Sales Director - South Africa

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive executive salary &

Company vehicle & travel allowances

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an accomplished Sales Director to lead our client's commercial operations across South Africa, based in Durban. This executive role demands strategic vision to drive revenue growth, expand market share, and manage a large national sales team.

You will build strong relationships with key retailers, distributors and partners, while shaping the sales strategy and budget to maximize profitability.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive sales leadership experience within FMCG in South Africa.
• Proven track record of growing large sales teams and exceeding targets.
• Deep understanding of SA FMCG retail landscape, distribution channels and key accounts.
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen and financial management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sales strategies to meet or exceed revenue targets across all product lines in SA.
• Lead, coach, and motivate the national sales team for high performance.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, distributors and retail partners.
• Analyze sales data, market trends and competitors to identify opportunities and threats.
• Develop and manage the annual sales budget and allocate resources for profitability.
• Collaborate with marketing, supply chain and finance to align objectives.
• Identify new business opportunities and market segments for long-term growth.
• Oversee execution of sales plans, promotions and trade marketing activities.
• Provide regular strategic reports to senior leadership and represent the company at industry events.

Skills

Sales leadership

Strategic thinking

Financial management

Leadership coaching

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

MBA preferred

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the FMCG sector, is seeking a highly accomplished and results-driven Sales Director to lead its commercial operations across South Africa, based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA . This critical role demands a strategic visionary capable of developing and executing high-impact sales strategies to drive revenue growth and expand market share. You will be responsible for leading a large and diverse sales force, fostering a high-performance sales culture, and building strong relationships with key retail partners and distributors. This is an office-based position, requiring significant travel within the region to engage directly with teams and clients. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of the South African FMCG market, exceptional leadership capabilities, and a proven track record of exceeding sales targets. You will be at the forefront of shaping our commercial future in a dynamic and challenging market. Join our client's executive team and play a pivotal role in their continued success and expansion within Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA and the wider South African market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive sales strategies to achieve and exceed revenue targets across all product lines in South Africa.
• Lead, coach, and motivate the national sales team, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with key customers, distributors, and retail partners.
• Analyze sales performance data, market trends, and competitor activities to identify opportunities and challenges.
• Develop and manage the annual sales budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and maximizing profitability.
• Collaborate with marketing, supply chain, and finance departments to ensure alignment of sales strategies with overall business objectives.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities and market segments to drive long-term growth.
• Oversee the execution of sales plans, promotional activities, and trade marketing initiatives.
• Provide regular reports and strategic insights on sales performance, market dynamics, and competitive intelligence to senior leadership.
• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and client meetings.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive sales leadership experience within the FMCG industry in South Africa.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and growing large sales teams and exceeding ambitious sales targets.
• Deep understanding of the South African FMCG retail landscape, distribution channels, and key account management.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, business acumen, and financial management skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and motivational abilities.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing complex sales strategies.
• Proficiency in sales CRM systems and data analysis tools.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• Willingness to travel extensively within South Africa.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, pension fund, and performance bonuses.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement within a global organization.
• Company vehicle and travel allowances.
• Opportunity to lead and shape the sales strategy for a major FMCG player in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA .
• Exposure to diverse product portfolios and innovative market approaches.