Job Description

Let’s be unstoppable together!

Circana is a leading provider of technology, AI, and data solutions for consumer packaged goods companies, manufacturers, and retailers. Our predictive analytics and Liquid Data® platform help clients measure market share, uncover consumer behavior, and drive growth—powered by six decades of expertise and an expansive, high-quality data set.

At Circana, we are fueled by our passion for continuous learning and growth, we seek and share feedback freely, and we celebrate victories both big and small in an environment that is flexible and accommodating to our work and personal lives.  We’re a global company dedicated to fostering inclusivity and belonging. We value and celebrate the unique experiences, cultures, and viewpoints that each individual brings. By embracing a wide range of backgrounds, skills, expertise, and beyond, we create a stronger, more innovative environment for our employees, clients, and communities. With us, you can always bring your full self to work.  Join our inclusive, committed team to be a challenger, own outcomes, and stay curious together. Circana is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work®. This prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Circana. Learn more at www.circana.com.

Our Critical Sales Skills

At the heart of our commercial success is a team of professionals who combine strategic insight, customer-centricity, and executional excellence. These skills represent the core capabilities required to drive value for our clients and sustainable growth for our business.

• Effectively Presents Solutions Delivers tailored, compelling solutions that align with customer needs and drive action.
• Knows the Buying Influences Identifies key decision-makers and understands their motivations and influence.
• Manages Buyer Indifference Recognizes and explores customer hesitation to uncover new needs or opportunities.
• Understands Customer Needs Operates as a recognized expert to articulate customer needs in the customer's business language and business context.
• Being Resilient Bounces back from setbacks with composure and positivity; helps others stay productive during tough times.
• Manages Ambiguity Stays focused and calm in uncertain situations; guides others through change.

What will you be doing?

The Retail Business Development Manager is a crucial member of the Retail team, and the ideal candidate needs to have a high degree of autonomy and problem‑solving capability, paired with superb organizational and interpersonal engagement skills, to deliver an all‑round excellent experience to Retail pursuits. They must be a resilient self‑starter who excels as an individual contributor and combines strong energy with a sharp commercial focus, operating with a hunter mentality to identify, pursue, and secure high‑value opportunities.

Job Responsibilities

• Drive Client Growth: Identify and pursue opportunities to expand client relationships by aligning Circana’s data and software solutions with their strategic goals.
• Manage the Sales Cycle: Lead end-to-end sales processes including prospecting, needs assessment, solution development, negotiation, and closing.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with internal teams (e.g., Client Insights, Product, and Analytics) to deliver integrated solutions and ensure client success.
• Maintain Industry Expertise: Stay current on trends in FMCG and Retail to position Circana as a thought leader and trusted advisor.
• Build Strategic Relationships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across client organizations, including decision-makers and influencers.
• Utilize Sales Tools and Platforms: Leverage Circana’s proprietary platforms (e.g., Unify+, Liquid Data, Intelligence Suite) to support client engagements and solution delivery.
• Achieve Revenue Targets: Meet or exceed individual and team sales goals through disciplined pipeline management and strategic account planning.
• Support Innovation and Feedback: Provide market feedback to internal teams to help refine offerings and contribute to product development.

Requirements

• 5–7 years of proven B2B sales experience within FMCG, retail, insights, analytics, or SaaS, with a track record of consistently exceeding targets.
• Demonstrated ability to run a full end‑to‑end sales cycle, including prospecting, qualifying, solution shaping, proposal development, negotiation, and closing.
• Strong expertise in sales pipeline management, using tools such as MS Dynamics to drive discipline, forecast accurately, and manage opportunity progression.
• Ability to confidently demonstrate Circana technologies (Unify+, Liquid Data) and translate technical features into commercial value for retail clients.
• Skilled in creating compelling proposals and business cases, including ROI calculations and commercial justification for executive approval.
• Strong commercial acumen with an understanding of contracting principles, deal structures, and value‑based solution selling.
• Exceptional ability to articulate complex data and technology solutions in a simple, persuasive, and impactful way to senior stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, with the ability to build high‑impact sales presentations, proposals, and commercial models.
• Energetic, resilient self-starter who performs strongly as an individual contributor and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced commercial environment.
• Ability to build strong, trusted relationships across retailer organizations, including decision-makers and influencers.
• Strong consultative selling capability, able to uncover needs, challenge client thinking, and align solutions to strategic business priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity and operate with calm focus during periods of change or evolving client expectations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences and respond to differing viewpoints with professionalism.
• Proactive approach to project and workload management, coordinating multiple pursuits and managing stakeholder expectations with clarity and discipline.

Circana Behaviors

As well as the technical skills, experience and attributes that are required for the role, our shared behaviors sit at the core of our organization. Therefore, we always look for people who can continuously champion these behaviors throughout the business within their day-to-day role:

• Stay Curious: Being hungry to learn and grow, always asking the big questions.
• Seek Clarity: Embracing complexity to create clarity and inspire action.
• Own the Outcome: Being accountable for decisions and taking ownership of our choices.
• Center on the Client: Relentlessly adding value for our customers.
• Be a Challenger: Never complacent, always striving for continuous improvement.
• Champion Inclusivity: Fostering trust in relationships engaging with empathy, respect, and integrity.
• Commit to each other: Contributing to making Circana a great place to work for everyone.

Location

This position can be located in the following area(s): Johannesburg

Prospective candidates may be asked to consent to background checks (in accordance with local legislation and our candidate privacy notice ) Your current employer will not be contacted without your permission.

An offer of employment may be conditional upon successful completion of a background check in accordance with local legislation and our candidate privacy notice. Your current employer will not be contacted without your permission.

You can apply for this role through the Circana careers website or Intranet site for internal candidates. This role is subject to AI-assisted screening. Circana uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess resumes for alignment with job requirements by helping locate details in resumes that relate to the job description.

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