My client in the Manufacturing industry is currently seeking the expertise of a Regional Manager for their offices on the Eastrand.

Requirements:

• 3 years Business degree/diploma (preferably Bcom in Marketing)
• 3-5 years’ experience in managing a small business unit with a strong emphasis on sales.
• 3-5 years’ experience in managing and leading a team.
• 3 years’ experience in managing a customer base (Key accounts -10 million p.a. per account).
• Automotive industry experiences an advantage.
• 1-2 years Supply Chain Management experiences an advantage.

Duties Include:

Budget

• Draw up, present and ratify budgets with the Sales and Marketing Executive for Exco approval
• Manage profitability levels on a monthly basis against actual targets
• Managing fixed and variable expenses (profit & loss statement) on a monthly basis
• Ensure that operational costs are curbed by unnecessary expenses
• Address variances/corrections and provide suitable explanations to the Sales and Marketing Executive at the monthly Review meeting
• Oversee and control overall debtors as per standard trading terms and conditions

Pricing

• Review pricing on an annual basis to ensure continued profitability, and to maintain market share
• Developing the multiple brands in accordance with the Automotive Marketing Strategy (inclusive of Trade Marketing and Consumer Marketing)
• Implement initiatives in accordance with Automotive Marketing Strategy
• Managing market share
• Maintain and monitor market share on a monthly basis
• Grow market share to shareholder requirements
• Managing sales activity.
• Monitor daily sales activity management framework in an attempt to develop new sales and business and brick walling strategies for existing customers feedback on sales activity is done on a monthly basis at the SBO
• meeting at Business Unit Level
• Monthly sales meetings with Business Reps to ensure targets are being met.

Customer Service

External

• Implement and manage Automotive customer service strategy
• Goodyear, Bridgestone/Firestone, Napa/Midas, Super Group, Retail Agents, independent customers and any new potential business channels)
• Manage, maintain and build client relationships with key stakeholders
• Develop and roll out of Retail Agent and Channel Partner strategy
• Regular joint customer visits with Business Reps to ensure correct service levels, relationships are being met etc.
• Guide business reps at business meetings with customer query resolution
• Assist Business Rep with training of customers to ensure customers are kept up to date with technical product changes
• Communication/Relationship building

Internal

• Build and sustain good customer service levels and business relationships between key internal stakeholders e.g. Automotive/Industrial/DC Power/Mining in support of business objectives
• Build and sustain good customer service levels and business relationships with the Central functions (Finance, HR, Marketing, Commercial, SCM) in support of business objectives
• Build working relationships with the warehouses/factory in line with business objectives
• Attend weekly meetings with Warehouse Manager and Operations Manager in order to align customer service expectations with Warehouse and Supply Chain SLA
• Attend and review monthly Value Logistics meetings in order to manage and discuss distribution costs
• Review and approve CDC Warehouse annual budgets

Performance Management

• Manage, delegate control and coordinate activities in the following areas so that learning and development is optimized and at the same time business objectives are met
• Setting, measuring and evaluating performance objectives for all reporting staff
• Ensure that the annual performance reviews are conducted
• Give input into annual salary increases for staff
• Ensure that all staff have a Personal Development Plan which highlights training and developmental needs
• Poor performance management

Training and Development

• Ensure that appropriate training and development is identified for staff and is in line with Personal Development Plans
• Identifying own developmental training needs for personal growth and development

Industrial Relations

• Chairing of Disciplinary Enquiries and the issuing of appropriate sanction
• Conduct investigations into suspected misconduct in collaboration with the Human Resources Manager
• Ensure that all Policies and Procedures relating to the management of people are complied with in terms of Company requirements
• Ensure that all HR administrative issues, which have a line accountability, are processed accordingly
• Building a team culture
• Empowerment
• Morale of staff

Skills and attributes

• Excellent organizational skills
• Problem solving skills
• Excellent communication and listening Skills
• Business acumen
• High level of commercial understanding
• Advanced negotiation skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Customer focus
• Analytical