Food Services Accounts Manager (HORECA)

SUMMARY:
Food Services Account Manager

POSITION INFO:
We invite all qualified applicants to apply for the role of Food Services Accounts Manager.

The purpose of this position will be to:

1. Handle all Food Service Accounts including, but not limited to, industries such as hotel, restaurant and catering.
2. Manage all sales-related activities that gravitate around food, beverage and hospitality.

Qualifications:

• Grade 12
• Degree/Diploma in Hospitality Management, Food Technology, or equivalent professional qualification.

• Minimum of 5 years Sales & Marketing experience handling Food Service accounts specific to HORECA customers in the region.

• Hospitality background
• FMCG Retail experience
• Key Account management
• Forecasting
• CRM Software
• Experience in Microsoft Office applications

• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to deal with all levels from Unit Head Chefs, Contract Catering Managers to Buyer level
• Strong customer orientation, financial knowledge, and negotiation skills
• Strong communication capabilities, organizational skills and a focus on consumer needs.

• Responsible for acquiring new food service accounts.
• Identify market potential to establish new accounts, achieve food service sales volume, revenue, and profitability goals.
• Coordinate and review the pipeline of potential HORECA customers on a regular basis for efficient Sales Force Management.
• Develop and deliver annual sales plans for each assigned key account in accordance with division sales objectives.
• Develop annual sales budgets in line with the Company’s budgeting process and expectations.
• Propose and follow up on Sales Force specific regional actions such as promotions, events, trade fairs etc. in order to reach sales targets.
• If sales targets are not met, ensure that alternative plans are formulated to make up any short falls.
• Perform regular and accurate reporting of Sales Force productivity (monthly, weekly, daily) and potential action to be taken.
• Ensure all work is within budget at all times.
• Ensure that all communication with customers (contract reports, promotional plans, promotional evaluation etc.) is implemented, up to date and communicated.
• Ensure that service levels to this channel are within Company expectations and that any shortfalls are addressed with the Sales Director (e.g. out of stock, errors in order taking, incorrect invoicing).
• Ensure effective utilization and execution of marketing programs to ensure selling success of new or existing products occur (in collaboration with the Marketing Department).
• Activate local and national marketplace initiatives and promotions to build brand development and maximize brand performance (in collaboration with the Marketing Department).
• Evaluate customer research, market conditions, and competitor data and make any consequential amendments to marketing strategies (in collaboration with the Marketing Department).
• Maintain, monitor, and regularly evaluate pricing and contracts with customers to provide products and services that meet standards of quality, timeliness, and cost.
• To participate and assist other sales channels when required and called upon.
• Ad-hoc tasks and responsibilities as and when required by Management.