Customer Relationship Manager

Sdguthrie International; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

SD Guthrie International South Africa is seeking a Customer Relationship Manager to drive strategic relationships across food manufacturing segments and manage the full sales cycle.

You will own regional accounts, negotiate terms, forecast demand and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet targets and improve service levels.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of B2B sales/account management in relevant industry.
• Grade 12 is the minimum qualification.
• Technical understanding of edible oils and fats is advantageous.
• Ability to develop strategic customer relationships and conduct business reviews.

Responsibilities

• Own strategic customer relationships across food manufacturing, bakery, confectionery, QSR, industrial, wholesale, distribution and other relevant fats and oils segments.
• Monitor and maintain customer satisfaction with customer service input and conduct structured reviews with key customers.
• Develop and manage customer relationships to meet business objectives and build relationships with procurement, R&D, quality, production, and senior decision-makers.
• Plan communication strategy for customers with formal meetings and reviews; identify service gaps and resolve issues via cross-functional plans.
• Maintain a live customer opportunity pipeline with owners and deadlines.

Skills

Customer relationships

Sales

Account management

Negotiations

Forecasting

Cross-functional projects

Technical understanding of edible oils

Education

Grade 12

Tools

Honeybee

Job description

## Customer Relationship ManagerApply: SD Guthrie International South Africa, Admin: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 8, 2026 (6 days left to apply): JR3167We value our people and encourage everyone to grow professionally. If you think this opportunity is right for you, we encourage you to apply!**Job Description:** **FINANCE:**· Achieve the annual Sales Budget as per targets and margin expectations· Manage/Assist with account receivable/ collection· Prepare and negotiate customer pricing within approved commercial and delegation-of-authority parameters.· Pricing deals must be in line with company standards and done on time· Protect company assets (working capital & fixed assets)· Minimise waste and rework· Manage costs and drive continuous improvement· Ensure all trading rebate documents are up to date and accurate· Manage customer Debtors book in line with company policy**CUSTOMERS:**## **Customer Relations:**· Own strategic customer relationships across food manufacturing, bakery, confectionery, QSR, industrial, wholesale, distribution and other relevant fats and oils segments.· Monitor and maintain customer satisfaction together with customer service input· Conduct structured monthly, quarterly and annual business reviews with key customers· Develop and manage customer relationships to meet business objectives· Build strong relationships with Procurement, R&D, Technical, Quality, Production, Supply Chain and senior decision-makers.· Plan a communication strategy for all customers whichincludes formal meetings/reviews· Adopt a pro-active customer engagement strategy. Proactively identify service gaps and resolve customer issues through cross-functional action plans· Maintain a live customer opportunity pipeline and ensure all actions have owners and deadlines**Distributor Relations:**· Manage distributor relationships and needs· Monthly sales reviews to be done with growth plans discussed· Trade/customer visits planned and adhered to with distributors· Maintain a live customer opportunity pipeline and ensure all actions have owners and deadlines.**PROCESS:****Sales Strategy:**· Provide input into the Sales strategy and align to the business strategy· Assess gaps, competitor activities and opportunities in the market· Identify market gaps and new customer opportunities**Sales Planning:**· Monitor and review customer activity plans· Plan customer service callage (monthly sales plan)· Gather and provide relevant information to contribute to Sales and Marketing activities· Maintain a forward view of demand, contracts, tenders, trials, promotions and potential new business· Analyse data and update sales activities and action plans**Sales Forecasting:**· Provide accurate Sales Forecasts and allocate appropriate stock covers by region within set time frames (and by customer)· Maintain stock levels on shelf and with distributors as per SLA'S· Understand stock levels in Dc’s to manage customer expectations**Sales Management:**· Negotiate and manage Trading Term Agreements as per register· Negotiate and implement Key Account pricing within internal parameters· Liaise with the Customer Service Department for orders and delivery details· Manage the stock return process with distributors and merchandising partner (Damages, Expired Sell by Date, etc.)· Manage all operational activities within the channel (promotions, price increases, deals, listings, merchandising, etc.)· Ensure that Product storage quality standards are maintained· Implement sales activity plans within the channel (promotions, price increases, deals, listings, merchandising, etc.) to meet agreed deadlines· Actively pursue new business opportunities· Present the range of products and services to customers and close deals with customers· Check that the product range is represented in the market· Investigate product related complaints**Regional Accounts:**· Manage Regional Accounts Agents to ensure the desired Sales targets are achieved· Manage Regional Accounts Distributors, Cash & Carry's, Buying groups and merchandising partner· Manage Corporate clients· Manage Industrial, Bakery & Confectionary Accounts· Develop Regional Sales and Advertising plans and implement Marketing activities and promotions· Negotiate shelf space where forward share is behind market share within allowed dealing parameters and ensure our merchandising partner is also adhering to this**Product Launches and Exhibitions:****Planning:**· Co-ordinate exhibition launches, briefing meetings and functions· Arrange special events (internal and external)· Prepare exhibition designs**Set-up:**· Assemble, install and dismantle exhibition stands· Control and maintain venue equipment and assets**Exhibit:**· Exhibit company products· Present a range of Products or services (Current and new products) and communicate product Features, Advantages and Benefits (FABS) to the customer· Take transfer orders from end users and pass on to Distributors**Brand Development:**· Build strategic customer and complementary supplier alliances· Implement Marketing and brand, product and service activities and promotions· Plan and facilitate Product training (Customers, Sales teams, etc.)· Provide technical support to Distributor Representatives and end-users· Maintain Brand Loyalty amongst end-users· Convert customers to company product· Maintain and update End-User database**Research and Development Innovation:**· Work with customers in developing and manufacturing new innovations within their current and future product range· Identify innovation opportunities· Communicate product specification changes to customers· Analyse and interpret data and marketing information**Reporting and Administration:**· Compile Sales Reports for customer reviews and sales tracking· Ensure you live customer reports are captured live via honeybee for all customers\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_ **Minimum qualification:** Grade 12 **Experience:**· 3–5 years relevant B2B sales/account management experience, preferably in food, FMCG, fats and oils, ingredients or a related industrial environment.· Experience managing commercial negotiations, forecasts, customer relationships and cross-functional projects.· Technical understanding of edible oils and fats and their applications is highly advantageous. To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your interest for this role.