Influential Key Account Manager - KZN

Pernod Ricard; Durban; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Pernod Ricard in KwaZulu-Natal seeks an Influential Key Account Manager to sell and activate our prestige spirits and champagnes to on-trade customers in Durban and surrounding areas, with emphasis on main market and nightlife venues.

You will build relationships with retailers and distributors, drive sales growth, manage activations and promotions, and ensure premium brand representation across all touchpoints.

Qualifications

• National Diploma level in commerce, sales or marketing preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years sales experience in the liquor industry or FMCG.
• On-Trade experience required.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Willing to work weekends and attend planned activations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute plans to increase market share in KZN’s on-trade channels.
• Negotiate deals and discounts within approved parameters.
• Resolve customer queries and problems promptly.
• Drive new listings and achieve sales targets.
• Coordinate promotions and activations with regional and agency partners.
• Maintain merchandising standards and distribution targets.
• Build and maintain relationships with retailers and re-distributors.

Skills

On-Trade Experience

Driver's License

Willing to work weekends

Education

National Diploma in Commerce/Sales/Marketing

Job description

We are seeking a dynamic and culturally savvy Influential Key Account Manager to join our KZN team. This role focuses on selling and activating our portfolio of Prestige spirits and champagnes to a select group of on-trade customers in KZN, with a primary emphasis on the main market and nightclubs. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving sales and consumer engagement for our ultra-premium cognacs, whiskies, tequilas, and champagnes.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Sales and growth in market share are increased through targeted sales and marketing activities

Generate sales from existing customers

• Business Plan Management
• Call plan implemented
• Deals and discounts negotiated within agreed parameters
• Customer queries and problems resolved
• Increased sales volumes negotiated within allocated sales area
• New listings and sales targets achieved as per sales plan
• Calls and sales volumes recorded on standard daily working sheets and PDA
• Weekly and monthly sales and ad hoc promotions reports submitted on time according to agreed format on PDA

Implement sales and marketing strategy effectively

• Visibility agreements in key locations to drive brand awareness
• Additional visibility opportunities identified and implemented
• Product availability/ distribution targets implemented
• Merchandising standards are maintained
• Segmentation tool implemented (PDA)

Implement promotions

• Activations arranged according to the activation plan
• Promotional stock, staff and point of sale for promotions are managed effectively
• Activations set up and implemented according to set criteria and on time
• Feedback form on the outcomes of the activations provided to sales management according to agreed deadline

Develop brand equity

• Activation reflect brand appropriate look and feel
• Consumers engaged through luxury events and activations
• Bar staff engaged and trained to promote our Strategic brands
• Relationships with equity accounts developed and maintained

Generate new business

• New business initiated as per targets
• Relationships with re-distributors developed
• Leads followed up and feedback provided to sales managers
• Business opportunities to sell product range identified
• Documentation required for the opening of new accounts collated and followed up
• New equity accounts identified

Productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders maintained

Build relationships with customers and re-distributors

• Increased sales volumes negotiated
• Customer queries and problems resolved effectively
• Pernod Ricard is a preferred supplier
• Business opportunities to sell product range identified

Liaise with Merchandisers

• Merchandising standards are maintained
• Ad hoc merchandising opportunities exploited

Develop collaborative relationship with the PRSA and Re- distributor Call Centres

• Orders are captured correctly and on time
• Out of stock information available to reps
• On hold accounts information available to reps

Liaise with Regional Promotions Manager & Activation Agencies

• Promotions set up and implemented according to set criteria and on time
• Feedback form on the outcomes of the promotion provided to sales management according to agreed deadline
• Management of agency activation standards, to ensure high standards are met and aligned to Brand CI

Build collaborative relationships with bar staff and venue owners

• New trends identified
• Pernod Ricard is the preferred supplier

Key Competencies and Experience

Functional and Technical Competencies:

• Market & Environment, Commercial Strategy, Results Orientation, Negotiation Techniques, Promotion, Merchandising, Evaluation of Commercial Activities, Customer relationship Management, Sales Team Management, strong understanding of selling luxury products and high margin experiences.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Effective Decision Making, Planning and Organizing, Team Work, Communication, Technical Expertise, Presentation Skills, Influencing & Negotiation, Big Picture Thinking, Innovation, Change Management, Making Things Happen, Initiative, culturally savvy, influential.

Qualifications and Experience:

• National Diploma level with commerce, sales and marketing preferable
• Minimum of 2 years sales experience in the liquor industry or within an FMCG environment
• On-Trade Experience
• Valid Driver's License
• Willing to work weekends and attend all planned ad hoc activations

Job Posting End Date:

Target Hire Date** :**

2026-11-01

Target End Date :