Sales and Distribution Manager | Germiston | Contract

Edge Executive Search Group; Germiston; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Edge Executive Search Group is seeking a Sales & Distribution Manager in South Africa to lead sales growth and optimise distribution across a defined territory. You will balance customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and profitability while ensuring products are consistently available across the market.

You will develop sales strategies, manage distribution resources, identify new business opportunities, and lead teams to exceed performance targets in a well-established FMCG and bakery

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Sales, Supply Chain Management, or related discipline.
• Five+ years' FMCG sales leadership experience.
• Experience in distribution, logistics or supply chain planning.
• Strong commercial, financial and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent business development and negotiation skills.
• Strong customer relationship management experience.
• Exceptional communication and leadership abilities.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive, results-oriented approach with a passion for operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales strategies to increase market share and drive revenue growth.
• Lead and inspire sales and distribution teams to achieve objectives and KPIs.
• Identify new markets, channels and commercial opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, retailers and stakeholders.
• Monitor sales performance and take corrective actions as needed.
• Analyse customer trends and pricing to identify growth opportunities.
• Ensure merchandising standards meet brand requirements.
• Optimize distribution operations for product availability and service levels.
• Oversee fleet utilisation, returns management, POS material and basket control.
• Drive continuous improvement across sales and distribution processes.
• Manage operational budgets and trade spend while maintaining cost efficiency.
• Lead performance management, coaching, and development of teams.
• Ensure compliance with policies and employment legislation.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Financial acumen

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Negotiation

Customer relationships

Communication

Decision making

Operational excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sales or Supply Chain

Job description

Sales & Distribution Manager | South Africa | Permanent

Lead commercial growth while driving operational excellence across sales and distribution. If you're an experienced FMCG leader who thrives on building high-performing teams, expanding markets, and delivering exceptional customer service, this opportunity is for you.

Our client is seeking an experienced Sales & Distribution Manager to lead sales growth and optimise distribution across a defined territory. This strategic role requires a commercially astute leader who can balance customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and profitability while ensuring products are consistently available across the market. You'll be responsible for developing sales strategies, managing distribution resources, identifying new business opportunities, and leading teams to exceed performance targets.

Join a well-established organisation within the FMCG and bakery sector that is recognised for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service. This business offers an environment where strong leadership, continuous improvement, and operational excellence are valued and rewarded.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute sales strategies to increase market share and drive sustainable revenue growth.

• Lead and inspire sales and distribution teams to consistently achieve business objectives and KPIs.

• Identify and develop new markets, sales channels, and commercial opportunities.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, retailers, and key stakeholders.

• Monitor sales performance and implement corrective actions where required.

• Analyse customer trends, competitor activity, and pricing to identify opportunities for growth.

• Ensure merchandising standards align with customer expectations and brand requirements.

• Optimise distribution operations to maximise product availability and customer service levels.

• Oversee fleet utilisation, returns management, point-of-sale material, and basket control.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across sales and distribution processes.

• Manage operational budgets and trade spend while maintaining cost efficiency.

• Lead performance management, succession planning, coaching, and development of sales and distribution teams.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, employment legislation, and operational standards.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's Degree in Sales, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline.

• Minimum five years' management experience within an FMCG sales environment.

• Three to five years' experience in distribution, logistics, or supply chain planning.

• Proven ability to lead large, high-performing operational teams.

• Strong commercial, financial, and analytical capability.

• Excellent business development and negotiation skills.

• Strong customer relationship management experience.

• Exceptional communication and leadership abilities.

• Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.

• A proactive, results-oriented approach with a passion for operational excellence.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent achievement of sales growth and profitability targets.

• Increased market share through new business development and customer retention.

• High-performing sales and distribution teams delivering against KPIs.

• Efficient distribution operations with improved customer service levels.

• Strong commercial partnerships that drive long-term business growth.

• Effective cost management while maintaining operational excellence and product quality.