Commercial Sales Manager

Switch Recruit (Pty) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Switch Recruit (Pty) Ltd is seeking a Commercial Sales Manager for a fast-paced FMCG environment in South Africa. The role requires leadership of a BDM team, exporting by sea and air, and extensive travel to drive revenue and margins.

You will partner with Finance on budgeting and forecasting, analyse performance data with QlikView/Qlik Sense, and implement disciplined pricing and risk management across multiple brands.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in a related field and at least 6 years in Commercial/Senior Sales management within FMCG food.
• Proven export trading experience by ocean and air freight (fruit/vegetables/meat) is mandatory.
• Strong analytics, reporting, and data interpretation skills using QlikView and Qlik Sense.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Business Development Managers to achieve revenue, margin and profit targets.
• Maintain pricing discipline, structure profitable deals and manage debt with monthly reviews.
• Oversee contracts, rebates, approvals and risk to protect revenue and margins.
• Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting and cost management, including quarterly cycles.
• Escalate risks with mitigation plans and clear financial impact assessments.
• Provide regular reporting to senior leadership on performance, trends and risks.
• Drive data-driven decision making and improve team output through insights.
• Lead training and capability development to strengthen sales effectiveness.
• Foster a high-performance culture and streamline processes to boost efficiency.

Skills

Team leadership

Export trading

Data analytics

FMCG expertise

Budgeting & forecasting

Pricing discipline

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Logistics/Business

Tools

QlikView

Qlik Sense

Job description

An exciting opportunity has opened for a dynamic Commercial Sales Manager to join a vibrant, fast-paced FMCG company. This role is ideal for a commercially driven professional with strong experience in both ocean and air freight, looking to take the next step in their career. With the added benefit of travel opportunities, this position offers the perfect blend of leadership, industry exposure and career progression in an energetic and forward-thinking environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Business Development Managers to deliver revenue, margin, and profit targets aligned to key business budgets.
• Ensure pricing discipline, profitable deal structuring, and debtor control, supported by monthly performance reviews and corrective actions.
• Oversee commercial governance including contracts, rebates, approvals, and risk identification to protect revenue and margins.
• Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and cost management, including participation in quarterly review cycles.
• Escalate key risks with clear mitigation plans and financial impact assessments.
• Act as the primary link between the BDM team and senior leadership, providing clear reporting on performance, trends, and risks.
• Use data and performance insights to drive decision-making and improve team output.
• Lead training, coaching, and capability development to strengthen commercial and sales effectiveness.
• Drive a high-performance culture through structured performance management and continuous improvement.
• Improve operational efficiency by streamlining processes, leveraging tools, and enhancing overall team productivity.

Requirements

• Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Management or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in a Commercial Manager or Senior Sales Manager role within the FMCG food sector.
• Proven experience in export trading across ocean and air freight, specifically with fruit, vegetables and meat – non-negotiable.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including travel cycles twice per quarter.
• Experience managing multiple brands or product portfolios simultaneously.
• Strong experience in analytics, reporting and data interpretation using QlikView and Qlik Sense.
• Valid driver’s licence and passport.