We are a Supply Chain and Sales & Merchandising partner adding value to your business through a fully integrated, temperature-controlled network in Southern Africa.

But we are also more than that. We are people serving people. While we boast the best in tech and infrastructure, our people are our greatest resource. With our skilled, curious, can-do people at the forefront, our assets become your assets, our service your solutions.

Vector’s vehicle fleet includes a food industry first in ‘multi-temperature’ vehicles enabling the company to service business across frozen, chilled and ambient temperature zones on a single delivery.

Job Purpose
To be an effective
sales and merchandising agent to retail, franchise and wholesale customers by
maintaining regular contact and providing relevant solutions based on a clear
understanding of the Customer's business, the macro environment and the principal's
products.

Key Responsibilities

Customer
Engagement

• Where not defined, establish an effective route plan to achieve
  maximum call rate efficiencies each day for the month.

• Conduct research, preparation and planning to achieve the relevant
  objectives for both Vector and the customer.
  This includes:
• Analysis of the customer’s micro (business objectives, operational
  capacity, storage facilities, wastage etc) and macro environment (trends,
  competitors, economic climate etc).
• Analysis of Principal products and capabilities so that the right
  solutions can be matched to the gaps or opportunities found in the
  customer analysis.
• Execute Principal priorities for the month.
• Ensure successful promotional compliance and implementation.
• Revert on stores that are non-compliant re promotional activities.
• Securing the necessary resources to demonstrate to the customer the
  relevant solution (e.g. products needed for demonstrations, financial
  tools, product brochures etc.)
• Based on the above analysis, put together a monthly planner that
  shows potential revenue and new line listings, by customer, to deliver
  against set targets. Where relevant use the IT system to assist in monthly
  planning.
• In call, follow up previous sold solutions and present new
  opportunities based on real insight from the research and analysis done.
• Take orders of new line listings and other relevant solution
  products.
• Launch new products into assigned customers.
• Conduct planned promotions with assigned customers.
• Drive volume deals or deals provided by Principal key accounts
  managers with assigned customers.

Feedback

• Provide quality feedback to
  the supply chain and other relevant functions when required as well as when
  there is pertinent information (i.e. competitor activity).

Customer
Relationship Management

• Maintain and expand the customer base by building and maintaining
  good relationships with key customers and recognizing new customer
  opportunities.
• Understand key customers’ operations and strategies as well as
  their requirements and trends.
• Gather area market intelligence.
• Ensure the customer service policy is rigidly implemented and
  maintained.
  Resolve escalated customer queries and issues professionally and in
  the best interest of all parties.

Supply Chain and
Distribution Management

• Address area stock availability issues with depots.
• Oversee the area order taking and waste management process.
• Achieve New Product Development (NPD) & Depth of Distribution
  (DOD) target within 8 weeks of launch in line with the project plan and
  provide feedback on non-compliant stores.
• Ensure that you implement a daily pre-call planning schedule with
  clear objective that you need to achieve the following day on stores you
  need to visit.
• Pre-Call planning document should always be with you and be able to
  present to your manager or principal on request.

Managing
short-dated stock

• Analyse monthly queries and complaints (QNC) report on short-dated
  stock.
• Provide your regional sales manager with monthly feedback.
• Zero expired stock to be found on shelf.
• Ensure your staff log short-dated stock within the principal
  requirements.

Team Coordination
and Self-Management

• Champion training and development of self and others through
  utilizing available training opportunities.
• Demonstrate willingness to help others and “go the extra mile” to
  meet team targets and objectives.
• Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of
  work are consistently and accurately maintained.
• Inform relevant parties in the event of tasks or deadlines not met,
  the potential risks thereof and provide appropriate resolution.
• Maintain a basic appreciation and awareness of employee relations
  climate and ensure corrective action is taken where required in line with
  relevant legislation and company policy.
• Manage colleagues and clients’ expectations and communicate
  appropriately.
  Participate in and drive regular performance appraisals and ensure
  that own targets and goals are clear and achievable.
• Support and drive the business core values.
  Take ownership and accountability for tasks and activities and
  demonstrate effective self-management in terms of planning, prioritizing,
  and self-development.
• Call on customers as per the defined cluster list and adhere to
  Service Level Agreement (SLA) of 80% collage.
• Management and control of capital and operating costs and all
  immoveable and moveable assets within the scope of responsibility.
• Utilize Power BI reports to your advantage in terms of stock
  management, sales target and returns.
• Maintain a basic appreciation and awareness of employee relations
  climate and ensure corrective action is taken where required in line with
  relevant legislation and company policy.

Budget Management

• Drive the achievement of the area sales budgets in terms of volume.

District Team
Supervision

• Supervise merchandisers in respective stores by checking daily
  attendance, shelf health adherence and all tasks loaded on Handheld
  Technology (HHT) is captured as per deadline requirements.
• Effective management of company cell phones and monthly reporting
  and feedback on any losses.

• Facilitate staff leave requests and general time management issues
  in line with organizational deliverables and standards.
  

KPI’s

• Time to answer customers’ requests (response time to request).
• Calls per day SLA 80% collage.
• Call focus on strategic customers.
• Drive sales volumes and value growth.
• Customer contact coverage.
• Employee supervision.

Key Relationships

Internal

• Customer team.
• Operations Team.
• Customer Service Centre team.

External

• Existing and potential retail, franchise and wholesale customers.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for the Job

Qualifications and Experience

• Matric.
• Marketing and sales degree or diploma (preferable).
• Valid Code EB drivers’ license.
• 1 to 2 years direct selling experience.
• Own vehicle

Skills and Competencies
Skills

• Achieving sales, profitability, and budget goals.
  
• Analytical thinking.
• Computer literacy (MS Office and Digital applications).
• Direct selling.
• Interpersonal skills to effectively communicate, interact, and work
  with individuals and groups.
• Logical thinking.
• Planning and organization.
• Problem solving.
• Verbal and written communication.
• People management.

Attributes

• Able to prioritize.
• Attention to detail.
• Commitment to building strong business relationships with
  customers.
• Deadline driven.
• High-energy self-starter as well as collaborative team player.
• Initiative and assertive.
• Professional.
• Tolerant of stress and pressure.

We look forward to hearing from you!