Sales Manager (Northern Region)

Desa Southern Agency Sdn Bhd; Butterworth; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Desa Southern Agency Sdn Bhd in Malaysia is seeking an experienced Sales Manager to lead regional sales operations across Penang and adjacent areas. You will drive revenue, expand market share, manage distributor performance and develop a high-performing sales team to deliver sustainable growth.

The role requires a strong track record in FMCG or food-related sales, regional management, and the ability to coach staff, execute promotions, and build lasting relationships with retailers and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Sales, Marketing, Business Administration, Business Management or a related field.
• 5–8 years of relevant sales experience, preferably FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Regional sales management, distributor management and team leadership.
• Experience managing retailers, wholesalers, distributors and modern trade customers.
• Strong track record in achieving sales targets and increasing distribution.
• Good understanding of FMCG sales operations, secondary sales, merchandising and trade promotions.
• Strong negotiation and customer relationship management skills.
• Analytical skills to interpret sales performance, market trends and competitor information.
• Leadership, coaching and people management capabilities.
• MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Good command of English and Bahasa Malaysia.
• Possess a valid driving licence and travel extensively within the region.
• Able to work independently and in a fast-paced sales environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional sales strategy and target achievement.
• Drive revenue growth, market share and profitability within the region.
• Monitor sales performance and initiate corrective actions.
• Coach and develop the regional sales team.
• Implement new product launches and promotional campaigns across the region.
• Build and maintain relationships with key customers, retailers and distributors.
• Ensure customer satisfaction, service quality and loyalty.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure timely delivery and issue resolution.
• Oversee distributor performance and sales activities.
• Prepare regular business reviews and ROI analyses with customers and distributors.
• Manage regional sales budgets and travel efficiently.
• Lead, motivate and supervise Sales Managers and Representatives.

Skills

Regional sales management

Distributor management

Team leadership

Negotiation

Excel

PowerPoint

English proficiency

Bahasa Malaysia

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sales/Marketing/Business

Tools

MS Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and results-driven Sales Manager to lead our sales operations within the assigned region. Lead regional sales operations, drive revenue and market growth, manage distributor performance, and develop a high-performing sales team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for achieving sales targets, increasing market share and profitability, strengthening customer and distributor relationships, and driving sustainable business growth. The role will lead and develop the regional sales team while ensuring effective execution of sales strategies, promotional activities and operational plans.

Job Description:

Regional Sales Strategy & Target Achievement

Develop and execute regional sales strategies and plans to achieve monthly, quarterly and annual sales targets in terms of volume and value.

Drive revenue growth, market share and profitability within the assigned region.

Monitor daily, weekly and monthly sales performance against targets and initiate corrective actions where required.

Ensure achievement of secondary sales targets from distributors to retailers.

Drive effective implementation of new product launches and promotional campaigns across the region.

Identify new business opportunities and develop strategies to expand market coverage and distribution.

Develop and maintain strong business relationships with key customers, including retailers, wholesalers and modern trade chains.

Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction, service quality and customer loyalty.

Conduct regular field visits with team members to coach and improve sales fundamentals, including journey planning, claim settlement and merchandising.

Conduct regular business reviews with customers and distributors to assess sales performance, ROI and business opportunities.

Analyse market trends, customer requirements and competitor activities to identify opportunities for regional growth.

Negotiate commercial terms, pricing and agreements with key customers within the assigned region.

Ensure customer orders are fulfilled accurately and on time.

Address customer issues promptly and coordinate with internal teams to ensure effective resolution.

Monitor and improve distributor performance within the assigned region.

Monitor sales activities, market developments and customer feedback and provide regular reports to senior management.

Manage regional sales budgets and expenses and monitor performance against budget.

Oversee inventory levels at distributor points to minimise stock-outs and product obsolescence.

Coordinate with Production, Logistics, Customer Service and other internal teams to ensure timely product delivery and fulfil customer requirements.

Maintain proper housekeeping and 5S standards for office, store and product areas.

Ensure effective implementation of sales processes, policies and operational standards.

Undertake other duties, projects and assignments as directed by the immediate superior.

Lead, manage and coach the regional sales team, including Sales Managers, Sales Executives, Sales Supervisors, Sales Representatives and Merchandisers.

Set clear sales targets, KPIs and performance expectations for team members.

Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback and coaching.

Identify training and development needs and support staff development initiatives.

Provide leadership, guidance and resources to enable the sales team to achieve sales targets and deliver excellent customer service.

Foster a high-performance culture, teamwork and strong employee engagement.

Work closely with HR to recruit, develop and manage sales personnel within the region.

Quality, Food Safety & Compliance

Support and ensure compliance with applicable food safety and quality management systems, including FSSC 22000, HACCP, ISO and Halal requirements.

Ensure the sales team understands and follows applicable company policies, procedures and quality requirements.

Support internal and external audits and corrective actions where relevant to sales operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Sales, Marketing, Business Administration, Business Management or a related field.

At least 5–8 years of relevant sales experience, preferably within the FMCG or food manufacturing industry.

Proven experience in regional sales management, distributor management and team leadership.

Experience managing retailers, wholesalers, distributors and modern trade customers.

Strong track record in achieving sales targets, developing markets and increasing distribution.

Good understanding of FMCG sales operations, secondary sales, merchandising and trade promotions.

Strong commercial, negotiation and customer relationship management skills.

Good analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales performance, market trends and competitor information.

Strong leadership, coaching and people management capabilities.

Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Good command of English and Bahasa Malaysia.

Possess a valid driving licence and own transportation.

Willing to travel extensively within the assigned region.

Able to work independently, manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced sales environment.