Our clientis recruiting for two key leadership roles within its commercial team. Based on experience and location, the successful candidate will be considered for one of the following positions:
- General Manager Sales - based in Cape Town
- Head of Sales - based in Durban
These roles present an exciting opportunity for seasoned sales professionals to drive growth, lead high-performing teams, and contribute to strategic business objectives within a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
Key Performance Areas:
Achievement of National Sales Targets
- Develops and presents strategic sales plans to achieve and exceed national sales budgets and margin targets.
- Drives revenue and profitability growth across both new and existing accounts.
- Conducts market research, including inflationary trends and organic growth opportunities, to inform sales planning and budgeting.
- Continuously evaluates and adapts sales strategies to respond to market shifts and customer needs.
- Monitors and reports on the effectiveness of sales initiatives, making data-driven adjustments as needed.
Sales Team Leadership and Development
- Leads, mentors, and motivates a high-performing sales team to consistently achieve individual and team targets.
- Sets clear performance expectations and provides regular coaching and support to enhance team effectiveness.
- Conducts performance evaluations, identifies development needs, and ensures alignment with business goals.
- Facilitates regular team meetings to review progress, share insights, and drive continuous improvement.
- Fosters collaboration, accountability, and a results-driven culture within the team.
New Business Development
- Collaborates on the development and execution of a new business strategy.
- Analyzes market trends, competitor activity, and internal capabilities to identify growth opportunities.
- Establishes goals and plans to expand market share and improve the unit's contribution to broader organizational objectives.
- Leads market penetration efforts and identifies opportunities for product innovation and development.
- Converts short-term or occasional business into long-term strategic partnerships.
Customer Retention and Key Account Management
- Contributes to the development and implementation of customer retention strategies.
- Builds and maintains long-term relationships with key clients, participating in contract negotiations and strategic partnerships.
- Supports the sales team by engaging directly with top customers and resolving high-level service or account issues.
Relationship Management and Client Engagement
- Demonstrates strong relationship-building skills across new and existing accounts.
- Plays a key role in resolving customer disputes, particularly relating to technical or pricing concerns, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty.
Sales Performance and Training Management
- Implements effective mentoring and coaching strategies to drive individual and team performance.
- Works with HR to develop and execute sales training programs that address identified skills gaps.
- Defines performance standards, monitors key sales metrics (e.g., turnover, profitability, client visits, pipeline health), and ensures accurate and timely reporting.
- Develops and refines sales strategies based on performance analytics and market feedback.
Minimum Requirements:
Education and Experience:
- A Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is essential.
- A minimum of 10 years' experience in a senior sales leadership role within the printing / media / manufacturing sector.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage high-performing sales teams with strong interpersonal and people management skills.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation capabilities.
- In-depth knowledge of product applications within the printing industry, with a solid understanding of technical aspects related to design and manufacturing processes.
- Strong commercial insight and a clear understanding of the markets in which the company operates.
- Proficient in marketing principles and the development and execution of brand strategies on both a national and international scale.
Desired Skills:
- "General Manager Sales"
- "Head of Sales"
- "National Sales Budgets"