National Key Accounts Manager

Placements24; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car with fuel allowance

Medical aid

Pension fund

Life cover

Travel allowances

Accommodation support

Career progression

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking a results-driven National Key Accounts Manager based in Midrand, Gauteng. You will lead national retail and wholesale partnerships, drive growth, and shape the commercial strategy for a diverse FMCG product portfolio.

The role requires extensive travel across SA, strong negotiation and relationship-building skills, and a track record of managing key accounts and achieving sales targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Commerce, or related field.
• 8+ years of sales experience with at least 5 years in Key Account Management in FMCG.
• Proven success with national accounts and sales growth.
• Exceptional negotiation, presentation and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively across South Africa.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and MS Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic account plans to achieve sales targets.
• Build strong relationships with national retail chains and wholesale partners.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, promotions, and placements to maximize sales.
• Analyze sales performance, market trends and competitors’ activities.
• Collaborate with marketing, supply chain and finance for seamless execution.
• Present business reviews, forecasts and strategic recommendations to stakeholders.
• Manage P&L for key accounts and ensure profitability.
• Identify new opportunities within existing accounts and national partners.
• Stay informed about industry developments affecting FMCG retail.

Skills

Key account management

Negotiation

Relationship building

Sales forecasting

Presentation skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Marketing/Commerce

Tools

CRM software

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent leader in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, is seeking an ambitious and results-driven National Key Accounts Manager to join their esteemed sales team in Midrand, Gauteng. This critical role involves managing and growing relationships with our largest and most strategic retail and wholesale partners across the nation. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional negotiation skills, a deep understanding of the FMCG retail landscape, and a proven track record of success in managing key accounts. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the commercial strategy for key partnerships and drive significant growth for our client's diverse product portfolio. The role requires extensive travel across South Africa, with Midrand serving as the central hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic account plans to achieve and exceed sales targets for designated key accounts.
• Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with key decision-makers at national retail chains and wholesale partners.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, promotions, and placement agreements to maximize sales and profitability.
• Analyze sales performance, market trends, and competitor activities to identify opportunities and threats.
• Collaborate with internal teams (marketing, supply chain, finance) to ensure seamless execution of account plans and customer support.
• Develop and present business reviews, sales forecasts, and strategic recommendations to key account stakeholders and senior management.
• Manage the P&L for assigned key accounts, ensuring profitability and effective budget management.
• Identify new business opportunities within existing key accounts and across potential new national partners.
• Stay informed about industry developments and emerging trends affecting the FMCG retail sector.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Commerce, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in sales, with at least 5 years specifically in Key Account Management within the FMCG industry.
• Demonstrated success in managing national accounts and achieving significant sales growth.
• Exceptional negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and market insights.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships.
• Experience in financial management and P&L responsibility for accounts.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively across South Africa.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and MS Office Suite.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Midrand, Gauteng.

Benefits

• Highly attractive base salary with significant commission and bonus potential.
• Comprehensive medical aid, pension fund, and life cover.
• Company vehicle with fuel allowance.
• Opportunities for extensive professional development and career progression within a leading FMCG company.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Travel allowances and accommodation support.