Brand / Sales Manager - Pujadas

A vacancy currently exists for the position of Brand Manager – Pujadas based at our Johannesburg Branch.

This position is responsible to champion and drive the success of the Pujadas brand and solutions and to develop strategies with the goal of growing and maximizing the Pujadas brand’s profits and share in the market while ensuring customers are satisfied. The job represents a balanced customer relationship management effort involving sales and account management, product knowledge assistance, problem solving and solutions to the market.

Main duties include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for the promotion and sales of the Pujadas brand.
• Responsible to understand the market and customers.
• Responsible for achieving sales targets and the planned increase of market share via excellent customer service, appropriate sales and marketing activities and effective stock management.
• Maintain a current knowledge of market conditions and competition.
• Responsible to maintain and grow the dealer network for Pujadas.
• Responsible to maintain and grow the end user network for Pujadas.
• Set up and deliver sales presentations, product/service demonstrations and other sales solutions to customers and various decision-making audiences, and cooking demonstrations.
• Establish and maintain ongoing rapport with existing and potential dealers and end users.
• Appropriately communicate the brand identity and corporate position to target markets.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of competitor’s products, services and solutions for comparison.
• Develop new accounts, maintain current accounts and expand the Pujadas database of customers.
• Responsible for weekly/monthly/quarterly sales data and reports.
• Manage sales, margins, inventory levels, and purchasing to maximize develop rollout guides, training materials, and implementation plans for new products if and when needed.
• Identify opportunity across various market segments and develop action plans to improve performance in all market segments.
• Develop reports for evaluating the profitability of products.
• Track performance on all SKUs for Pujadas brand.
• Develop sales and demand forecasts and actual sales analysis for the different market segments on a month-by-month basis.
• Develop a monthly promotional calendar to enhance sales and profits. Present promotional calendar for approval.
• Conduct dealer visits to monitor product performance and make recommendations.
• Build and maintain end user relationships and develop action plans to improve demand and sales within the end user market.
• Manage supplier relationships to include purchasing, the negotiation of rebate programs, as well as, tracking, and billing for rebates.
• Develop forecasts to ensure proper inventories are maintained in the warehouse.

• Three - five years direct work experience in a similar capacity in the same or similar industries.
• Three - five years strategic leadership - ability to drive both short and long-term brand growth and profitability.
• Experience in building and nurturing brands (highly desirable)
• Driver’s license and own reliable vehicle
• Excellent understanding of market and customer
• Able to travel regularly
• Business acumen and good understanding of business processes and functions
• Strong work ethic

Skills and experience:

• Energetic and passionate about the Pujadas brand
• High level of energy and enthusiasm.
• Service delivery and outcomes driven.
• High accuracy levels and strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills for engaging at a senior level.
• Strong administration skills.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Able to work individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to contribute to setting and achieving of budgets
• Highly effective in building and maintaining customer and supplier relationships
• Superior Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving skills - resourceful at achieving objectives/ results despite obstacles. Able to sort through complex data to identify the core issues and develop a plan of action to resolve them.
• Strong communication and influence skills – clear, concise, and persuasive in style.
• Energized by an entrepreneurial environment – not afraid to do things themselves to get things done. Comfortable making decisions with limited information and resources.
• Self-reliant/proactive and has a pioneering spirit.
• Takes initiative and follows-through on commitments to achieve results.
• Strong research skills
• Analytical skills - ability to convert analysis into insights, sustainable strategies, and actionable plans.
• Ability to think creatively and innovatively
• Professional judgment and discretion that comes from years of experience in the field
• Excellent self-motivation