Area Sales Manager
Reporting to Director Relationship Channel
Location – Johannesburg, Gauteng
Role Purpose:
Participate in design and ensure implementation of field sales priorities to achieve revenue growth, enhance customer retention and acquisition, and increase lead conversion for a defined geographic region, product line or market segment in line with business strategy, financial objectives, Group guidelines and policies.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Sales Per Day and Revenue Target
- Participate in design of field sales priorities including sales forecast, budget and manpower plans considering business strategy, financial objectives, Group guidelines and policies
- Prepare plans for a defined geographic region, product line or market segment to generate leads, manage accounts and close sales through a field sales team
- Scan market, apply market intelligence, identify and contact prospective customers and build relationships to generate future sales and repeat business
- Assess customer’s business and requirements and recommend appropriate products/service
- Develop and deliver sales bids, presentations, proposals and conduct product demonstrations to major customers
- Pursue major prospects and lead negotiations and construct appropriate terms of sale; responsible to drive local sales team to grow the Shipments Per Day (SPD) volumes according to local/country objectives
- Proactively identify potential challenges and come up with solutions to modify work methods accordingly
- Support field sales representatives in securing critical sales in key or complex accounts
- Responsible to strategically plan and execute best practice (in terms of sales) in order to continuously grow revenue within the respective area and territories
- Collaborate and resolve issues with various internal teams such as sales, marketing, operations and service management for resolving customer issues, enhancing sales and customer retention
2. Reporting and Administration
- Responsible to handle escalated queries and customer complaints in a courteous and timely manner
- Responsible to draft and provide ad‑hoc business plans, reports and information sheets as and when required by management or customers
3. People Management
- Manage direct reports by setting clear objectives, providing regular coaching, and fostering a high‑performance culture
- Ensure effective performance management, including goal setting, feedback, and development planning
- Responsible to identify and initiate change in KPI priorities from time to time as per local business objectives
- Identify and develop talent within the team, ensuring succession plans are in place for critical roles
- Promote collaboration, inclusion, and psychological safety within the team to drive engagement and innovation
- Align team capabilities with current and future business needs, ensuring the Sales team remains agile and future‑ready
- Facilitate continuous learning and professional development to build a resilient and capable sales team
- Manage team workload and priorities to ensure efficient delivery of Sales priorities
Minimum Requirements
Experience
- Min 6 years of Field Sales experience, with at least 4 years’ experience leading a high performing team
- Min 4 years’ experience in a similar capacity and preferably in a mid‑size organisation of a related industry
- Min 4 years’ experience in consumer/retail and/or marketing planning; orientation in the field of transport and forwarding advantageous
- Previous logistics experience advantageous
- Strong numerical and analytical skills
- Advanced MS Suite Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Strong spoken and written communication skills
- Project management skills
- Demonstrated ability to influence and build relationships with senior stakeholders
Qualifications
- Degree in Business or similar in related discipline; commercial, business, marketing preferred
- Valid driver’s license