Sales Manager

Robert Walters; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in the food and beverage sector is seeking a Sales Manager based in Johannesburg. This role involves driving strategic growth and managing key relationships with major retailers, contributing to product launches, and executing sales strategies that penetrate local and export markets.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in sales within the food and beverage industry.
• At least 5 years managing key accounts in retail.
• Familiarity with export operations and New Product Development.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic sales plans focused on revenue growth.
• Manage key account relationships with major retailers.
• Oversee product launches and align with commercial strategies.

Skills

Relationship Building

Analytical Skills

Teamwork

Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics or related field

Job description

Join to apply for the Sales Manager role at Robert WaltersJoin to apply for the Sales Manager role at Robert WaltersA leading organisation in the food and beverage sector is seeking a Sales Manager to drive strategic growth, manage high-value retail accounts, and expand market presence across both local and export channels.

This role offers you the opportunity to shape commercial strategy, work closely with major supermarket groups, and play a key part in launching new products that resonate with consumers.

You will be joining a business renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and collaborative culture, where your expertise will directly influence success in the formal retail and export markets.

If you are passionate about building relationships, leveraging market insights, and delivering results through teamwork, this position provides an exciting platform for your next career move.Play a pivotal role in shaping sales strategy and expanding into new African export markets while working alongside knowledgeable teams committed to excellence.Manage and nurture relationships with top-tier retailers such as Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Spar, and Woolworths, ensuring customer satisfaction and long-term partnerships.Contribute to new product launches and cross-functional initiatives that keep the business at the forefront of category trends within the food and beverage industry.What you'll do : As a Sales Manager based in Johannesburg, you will immerse yourself in a multifaceted role that blends strategic thinking with hands-on relationship management.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will see you developing robust sales plans that not only target revenue growth but also foster deeper connections with established retail partners.

By identifying untapped opportunities-especially within Africa's burgeoning export markets-you will help steer the business towards sustainable expansion.

Working collaboratively with internal teams across supply chain, marketing, and product development functions ensures your efforts are fully aligned with broader organisational goals.

You will take ownership of key account management for some of South Africa's most prominent supermarket groups, guiding negotiations and promotional planning while maintaining a sharp focus on customer satisfaction.

Your analytical skills will be put to use as you interpret market data to refine commercial tactics.

Additionally, your involvement in new product launches will allow you to contribute meaningfully to innovation pipelines.

Through mentoring team members and engaging in strategic reviews, you will help cultivate a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to succeed.Drive and execute comprehensive sales plans designed to achieve ambitious revenue targets and increase customer penetration across formal retail and export markets.Identify emerging opportunities by researching new markets, particularly focusing on expansion into Africa's dynamic retail landscape.Lead business development activities that align with brand positioning while collaborating closely with supply chain, marketing, and product development teams to ensure seamless execution of commercial strategies.Manage key account relationships with major supermarket groups by overseeing annual negotiations, promotions planning, joint business planning sessions, and ongoing customer engagement.Analyse customer data and market trends to inform effective product placement decisions as well as promotional activities that maximise visibility and sales impact.Ensure consistent delivery of exceptional customer service standards by implementing robust satisfaction strategies tailored to each retail partner's needs.Support ideation and execution of new product launches by acting as the commercial lead within cross-functional teams responsible for packaging, pricing, and go-to-market strategies.Monitor competitor activity, track retail performance metrics, and assess category movements to inform tactical adjustments that maintain competitive advantage.Prepare detailed sales forecasts, pipeline updates, and performance reports using advanced analytics to support actionable decision-making processes.Mentor direct sales support personnel or external partners while actively participating in company-wide strategy reviews aimed at continuous improvement.What you bring : To excel as a Sales Manager in this organisation, you will bring extensive experience from senior roles within the food and beverage sector-particularly those involving close collaboration with major retailers.

Your academic background provides a solid foundation for understanding complex commercial environments while your practical experience managing key accounts ensures you can nurture valuable relationships over time.

Familiarity with export operations into Africa gives you an edge when exploring new growth avenues beyond domestic borders.

Your involvement in New Product Development projects means you are comfortable contributing ideas that drive category innovation.

Strong interpersonal skills enable you to communicate effectively across all levels of the business while your analytical mindset allows you to interpret data for informed decision-making.

As someone who thrives on teamwork and supports others' development through mentorship or guidance, you embody the values needed for collective achievement.

High emotional intelligence helps you remain composed during challenging situations so that solutions are found collaboratively.Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics or any related commercial field is required; a postgraduate qualification would be considered an added advantage for this role.A minimum of 10 years' experience within the food and beverage industry in a senior sales capacity demonstrates your deep understanding of sector dynamics.At least 5 years managing key accounts within formal retail environments such as Shoprite, Spar or Woolworths showcases your ability to build lasting partnerships with major players.A proven track record of at least 3 years working with a leading tea brand highlights your specialised knowledge within this category.Experience driving export sales into African markets is highly desirable as it reflects your capability to navigate complex international channels.Exposure to New Product Development (NPD) processes is advantageous for supporting innovation initiatives from concept through launch.Expertise in strategic sales planning combined with strong commercial acumen enables you to deliver on ambitious growth objectives.Exceptional communication skills paired with negotiation prowess ensure positive outcomes during high-stakes discussions with customers or partners.Demonstrated leadership abilities including mentoring team members foster a collaborative environment focused on shared success.High levels of emotional intelligence coupled with resilience equip you to thrive under pressure while adapting quickly to change.Seniority levelSeniority levelEntry levelEmployment typeEmployment typeFull-timeJob functionJob functionBusiness DevelopmentIndustriesWholesale Food and BeverageReferrals increase your chances of interviewing at Robert Walters by 2xGet notified about new Sales Manager jobs in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 5 days agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 2 days agoSandton, Gauteng, South Africa 6 days agoClayville, Gauteng, South Africa 9 hours agoBusiness Sales Consultant - Randburg (Head Office) X 5 Positions (B2B)Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 week agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 month agoCity of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 week agoCity of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 3 days agoCity of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 2 weeks agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 21 hours agoCity of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 4 weeks agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 10 hours agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 20 hours agoRandburg, Gauteng, South Africa ZAR13,.00-ZAR26,.00 2 weeks agoBryanston, Gauteng, South Africa 2 days agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 5 days agoSales Manager Used Vehicles (Hyundai Bryanston)Bryanston, Gauteng, South Africa 5 days agoJohannesburg Metropolitan Area 1 week agoRandburg, Gauteng, South Africa ZAR13,.00-ZAR26,.00 1 month agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 4 days agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 week agoJohannesburg Metropolitan Area 2 days agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 2 months agoCity of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 2 days agoJohannesburg Metropolitan Area 1 week agoJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 1 week agoCity of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 3 weeks agoWe're unlocking community knowledge in a new way.

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