Sales Acceleration Manager

Mars, Incorporated And Its Affiliates; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars, Incorporated And Its Affiliates is seeking a Sales Acceleration Manager in Johannesburg to lead customer development and sales initiatives. The role focuses on driving brand strategy execution and visibility, working cross-functionally with sales and marketing teams. Candidates should have a background in Trade Marketing, with strong negotiation and shopper insight capabilities. An MBA is advantageous, and the position offers an attractive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Best-in-class learning and development support

Industry competitive salary

Company bonus

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years experience in Trade Marketing or Category Management.
• Strong customer and marketing experience.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute sales acceleration strategy for Royal Canin and Eukanuba brands.
• Lead in-store excellence initiatives and ensure brand visibility.
• Develop activation plans and oversee trade activities.

Skills

Negotiating

Promotional Planning

Retailer Collaboration

Shopper Insights

Customer Experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing or related field

MBA

Job description

Job Description :

Sales Acceleration Manager - Royal Canin Johannesburg, South Africa

We're looking for a Sales Acceleration Manager to lead impactful customer development and sales initiatives across South Africa.

In this role, you'll bring our brand strategy to life at the point of purchase—ensuring every activation is insight-led, shopper-focused, and flawlessly executed.

Working at the intersection of sales, marketing, and category management, you'll play a key role in driving visibility, conversion, and growth across all channels.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing or related field.
• MBA is advantageous.
• A minimum of 5 years experience in Trade Marketing or Category Management.
• Experience in promotional planning, retailer collaboration, and shopper insights.
• Strong customer and marketing experience, including selling, negotiating, and leveraging insights.
• Ability to travel nationally & internationally based on company requirements.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Shape and execute the sales acceleration strategy to grow Royal Canin and Eukanuba brands across all channels, aligning with global and regional priorities.
• Lead in-store excellence initiatives including Perfect Store and Perfect Clinic activations, ensuring consistent brand visibility and impactful shopper experiences.
• Drive commercial planning and execution by developing activation plans, deploying tools, and overseeing trade activities that bring the brand to life at the point of purchase.
• Lead category development efforts by turning shopper insights into growth strategies, influencing internal stakeholders, and partnering with key customers to unlock category potential.
• Oversee inventory, budget, and procurement processes to ensure efficient resource use and strong ROI across promotional and merchandising initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and external partners to ensure plans are insight-led, customer-centric, and deliver strong business results.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over diverse and talented associates, guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.
• Mars is an equal opportunity employer, considering all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.