Regional Sales Manager

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size.

Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Key Accountabilities/OutcomeRegional Strategy Formulation and ImplementationFormulate short- and long-term regional strategies to deliver sustainable, profitable growth, consistent with the company’s strategic plans.

Participate in the S&OP product forecast process to drive improved forecast accuracy.

Work collaboratively across cross-functional teams to align demand and supply across the company.

Evaluate and monitor competitors and their activities and formulate proactive responses when required.

Ensure the development and achievement of strategic and operational targets.

Develop and monitor annual customer business plans.

Manage and penetrate key accounts and develop relationships that enable the achievement of all National and Regional Customer Business Plans.

Account and Customer Relationship ManagementMaintain direct engagement with all key customers, meeting regularly with their top management at least once every six weeks, or more frequently as business needs required.

Lead and develop associates within the context of the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employments Act and the Skills Development Act.

Conduct quarterly reviews with all buyers and Operational Managers. Conduct “round table” discussions with key customers and the relevant Rich’s associates for the purpose of bringing to the attention of the company: quality and service level issues, required product modification, improvement and new product development.

Ensure that customers have up to date knowledge of new products, market trends and performance statistics.

Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with key leaders in the market to form future planning and sales focus.

Operational Management and Regional LeadershipProvide leadership and sales strategy to continuously grow the sales region and achieve annual sales plans.

Represent cross functional teams.

Co-ordinate across segments and ensure adequate resource allocation across all segments.

Develop associate’s business acumen and people management.

Responsible for all Salesforce effectiveness, interaction and planning.

Formulate and implement a sales strategy that reflects regional sales goals, objectives and capabilities consistent with the Company’s strategic long-term plan.

Conduct strategic and forward planning for the sales region to ensure constant competitive advantage.

Lead and develop associates within the context of the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employments Act and the Skills Development Act.

Accountable for the development, performance monitoring and review of all associates performance and development plan.

Lead, plan, monitor and provide guidance to associates to ensure achievement of the monthly and annual sales plans. Monitor on a weekly or monthly basis.

Quarterly analysis of sales performances by Sales Associate, by Category and by Customer. Draft strategic plans to close gaps and follow-up with regular monitoring to ensure strong execution.

Managing of Warehouse and Distribution Partners.

Accountable for stock management in regional depots. Ensure close monitoring of stockholding to balance supply to demand and minimize risk of dated stock. Also ensure that basic warehouse principles are implemented i.e. stock rotation.

Accountable for depot ordering, ensuring placement of orders to keep a balanced stock holding, keeping a model stock cover of 2 weeks on non-KVI and 3 week’s cover on all KVI items.

Plan and manage quarterly stock counts in all depots.

Qualification/Skills/ExperienceBachelor’s degree in business, MBA preferred.

Minimum 8 years’ experience in Sales Management and Key Accounts, including oversight of complex customer relationships, national key accounts, and sales operations.

Experience in bakery or deli channel (advantageous).

Proven success in building and maintaining strong customer relationships that generate profitable opportunities.

Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.

Demonstrated ability to manage and lead large teams effectively.

Strong negotiation and presentation skills with a track record of influencing outcomes.

Deep customer focus and solid understanding of customer needs and expectations.

Rich Products Corporation South Africa, its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Rich’s”), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, family responsibility, ethnic or social origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, HIV status, conscience, belief, political opinion, culture, language, birth or on any other arbitrary ground.

The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equity Act and certain local laws.

A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich’s. Please contact Rich’s Human Resources department at careers@richza.com if you need assistance completing this application.