Sales Representative - Francis Town

AkzoNobel; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading paints company in Johannesburg is seeking a dedicated sales professional to manage customer relationships and grow financial targets. The ideal candidate has a degree and a minimum of 3 years of experience in the FMCG or paints industry. Strong analytical and communication skills are crucial for success in this role, which offers a commitment to diversity and an inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years sales experience in FMCG or paints industry.
• Service-driven mindset.

Responsibilities

• Meet and grow financial targets (Revenue, Volume, Margins).
• Maintain good relations with customers and stakeholders.
• Monitor competitor activities and construction-related developments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree holder or equivalent

Job description

About AkzoNobel

Since its inception, we’ve been supplying innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world-class portfolio of brands—including Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon—is trusted by customers around the globe. We operate in more than [number] countries and leverage our expertise to sustain and enhance everyday life. We believe every surface is an opportunity. As a pioneering and long-established paints company, we are dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today—while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

Job Purpose

• Meet and grow financial targets (Revenue, Volume, Margins) - 20%
• Customer Relationship Management - 20%
• Trade Pipeline Management - 20%
• Product Specifications & Project Monitoring - 20%
• Administration - 20%

Key Accountabilities

Externally

• Solicit orders and maintain good relations with customers and stakeholders.
• Ensure customer expectations are met.
• Monitor competitor activities and construction-related developments.
• Maintain relations with architects, quantity surveyors, and project managers.
• Follow up on outstanding orders and assist credit department with overdue collections.
• Develop and maintain in-store imaging aligned with corporate standards.
• Visit customers to advance sales, merchandise shelves, and ensure product availability.
• Manage individual customer pricing via the Pricing Model document in Excel, updating costs regularly.
• Process customer orders with the help of the Customer Service Unit (CSU).
• Schedule and conduct product and sales training for customer staff.
• Plan and execute customer days and participate in sales promotions.
• Assist customers with specifications, color selection, estimations, pricing, and merchandising.
• Strive to meet and exceed volume, revenue, and gross profit targets as per budgets.

Internally

• Protect profitability by managing margins and seeking approval for deviations.
• Complete and update Call Planners weekly; submit forecasts monthly.
• Update pricing models and liaise with Sales Administration on specials and expirations.
• Conduct annual business reviews with customers for growth opportunities.
• Complete and submit PDDs.
• Maintain filing systems for customer lists, lead generation, market intelligence, competitor analysis, and price surveys.
• Familiarize and comply with Dulux and AkzoNobel SHE policies.
• Use personal protective equipment correctly and report SHE issues.
• Conduct site walk-abouts and report findings.

Experience

• Degree holder or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years sales experience in FMCG or paints industry.
• Good analytical, presentation, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Service-driven mindset.

At AkzoNobel, we are committed to an inclusive and respectful workplace that embraces diversity and tolerance. Our talent acquisition process aims to build a diverse environment. We provide training on unconscious bias to ensure fair consideration for all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability.