Merchandiser Assistant

We are JTI, Japan Tobacco International, and we are present in 130 countries. We have spent years innovating, creating new and better products for the consumers to choose from . This is our business. But not only. Our business is our people. Their talent. Their potential. We believe that when they are free to be themselves , and they are given the opportunity to grow, travel and develop, amazing things can happen .

That’s why our employees, from around the world, choose to be a part of JTI. It is why 80% of employees feel happy working at JTI. And why we’ve been awarded Global Top Employer status, ten years running . 

So when you’re ready to choose a career you’ll love, in a company you’ll love, feel free to #JoinTheIdea. 

Learn more: jti.com

Department: Sales

Duty Post: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Reporting to: Area Sales Manager

Role: Temporary 

Merchandising Assistant

What is this role about?

The Merchandiser Assistant will have to ensure availability of JTI brands in the relevant outlets in their assigned areas. The incumbent will work closely with the Merchandiser to achieve assigned role objectives.

To achieve this, the Merchandiser Assistant will have to assist the Merchandiser on calls as per route schedule, conduct selling, sales negotiations, execute activations, campaigns & other trade activities as assigned to them. The incumbent will ensure that merchandising equipment and tools are clean & functional and maintain JTI's agreed space allocation on shelf. The incumbent is to provide high quality sales service, while building and maintaining strong business relationships with retailers along with the identification of opportunities in the trade. The Merchandiser Assistant is expected to stand in for the Merchandiser role when necessary to conduct the responsibilities with full compliance to achieve monthly sales, trade KPI & other fundamental targets as communicated and assigned by the Area Sales Manager.

What will you do?

1) Execution

• Support the Merchandiser to ensure efficient visitation/route coverage of outlets within designated trade area. The incumbent should familiarize themselves with routes of assigned trade areas with periodic route rotation. Identify & recommend new potential retailers/outlets in market to the Merchandiser to increase potential Point of Sales leads. Support all actions and plans to be in compliance with JTI standards. To provide high quality sales service to all retailer/buyers.

2) Business information / insights

• Support the Merchandiser to manage & place JTI sales information (POSM) provided by JTI Head Office at Point Of Sales & ensure JTI's merchandising materials are well maintained, clean & functional. Support the Merchandiser to execute promotion, activation, campaign & other trade activities as assigned.

3) Selling process & sales reconciliation

• Compliance with JTI "Steps of the call" process. The incumbent is expected to have full knowledge of all JTI SKUs & must be able to propose appropriate JTI SKUs to retailers with suitable sell-in quantity to maintain appropriate outlet stock buffer prior to the next service day/call. Ensure correct placement of JTI products to create strong visibility after sell in. To consolidate total daily sales, balance & manage stocks & sales (cash, cheques, online transfer & etc.) as per requirement by sales office.

4) Stock management

• Support the Merchandiser to ensure sufficient daily stocks to meet trade demands with all SKUs available for selling process on daily basis. Maintenance of stock freshness with periodic stock rotation & complying to First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory rotation methodology for on shelf & van sales unit stocks. The incumbent is expected to be efficient in trade return/expired (MR) stock management. Inventory of stocks in assigned van unit should be well maintained on a daily basis without any variance.

5) Other

• To stand in for the Merchandiser (as required) to assist & execute various tasks and projects including activation, programs, surveys etc. as assigned and upon the Area Sales Manager's request.

Who are we looking for?

• Minimum SPM/MCE.
• At least 1 year of related experience in FMCG with exposure of covering various channels.
• Good command in English and Bahasa Malaysia. Knowledge of Chinese and local dialects are an added advantage. 
• Communication skills
• Basic selling skills ("Steps of the calls" approach)
• Basic stock management knowledge
• Basic merchandising knowledge
• Must be familiar & capable in using business tools provided. E.g. DSD/Retail Eye etc. 
• Able to work in a challenging & fast paced working environment
• Possess own transportation & willing to travel
• Goods Driving License (GDL) will be required for work purposes

What are the next steps - Recruitment Process:

• We will make sure to provide feedback on your application within 2 weeks after the application deadline.