We are a dynamic and energetic retail company based in Durban and Cape Town, which is on the hunt for a talented Retail Sales Manager who has relevant Retail Sales Management experience, with a focus on the increasing sales. You will be working directly with the Operations Team, Buyers and Directors. This person will assist the store managers in driving the stores forward through sales and marketing ideas and initiatives and will oversee strategic retail initiatives that will support the development of growth plans and profitability goals within the Company. The candidate will be based in our offices in Mobeni, Durban.

Duties & Responsibilities Role

(Note that this is not a full job description but only a list of the main functions)

• Tailoring shopper marketing campaigns according to insights from consumers.
• Delivering activation plans that span the entire shopper journey.
• Tracking and reporting results of various in store marketing campaigns.
• Special promotions implementation, display, activation – taking to the next level in store
• In store execution of competitions and promotions, eg. Rewards, supplier. competitions.
• Develop and execute company strategies that drive market share growth.
• Analysis of company strategy and performance and effect changes as needed.
• Accurately set annual wholesale budgets for the company and formulate plans to alleviate sales deficits.
• Effective adaption of company strategies to suit the SA market and to meet the company’s expectations.
• Monitoring retail prices in the market to ensure the company remains competitive
• Research and analyse consumer behaviour, market trends and competitor activity.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders to ensure full support of the company in the market.

Sales

• Develop and execute the wholesale strategy that will drive company sales and maximise profitability.
• Prospect and qualify new wholesale leads.
• Track all sales activities in the company system and keep current by updating account information regularly
• Communicate customer and prospect product pain points
• Achieve positive sales growths monthly and annually through the development and driving of "sell out" strategies
• Monitor competitor activity and plan the appropriate response.
• Responsible for achieving the agreed objectives and sales targets for the company.
• Build and promote strong commercial relationships with wholesale clients by understanding their needs and objectives.
• Assist in setting up and driving sales at events/launches/retailer activities.
• Provide feedback on sales/customer-related issues or concerns.
• Identify and implement new ideas to drive sales.
• Be knowledgeable about the brands.

Budget and Financial Management

• Establish budgets, performance specifications and sales estimates.
• Management and analysis of spending to ensure effective usage thereof and ensure a ROI and company profitability
• Ensuring achievement of budgets across all stores
• Ensuring market share growth across all stores
• Prepare monthly performance reports for the stores.
• Measuring and reporting on performance and assessing KPIs and ROI.

Stakeholder Engagement and Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders to ensure full support of the company in the market
• Work with all stakeholders to gain maximum exposure for the company
• Build strong relationships with operations (store managers, operations managers, and any other relevant person/department).

Inventory Management

• Inventory management to ensure stock levels in-house meet the organisational requirements, including accurate promotional forecasting.
• Manage stock levels at stores by actively engaging with the operations team regarding model stocks, replenishment levels and any other relevant information.
• Ensure stores are merchandised according to the required standard, with the necessary collateral and display elements (including promotions and launches).
• Manage tester and counter supply stock levels at stores to ensure that there are no out of stocks or abuse of these items.

Key Skills

• Highly organised and perform well under pressure.
• Budget management skills.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Willing and able to work on both strategy and operational subjects.
• Attention to detail.
• Proactivity, adaptability & flexibility.
• Multitasking
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Negotiation skills
• Business acumen
• Delivering Results & Meeting Customer Expectations
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking

Qualifications & Requirements

• Business degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum 5 years of Retail Sales management experience
• Previous experience in managing and leading teams.
• Driver's Licence and own vehicle
• Must be willing to travel if required.