Area Manager

Our AVI Field Marketing Share Services team bridges the gap between our brands and the market by creating impactful in-store experiences and engaging directly with customers. We focus on executing marketing strategies at ground level, ensuring our products are both visible and accessible. Through promotional activities and close collaboration with retailers, we drive sales and strengthen our connection with consumers.

We are looking for a passionate Area Manager to join our AVI Field Marketing Shared Services Division in our Kwa-Zulu Natal region. In this role, you will be required to lead and manage a high-performing merchandising team and drive retail excellence by boosting sales, optimizing in-store execution, managing promotions and building strong customer relationships. The role will service retail customers in Durban Central and surrounding areas .

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Regional Operations Manager
• Direct reports: +/- 29

Key Areas Of Impact

• Monitor store ordering process, stock levels, and returns and take corrective action if required
• Monitor pricing and ensure mandate adherence
• Negotiate promotional activity
• POP implementation and negotiate ad-hoc display and space
• Check-in stock, expiry dates and ensure shelf health standards are maintained
• Address pricing and delivery issues
• Monitor forward share in relation to market share as well as the rate of sale
• Monitor slow and fast-selling SKU's
• Ensure displays and promotions are according to requirements
• Ensure effective shelf health standards maintained
• Merchandising done according to business unit layout standard
• Application of POP drivers as per business unit brief
• Follow the call cycles and communicate any changes to customers
• Ensure the field marketers and merchandisers follow their call cycles
• Confirm call cycles are followed and communicate changes to customers when needed
• Monitoring competitor activities
• Effective communication of activities
• Monitor implementation of promotional activity
• Provide feedback to Area Operations Manager and keep up to date on conduct issues
• Manage new launches and ensure all staff have been informed of the new launches
• Inform stores of new innovation
• Monitor listings and ranging of new launches and provide feedback
• Ensure POS execution
• Ensure sufficient stock is ordered for the activity

What It Takes To Succeed Experience that set you up for success:

• Must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in an FMCG sales environment handling the retail channel
• Must have supervisory skills

Qualifications & Certifications That Will Contribute To Your Success

• A completed Grade 12 / Matric certificate is essential
• A Diploma / Degree in Sales, Marketing, Business Management or Retail Management would be advantageous

Additional Requirements That Will Enhance Your Impact For Success

• Knowledge of the FMCG industry is essential
• Staff management experience is essential
• Knowledge of HR and disciplinary procedures is necessary
• A valid drivers' license is essential
• Computer literate - MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook