Head of Region - NGF

The Head of
Region – KZN is accountable for the overall commercial and operational
performance of the KwaZulu-Natal region, ensuring sustainable profitable growth
while delivering exceptional customer service.

The role
has end-to-end accountability for regional sales, distribution, warehousing,
inventory management, retail operations, customer profitability, cash
collections and supplier relationships. The incumbent is expected to lead a
high-performing regional team that consistently delivers revenue growth while
maintaining strong operational discipline, working capital management and
customer service standards.

As the
regional leader, this individual must balance strategic commercial thinking
with hands-on operational execution, ensuring that every aspect of the business
contributes towards improving overall regional profitability.

Key
Accountabilities

1.
Regional Leadership

• Lead the overall performance of
  the KwaZulu-Natal region.
  
• Build a high-performance,
  accountable culture.
  
• Translate national strategy
  into regional execution plans.
  
• Drive continuous improvement
  across all regional functions.
  
• Ensure alignment with company
  values, governance and compliance requirements.
  

2.
Commercial Performance

Own the
commercial performance of the region through profitable revenue growth.

Responsibilities
include:

• Deliver regional revenue and
  gross profit targets.
  
• Grow market share across both
  On-Trade and Retail channels.
  
• Identify and secure new
  business opportunities.
  
• Expand distribution into
  targeted customer segments.
  
• Build strategic relationships
  with key customers.
  
• Negotiate customer trading terms
  that maximise profitability.
  
• Manage customer retention
  initiatives.
  
• Ensure pricing strategies are
  consistently executed.
  

3. Sales
Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the
  regional sales team.
  
• Monitor sales productivity and
  pipeline.
  
• Conduct customer visits
  alongside sales representatives.
  
• Review customer call cycles and
  route optimisation.
  
• Ensure CRM compliance and
  quality customer information.
  
• Drive execution of promotional
  campaigns.
  
• Improve customer penetration
  and wallet share.
  

4.
Distribution Centre Operations

Take full
ownership of the regional distribution centre.

Responsibilities
include:

• Warehouse performance.
  
• Picking accuracy.
  
• Stock integrity.
  
• Dispatch efficiency.
  
• Vehicle utilisation.
  
• Delivery performance.
  
• Route optimisation.
  
• Labour productivity.
  
• Warehouse safety and
  compliance.
  

5.
Retail Operations

Provide
oversight of the regional retail store.

Responsibilities
include:

• Revenue growth.
  
• Margin management.
  
• Customer experience.
  
• Stock availability.
  
• Promotional execution.
  
• Store standards.
  
• Shrinkage control.
  
• Staff productivity.
  

6.
Inventory & Supply Chain Management

Work
closely with Central Procurement to ensure:

• Product availability.
  
• Improved supplier service
  levels.
  
• Efficient replenishment.
  
• Working capital optimisation –
  limiting excess stock and slow moving inventory.
  

7.
Supplier Relationship Management

Develop
strategic supplier partnerships within the region and manage day-to-day
interaction with suppliers.

8.
Credit & Working Capital Management

Own
regional debtor performance.

Responsibilities
include:

• Work closely with Credit
  Control.
  
• Review overdue accounts weekly.
  
• Participate in collection
  strategies.
  
• Approve customer trading terms.
  
• Assess customer risk.
  
• Support credit applications.
  
• Minimise bad debts.
  
• Maintain healthy debtor days.
  

The Head of
Region is expected to understand customer financial health and ensure that
commercial decisions remain financially sustainable.

9.
Financial Performance

Manage the
region as a business unit driving Business Financial Performance.

Review
regional financial performance monthly and implement corrective actions where
required.

Requirements

Minimum
Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Commerce,
  Business, Supply Chain, Logistics or related field.
  

Experience

• >5 years' senior management
  experience within FMCG, beverage distribution, wholesale or retail.
  
• Proven experience managing a
  distribution centre.
  
• Strong commercial sales
  leadership experience.
  
• Experience leading
  multi-functional teams.
  
• Experience managing large
  customer accounts.
  
• Experience negotiating
  commercial agreements.
  
• Strong financial and business
  management capability.
  
• Experience managing operational
  budgets and P&L accountability.
  
• Experience within liquor
  distribution or FMCG distribution would be highly advantageous.