Area Manager - Cape Town

SOLEVO; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chemical distribution company in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Area Manager to drive growth and operational excellence. This role requires a results-driven professional with +5 years of sales, business development, and management experience. Responsibilities include strategic financial leadership, team management, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate will have strong financial acumen and excellent communication skills, contributing to a dynamic team environment.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package

Comprehensive benefits package

Opportunities for professional growth and advancement

Qualifications

• Matric (Grade 12) is required.
• +5 years of working experience in Sales, Business Development, and Management.
• Experience with market analysis and supply chain optimization is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive regional budgets and develop sales strategies.
• Manage warehouse operations ensuring dispatch accuracy.
• Lead and motivate the sales team, handling complex customer inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HS&E) standards.

Skills

Leadership

Sales Development

Supply Chain Optimization

Communication

Financial Acumen

Education

Diploma/Degree in a business-related field

Job description

Who are we?

SOLEVO is a leading distributor of chemicals and inputs for specific industrial and agricultural segments in Africa. SOLEVO assists African farmers and industry succeed by providing them with a full range of fertilizers, seeds, crop protection products and industrial chemicals they need with a guaranteed quality and good value. With over 75 years at the frontier of economic growth and transformation across Africa, we deliver critical raw materials and expertise to the continent’s high GDP‑contributing life sciences and industrials sectors. Bragan Ingredients and Rolfes Chemicals are part of Solevo Group company.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking an experienced Area Manager to drive growth and operational excellence in Cape Town. This role combines strategic leadership, sales development, and supply chain optimization, while ensuring top‑tier customer service and compliance with safety standards. If you’re a results‑driven professional with strong management skills and a passion for building high‑performing teams, we’d love to hear from you.

What do we expect from the candidate?

We’re expecting a dynamic leader with a proven track record in sales and business development, capable of driving growth while ensuring operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will have strong financial acumen, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage teams and build lasting customer relationships.

The key responsibilities:

• Strategic Financial & Sales Leadership
• The Area Manager will play a key role in a dual‑focused leadership role by overseeing both Bragan Ingredients and Rolfes Chemicals business units in the Western Cape region.
• Drive and manage the regional budgets for both Bragan Ingredients and Rolfes Chemicals business units, ensuring financial discipline and strategic allocation.
• Develop and execute targeted sales strategies to achieve significant business development and market share growth.
• Lead negotiations on pricing with key clients and Head Office, maximizing profitability and securing favourable terms.
• Conduct in‑depth market analysis, analysing sales trends, figures, and volumes to inform strategic business decisions.
• Generate accurate monthly forecasts for branch stock volumes, optimising capital usage and inventory levels.
• Operational Excellence & Supply Chain Management
• Ensure the branch achieves all operational objectives by optimising warehouse performance and processes.
• Oversee accurate and timely dispatching of inventory, resolving complex logistics issues promptly, and completing regular operational audits.
• Directly manage all aspects of warehouse operations, inventory control, product pricing, and costings.
• Meet financial targets by implementing and monitoring optimised fleet management strategies.
• Team Management & Customer Focus
• Lead, motivate, and manage employee performance across the branch, fostering a high‑performance culture.
• Lead weekly sales meetings to review performance, align strategies, and drive team accountability.
• Provide active support and guidance to the Sales team, effectively handling complex customer enquiries.
• Ensure timely and professional resolution of all customer complaints, upholding our commitment to service excellence.
• Safety & Compliance
• Champion the highest standards of Health, Safety and Environmental (HS& E) compliance across all levels of the branch operation.

If you possess…

Must‑Have:

• Matric (Grade 12).
• Diploma/Degree in a business‑related field.
• +5 years of working experience in Sales, Business Development and Management.

Nice‑to‑Have:

It would be an advantage if you bring strong leadership and mentoring skills, experience working with remote teams, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving. Familiarity with supply chain optimisation and market analysis will set you apart, along with excellent communication and relationship‑building abilities.

If you are…

• Able to tackle complex problems effectively and adapt to fast‑paced development environments.
• A strong leader and have the ability to mentor junior consultants.
• Proven track record of working effectively in remote team settings, demonstrating flexibility and contributing positively to a collaborative work environment.
• Analytical and a Problem‑Solving person: Exceptional ability to analyse complex requirements, identify potential bottlenecks, and devise effective solutions. Strong debugging skills to efficiently resolve issues in the development process.

Why join Solevo?

• Join a young dynamic team who is leading the chemical distribution on the African continent.
• Enjoy a collaborative, international and agile work environment.
• Be part of a team where freedom, initiative and ‘thinking out of the box’ is key.
• Opportunity to work in a growing versatile environment.
• Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits package.
• Explore opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Then, this job is for you!

How to join us?

If you’re excited about this position, we encourage you to submit your resume detailing your relevant experience and be part of our exciting journey.

What's next?

If your profile matches our search, you will be contacted by our HR team for a first contact.

Please be informed that we will keep your profile to contact you for future professional opportunities.