Senior Sales Director - Consumer Packaged Goods

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary + commission

Medical aid & provident fund

Company vehicle & fuel allowance

Career advancement opportunities

Hybrid working in Durban

Exposure to leading FMCG brands

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a strategic Senior Sales Director to lead sales operations across the region. The role focuses on revenue growth, market share expansion, and building lasting relationships with national retail partners and distributors.

This hybrid position combines office leadership with field visits, overseeing a high-performing sales team and collaborating with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to execute go-to-market plans.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive sales leadership experience in FMCG.
• Experience managing large national/regional accounts and leading multi-faceted sales teams.
• In-depth knowledge of SA FMCG retail environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sales strategies to achieve revenue targets and market share objectives within the territory.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of sales professionals to a high-performance culture.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with national and regional retail accounts, distributors, and channel partners.
• Oversee planning and execution of promotions, trade marketing, and launches.
• Analyze sales data and market trends to identify opportunities and adjust strategies.
• Manage the regional sales budget and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain for go-to-market execution.
• Prepare regular forecasts and leadership-ready reports.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities to expand reach and product portfolio.
• Represent the company at industry events and trade shows.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Team management

CRM experience

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Marketing/Sales Management

MBA (plus)

Tools

Salesforce

MS Office Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dominant player in the **FMCG** industry, is seeking a strategic and highly motivated Senior Sales Director to lead their sales operations in the **Durban, KwaZulu-Natal** region. This pivotal role is responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding market share, and building strong, lasting relationships with key retail partners and distributors across the territory. The Senior Sales Director will develop and execute innovative sales strategies, manage a high-performing sales team, and ensure the effective distribution of a diverse portfolio of **FMCG** products. This hybrid role requires significant time spent in the **Durban** office for team leadership and strategic planning, balanced with field visits to foster client relationships and oversee market execution. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the **South African FMCG** retail landscape and a proven ability to inspire and lead sales teams to exceed targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive sales strategies to achieve and surpass revenue targets and market share objectives within the assigned territory.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of sales professionals, fostering a high-performance culture and driving individual development.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key national and regional retail accounts, distributors, and other channel partners.
• Oversee the planning and execution of sales promotions, trade marketing initiatives, and new product launches.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitor activities to identify opportunities and challenges, and adapt sales strategies accordingly.
• Manage the regional sales budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources and maximizing return on investment.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain departments to ensure alignment and seamless execution of go-to-market plans.
• Prepare regular sales forecasts, performance reports, and strategic plans for senior leadership.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities to expand the company's reach and product portfolio.
• Represent the company at industry events and trade shows.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales Management, or a related field. An MBA is a plus.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in sales leadership roles within the **FMCG** sector, with a proven track record of success.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large national/regional accounts and leading multi-faceted sales teams.
• In-depth knowledge of the **South African FMCG** retail environment, including major retail chains and distribution networks.
• Strong understanding of sales forecasting, budgeting, and P&L management.
• Exceptional leadership, negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic sales plans.
• Proficiency in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce) and MS Office Suite.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel extensively within the **Durban** region and surrounds.
• Ability to effectively balance office-based strategic work with field-based client engagement in a hybrid model.

Benefits

• Highly competitive base salary and attractive commission/bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical aid, provident fund, and life insurance benefits.
• Company vehicle and fuel allowance.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership development.
• A dynamic and collaborative hybrid working environment in **Durban**.
• Exposure to a leading portfolio of **FMCG** brands.