Account Manager: Spar

Diageo; Forest Hills; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Diageo in Waterfall, South Africa, is seeking an Account Manager: Spar to lead customer partnerships and drive the commercial agenda with key Spar accounts. You will own forecasting, NSV targets, and end-to-end account plans, coordinating with cross-functional teams to deliver growth and flawless execution across channels.

The role requires 6–10 years of FMCG sales experience, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to translate data into actionable plans. A relevant degree is required.

Qualifications

• Develop world-class collaborative customer partnerships and strategies.
• Manage profit and NSV targets, taking full ownership of the numbers.
• Motivate sales teams behind clear, simple and powerful customer strategies.
• Develop and orchestrate end-to-end relationships through a cross-functional network within Diageo and the customer base.
• Drive the highest standards of execution across specified channels.
• Use facts and data to drive excellence in planning, decision-making and performance measurement, taking corrective action where required.
• Contribute to shopper and category insights to develop powerful and breakthrough category strategies.
• Develop and coordinate tailored brand activity by channel and major customer.
• Interpret Nielsen data and develop appropriate corrective action plans.
• Develop accurate forecasting through demand planning resources.
• Monitor, evaluate and provide recommendations on brand/customer volumes, trends and dynamics.
• Create and develop world-class account plans.
• Implement and develop appropriate KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Own, develop and drive customer relationships and the commercial agenda.
• Develop strong customer management capability and deliver breakthrough business performance across the assigned account base.
• Coordinate tailored brand activity by channel and major customer.
• Forecast and monitor brand/customer volumes and trends to support decision-making.

Skills

World-class partnerships

Profit and NSV management

Cross-functional leadership

Forecasting and planning

Nielsen data analysis

Negotiation skills

Account planning

Channel strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Account Manager: Spar

Job Description : Job Title: Account Manager: Spar About us With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, Diageo is home to some of the world’s most iconic drinks. From Johnnie Walker and Guinness to Tanqueray, Smirnoff and Don Julio, we craft brands chosen for life’s moments — from everyday connections to landmark celebrations. Bring your talent, curiosity and ambition, and strive for your personal best alongside people who challenge, support and learn from each other. Together, as one outstanding team, we keep learning, improving and raising the bar for our brands, our business and each other. Join us and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more.

Functions

Sales is where our brands meet the real world. This team builds the relationships that bring our products to life, partnering closely with customers across markets, channels and occasions to make sure our brands are part of moments that matter everywhere. It’s a dynamic, people-focused environment where curiosity, commercial thinking and strong relationships make the difference. You’ll have the opportunity to grow your network, develop your skills and see the direct impact of your work every day.

Purpose of the Role

The Account Manager will own, develop and drive customer relationships and the commercial agenda. This is first and foremost a customer-facing role, responsible for developing strong customer management capability and delivering breakthrough business performance across the assigned account base.

Experience / skills required

• Develop world-class collaborative customer partnerships and strategies.
• Manage profit and NSV targets, taking full ownership of the numbers.
• Motivate sales teams behind clear, simple and powerful customer strategies.
• Develop and orchestrate end-to-end relationships through a cross-functional network within Diageo and the customer base.
• Drive the highest standards of execution across specified channels.
• Use facts and data to drive excellence in planning, decision-making and performance measurement, taking corrective action where required.
• Contribute to shopper and category insights to develop powerful and breakthrough category strategies.
• Develop and coordinate tailored brand activity by channel and major customer.
• Interpret Nielsen data and develop appropriate corrective action plans.
• Develop accurate forecasting through demand planning resources.
• Monitor, evaluate and provide recommendations on brand/customer volumes, trends and dynamics.
• Create and develop world-class account plans.
• Implement and develop appropriate KPIs.

Key Competencies

• Strong knowledge and demonstrated delivery in challenging trading environments, including an understanding of channels, pricing, negotiations and strategy development.
• Experience resolving complex and conflict-filled situations.
• Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution capability when dealing with powerful customers.

Qualifications and Experience Required

Relevant degree. 6–10 years' experience across commercial and other functions; cross-functional experience is an advantage. Experience in cross-functional integration and coordination. Joint Business Planning knowledge and experience at a strategic level. Exposure to different channels and different levels of customer sophistication, including National Accounts, Key Accounts and Field Sales. Proven track record of success within highly demanding FMCG sales organizations and the alcoholic beverages industry.

Worker Type :Regular Primary Location:Waterfall Additional Locations :

Worker Type :Regular Primary Location:Waterfall Additional Locations :

Job Posting Start Date : 2026-09-21

Job Posting Start Date : 2026-09-21

Company Information

With over 200 brands sold in more than 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. Every day, over 29,000 talented people come together at Diageo to create the magic behind our much-loved brands. From iconic names to innovative newcomers – the brands we’re building are rooted in culture and local communities. Our ambition is to be one of the best performing, most trusted and most respected consumer products companies in the world. Our founders, such as Arthur Guinness, John Walker, and Charles Tanqueray, were visionary entrepreneurs whose brilliant minds helped shape the alcohol industry. And through our people, their legacy lives on. Join us, and you’ll collaborate with talented people from all corners of the world. Together, you’ll innovate and push boundaries, shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future that we can all be proud of. With diversity at our core, we celebrate our people's unique passions, commitments and specialist skills. Because when varied voices, mindsets, and personalities come together, great ideas are born. In our supportive culture, your voice will be heard and you’ll be empowered to be you. Just bring your ambition, curiosity and ideas, and we’ll celebrate your work and help you reach your fullest potential.