National Sales Manager

Unique Personnel boasts over 50 years (established in 1970) of personnel and staffing experience, so it's not surprising that even though our main focus has been providing on South African Staffing Solutions, we now recruit internationally for over 5000 clients

Duties & Responsibilities

  • The National Sales Manager will be responsible for leading and managing companies national sales function across all regions and channels.
  • The role will focus on achieving revenue and profitability targets, managing key customer relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and building a high-performing external sales team.
  • The National Sales Manager will work closely with internal departments, including Operations, Finance and Marketing, to ensure effective execution of the company's commercial strategy, product availability and customer satisfaction
  • Establish and monitor regional and national sales targets
  • Drive sustainable revenue, gross profit and market-share growth
  • Identify new markets, customer segments, channels and business opportunities
  • Develop strategies to strengthen companies position within the automotive aftermarket, energy, mining and related sectors.
  • Monitor competitor activity, market trends and customer requirements
  • Ensure the external sales team consistently achieves agreed sales and gross profit targets
  • Monitor individual, regional and national sales performance
  • Analyse sales performance and implement corrective actions where required
  • Ensure sales activities are aligned with company budgets and commercial objectives
  • Drive accountability and performance across the sales team
  • Lead, coach and develop the external sales team
  • Conduct regular performance reviews and provide ongoing feedback and guidance
  • Conduct regular field visits with sales representatives
  • Develop individual performance and development plans
  • Identify training and development needs within the sales team
  • Build a high-performing, motivated, and results-driven sales culture
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with key national customers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and strategic partners
  • Oversee the development and growth of key customer accounts
  • Participate in customer meetings, negotiations and commercial discussions
  • Ensure customer concerns and complaints are addressed effectively and timeously
  • Monitor customer satisfaction and identify opportunities to increase customer retention and sales
  • Identify and pursue new business opportunities across existing and new markets
  • Develop relationships with potential customers and strategic partners
  • Identify opportunities to expand companies product offering and customer base
  • Drive increased market penetration across targeted sectors
  • Prepare accurate national sales forecasts and budgets
  • Analyse sales data, customer trends and market activity
  • Provide regular sales performance reports to management
  • Monitor sales pipeline and future business opportunities
  • Maintain accurate customer and sales information on the company's CRM and reporting systems
  • Use sales data and market information to support commercial decision making
  • Manage the national sales budget and ensure effective use of resources
  • Oversee pricing, negotiations and commercial agreements within approved company guidelines
  • Monitor profitability and ensure sales growth supports the company's financial objectives
  • Maintain awareness of customer credit limits and debtor performance
  • Work with Finance to address outstanding accounts and manage customer-related financial risks
  • Collaborate with Finance regarding budgets, profitability, and customer accounts
  • Work with Marketing to support sales initiatives and market development
  • Ensure effective communication between the sales team and internal departments
  • Promote a customer focused and commercially aligned approach across the business
  • Represent company at customer meetings, industry events and trade show
  • Maintain strong visibility within the market and relevant industry sectors
  • Build the company's reputation and relationships within the automotive, energy, mining and related industries

Desired Experience & Qualification

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Sales, Marketing or a related field, or equivalent relevant practical experience
  • Minimum 10 years' experience in sales, with significant experience in a senior sales or sales management position
  • Proven experience managing national or regional customer portfolios
  • Proven track record of achieving sales targets, driving revenue growth and increasing market share
  • Proven experience leading, coaching and developing sales teams
  • Strong experience in sales strategy development and implementation
  • Strong business planning, forecasting and budgeting experience
  • Experience in key account management and commercial negotiations
  • Strong understanding of market dynamics, customer needs and competitor activity
  • Experience in the automotive aftermarket, batteries, renewable energy, mining or related industries would be advantageous
  • Strong financial and commercial acumen
  • Excellent negotiation, communication and presentation skills
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
  • Proficiency in CRM systems, sales reporting tools and Microsoft Office
  • Valid driver's license
  • Willingness and ability to travel nationally as required
  • SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
  • Strong understanding of national sales management and commercial strategy
  • Knowledge of the automotive aftermarket and related industries
  • Knowledge of batteries, renewable energy and energy products would be advantageous
  • Strong understanding of customer and market dynamics

  • Knowledge of sales forecasting, budgeting and performance management

  • CRM systems, sales analytics tools and Microsoft Office

  • Strategic sales planning and execution

  • Leadership and people management
  • Building and maintaining profitable customer relationships
  • Strong negotiation and commercial skills
  • Business development and account growth
  • Sales forecasting and analytical skills
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Coaching and performance management
  • Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities
  • Ability to work effectively across multiple departments
  • Ability to influence and motivate others to achieve results
  • Strong sense of urgency and accountability for achieving business objectives
  • Results-driven and commercially focused
  • Strategic and forward-thinking
  • Confident and decisive
  • Strong leadership presence
  • Ability to motivate and influence others
  • Customer and relationship focused
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced and target-driven environment
  • Adaptable and responsive to changing market conditions
  • Strong problem-solving orientation
  • Innovative and proactive in identifying business opportunities
  • High level of integrity and professionalism
  • Able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
  • Collaborative while maintaining strong accountability for results
  • Action-oriented and able to make timely decisions
  • BEHAVIOURAL
  • ATTRIBUTES
  • Well-organised
  • Self-motivated
  • Sales-driven
  • Commercially aware
  • Strong leadership skills
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Confident and persuasive
  • Customer-focused
  • Analytical and detail-oriented
  • Resilient and adaptable
  • Results-oriented
  • Strong relationship builder
  • High level of accountability
  • Professional and ethical
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