National Account Manager

RCL FOODS is a leading African food producer in South Africa with a market capitalisation of R13 billion and employing more than 20 000 people in operations across South and Southern Africa. We manufacture a wide range of branded and private label food products which we distribute through our own route-to-market supply chain specialist, Vector Logistics. In line with our Passion to provide more food to more people, more often, we have acquired a number of businesses with deep South African roots and strong brands, which have enabled us to diversify our offering and enhance our reach. Included in our portfolio are well-known South African brands such as Selati sugar, Supreme flour, Rainbow and Farmer Brown chicken, Pieman's pies, Mageu Number 1 beverages, Sunbake bread, Nola mayonnaise, Yum Yum peanut butter, Ouma rusks, Bobtail and Catmor pet food products, and Epol and Molatek animal feed. In line with our strategy, we have recently transformed from four separate businesses (TSB Sugar, Rainbow Chicken, Foodcorp and Vector) into 'ONE RCL FOODS', an integrated company made up of three divisions supported by common Group functions. Job Description At RCL FOODS we see and do things differently, we think bigger, work smarter and as a team collectively work towards achieving our ambition, to Grow What Matters! The purpose of the role is to develop and maintain the business with a particular wholesale customer or group of customers according to the company and channel strategy.To represent the customers' best interests within the environment so that customers' needs are always satisfied.To develop and manage relationships with large national accounts and to set the accounts' overall strategic direction.To develop and guide the implementation of assigned accounts specific business plans; achieve account profitability and sales targets; serve as the primary account contact; and provide account leadership. Minimum Requirements Minimum Requirements Degree in management, business administration and/or marketing Valid Code EB drivers' licence 5 to 8 years' experience in a marketing and sales function that includes managing complex and/or significant customer relationships and key accounts Duties & Responsibilities Key Responsibilties Account Management Develop account strategies in accordance with the overall channel strategy. Conduct regular reviews of business performance and promotion strategies. Manage and develop strong day to day relationships with the national account representatives. Collaborate internally with cross-functional groups to develop and execute sales initiatives. Develop and maintain product knowledge of the wholesale sector and Rainbow products in particular. Develop and present fact-based sales proposals to customers. Seek out and pursue line extensions, new channels and new business Forecast demand and feed that into the S&OP process. Liaise with Marketing and monitor market trends, competitive activities and new products. Report meeting results and follow up with all cross-functional groups to capitalise on sales opportunities. Facilitate NPD processes to meet customer requirements. Monitor quality of products and review complaints, returns and resolve all issues. Recruit, negotiate with and sign-on new national accounts. Be an internal account champion, assuring clear and regular communication to key company managers. Pursue opportunities unique to each assigned account in terms of marketing, merchandising and operations. Pricing and Negotiation Develop proposals, negotiate terms and conditions and implement contractual agreements with assigned national accounts (with accountability for delivering strong financial results). Continuously review and monitor pricing to ensure Rainbow remains competitive with the highest profitability possible. Ensure the relevant Rainbow customer offerings/basket is ranged for the respective national accounts. Ensure the pricing across the basket is in line with relevant mandates as published. Offer alternative solutions to customers in the event of the products performing poorly (i.e. cross-merchandising strategically and facilitating further promotions to market stock). Negotiate trade margins advising customers regarding the best price in comparison with competitors, ultimately ensuring the product is successful. Promotion and Communication Develop, present and execute 12-month promotion calendars. Develop optimal promotional plans and manage promotional investments. Ensure that the promotional grid is updated and accurate at all times. Determine the feasibility of promotions and quantify success. Advise Marketing on in-store demonstration work and indicate the success rate of promotions. Critically evaluate the feasibility of point of sale proposals. Customer Relationship Management Account Financial Management Drive the achievement of the national account sales budgets in terms of volume. Forecast, budget and track account revenues and cost. Achieve monthly, quarterly, and yearly sales margins and goals. Monitor and optimise trade spend investment and complete ROI analysis. Reporting Provide monthly feedback to the Channel Manager indicating the tracking on volume versus budget. Identify improvements and innovations and include them in the reporting and feedback process. KPI's Customer satisfaction rating Achievement of SIA targets Number of lost customers