General Manager (FMCG / Food) - JHB

Headhunters; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Headhunters in South Africa seeks an experienced executive to lead business operations, sales, and growth strategy across FMCG sectors. You will shape strategic direction to drive profitability and align market opportunities with customer needs.

The role requires 7+ years in senior leadership, strong financial controls, risk management, and a proven track record in high-turnover environments. You will lead a diverse management team and drive transformational programs for competitive advantage.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum 7+ years' experience in senior leadership or executive management roles.
• Proven experience leading business operations and sales within a high-turnover environment.
• Experience within the FMCG sector
• Strong strategic planning and business development capabilities.
• Demonstrated financial and commercial acumen.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, profitability, cost optimisation, and financial controls.
• Proven ability to develop and execute business strategies.
• Strong leadership and people-management capabilities.
• Strong understanding of risk management and compliance.
• Strong change-management and transformation capabilities.
• Strong understanding of sales, marketing, operations, and business development.
• Ability to identify and capitalise on new business and market opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business strategies aligned with market leadership and customer requirements.
• Drive innovation, transformation, and continuous improvement across the business.
• Identify and capitalise on expansion, new business, and market-penetration opportunities.
• Lead and develop a high-performing management team.
• Strengthen leadership capabilities and workforce efficiency.
• Promote employee engagement, organisational health, diversity, and inclusion.
• Optimise productivity while maintaining a strong organisational culture.
• Oversee seamless day-to-day operations across sales, marketing, and business development.
• Drive operational efficiency through effective management practices.
• Implement robust risk-management and compliance strategies.
• Align business objectives with sustainability and community initiatives.
• Lead the development and execution of divisional budgets.
• Drive profitability, cost optimisation, and financial performance.
• Develop business plans, strategies, and turnover initiatives to support sustainable growth.
• Maintain strong relationships with members, suppliers, stakeholders, and financial teams.
• Implement effective financial controls, performance measures, and accountability processes.
• Develop customer-centric relationships to strengthen brand loyalty and market share.
• Analyse market data, competition, and industry trends to identify opportunities.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Oversee pricing strategies and promotional initiatives.
• Drive competitive positioning and sustainable business growth.
• Foster an executive culture focused on agility, resilience, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Provide decisive leadership and direction during periods of change or business transformation.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Business development

Financial acumen

Change management

Risk management

People management

Sales operations

Negotiation

Marketing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Economics

MBA

Job description

Requirements:

• Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum 7+ years' experience in senior leadership or executive management roles.
• Proven experience leading business operations and sales within a high-turnover environment.
• Experience within the FMCG sector
• Strong strategic planning and business development capabilities.
• Demonstrated financial and commercial acumen.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, profitability, cost optimisation, and financial controls.
• Proven ability to develop and execute business strategies.
• Strong leadership and people-management capabilities.
• Strong understanding of risk management and compliance.
• Strong change-management and transformation capabilities.
• Strong understanding of sales, marketing, operations, and business development.
• Ability to identify and capitalise on new business and market opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute business strategies aligned with market leadership and customer requirements.
• Drive innovation, transformation, and continuous improvement across the business.
• Identify and capitalise on expansion, new business, and market-penetration opportunities.
• Lead and develop a high-performing management team.
• Strengthen leadership capabilities and workforce efficiency.
• Promote employee engagement, organisational health, diversity, and inclusion.
• Optimise productivity while maintaining a strong organisational culture.
• Oversee seamless day-to-day operations across sales, marketing, and business development.
• Drive operational efficiency through effective management practices.
• Implement robust risk-management and compliance strategies.
• Align business objectives with sustainability and community initiatives.
• Lead the development and execution of divisional budgets.
• Drive profitability, cost optimisation, and financial performance.
• Develop business plans, strategies, and turnover initiatives to support sustainable growth.
• Maintain strong relationships with members, suppliers, stakeholders, and financial teams.
• Implement effective financial controls, performance measures, and accountability processes.
• Develop customer-centric relationships to strengthen brand loyalty and market share.
• Analyse market data, competition, and industry trends to identify opportunities.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Oversee pricing strategies and promotional initiatives.
• Drive competitive positioning and sustainable business growth.
• Foster an executive culture focused on agility, resilience, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Provide decisive leadership and direction during periods of change or business transformation.

Please note that if you do not receive a response within 2 weeks, your application has been unsuccessful.