across the Asia region, we proudly offer trusted brands including Ribena®, Lucozade Sport™, BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken, Tea+, BOSS Coffee, V Energy - delivering quality products that honor our commitment to harmony with people and nature.

AtSuntory Beverage & Health Enrichment, we are proud to be part of the globalSuntory Group, a Japanese multinational renowned for its unwavering commitment tohealth,wellness, andenriching lives. With a legacy deeply rooted ininnovationandnatural science, we deliver high-qualityhealth enrichment andfunctional beveragestailored to the needs of Malaysian consumers.

Guided by our mission to"Inspire the Brilliance of Life", we blend cutting-edge research with a profound respect for nature to support holistic well-being - from the inside out.

We are the proud brand owner of several iconic products with strong cultural heritage and consumer trust:

• Ribena - the beloved blackcurrant drink rich in Vitamin C.
• BRAND'S® - a trusted name in health supplements, including the renowned BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken.
• C.C. Lemon - a refreshing lemon-flavored drink packed with Vitamin C, offering a zesty boost for your daily wellness.

About your role

As an Area Sales Manager, you will drive sales growth and distribution excellence across the Ipoh by partnering closely with distributors, local chain stores, and internal stakeholders. You will play a key role in delivering sales targets, strengthening route-to-market execution, and leading a high-performing sales culture.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Starts with 17 days Annual Leave
• 16% Employer EPF contribution
• Medical and insurance coverage
• Optical and dental coverage

What You'll Do

• Drive sales growth through regional sales strategies and execution plans.
• Manage and develop distributor partnerships to achieve sales and distribution objectives.
• Monitor sell-in, sell-out, inventory levels, and monthly forecast accuracy.
• Lead business reviews with distributors and identify opportunities to expand distribution and outlet coverage.
• Optimize trade spend, rebate management, and route-to-market effectiveness.
• Partner with Trade Marketing, Demand Planning, and Supply Chain teams to ensure execution excellence and availability of stocks.
• Conduct regular trade visits to monitor market execution and support distributor sales teams.
• Build a strong performance culture through coaching, leadership, and team development.

What's in it for you

• Opportunity to manage a diverse distributor network and key General Trade channels.
• Exposure to end-to-end commercial management, including forecasting, distribution planning, and trade investment optimization.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams across Sales, Trade Marketing, Supply Chain, and Demand Planning.
• Opportunity to strengthen leadership capabilities and develop a broader commercial perspective.
• Be part of a purpose-driven organization that values ownership, collaboration, and continuous growth.

What You need to be successful

Experience

Minimum 5 years of FMCG sales experience, preferably within the General Trade channel.

Proven experience managing distributors independently.

Experience managing Local Chain Stores and executing trade activation programs.

Strong track record in achieving sales targets and driving business growth.

Sales forecasting and inventory planning

Sell-in and sell-out management

Trade fund and rebate management

Commercial and analytical thinking

Leadership and coaching capability

Results-oriented and accountable

Strong commercial acumen

Resilient and adaptable

Hands-on with strong execution discipline

Positive attitude with a growth mindset

Strong interpersonal and influencing skill

Our DEI Commitment

At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, or differing abilities, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.