Sales & Marketing Manager at Sebafoods (Z) Limited

Seba Foods Zambia Limited is a Zambian registered company incorporated in 1997 and a renowned producer of maize and soya based consumer food products. Over the years, the company`s products have become house hold names in Zambia, priding themselves in very high-quality products through well-known brands such as Golden Goodness and Instant Thobwa.

Seba Foods Zambia is committed to producing high quality food products only from the finest quality soya beans and maize, sourced from local farmers in Zambia. The company`s ethos of providing the best possible quality from seed to the shelf has over the years been a proven mark for the brands and has been enjoyed by many in Zambia and beyond.

In addition to our food processing, our aim is to increase efficiencies in the soya value chain, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. We anticipate to build smallholder farmer capacity for thousands of targeted smallholder farmers in soybean production, aggregation and marketing, of which 50% are women, by working on the grass-root levels to improve yields for these farmers

Job purpose
Reporting to a Director, the Sales & Marketing Manager will be responsible turnover growth and accomplish business development activities by researching and developing marketing opportunities and plans; implementing sales plans; managing staff members as well as distributors and key accounts. This will be supported by strong marketing plans, both above and below the line

Key responsibilities

1. Develops and implements strategic marketing & sales plans and forecasts to achieve corporate objectives for products and services

2. Develops and manages sales/marketing operating budgets

3. Plans and oversees advertising and promotion activities including print, online, social media, trade demonstrations amongst others

4. Develops and recommends product positioning, packaging, and pricing strategy to produce the highest possible long-term market share

5. Achieves satisfactory profit/loss ratio and market share in relation to preset standards and industry and economic trends.

6. Ensures effective control of marketing results, and takes corrective action to guarantee that achievement of marketing objectives falls within designated budgets

7. Oversees and evaluates market research and adjusts marketing strategy to meet changing market and competitive conditions

8. Monitors competitor products, sales and marketing activities

9. Establishes and maintains relationships with industry influencers and key strategic partners

10. Guides preparation of marketing activity reports and presents to executive management

11. Establishes and maintains a consistent corporate image throughout all product lines, promotional materials, and events

12. Directs sales forecasting activities and sets performance goals accordingly

13. Directs staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales and marketing programs

14. Directs market channel development activity and coordinates sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals

15. Represents company at trade association meetings to promote product

16. Meets with key clients, assisting sales representative with maintaining relationships and negotiating and closing deals

17. Coordinates liaison between sales department and other sales related units

18. Analyzes and controls expenditures of division to conform to budgetary requirements

19. Assists other departments within organization to prepare manuals and technical publications

20. Prepares periodic sales report showing sales volume, potential sales, and areas of proposed client base expansion

21. Reviews and analyzes sales performances against programs, quotes and plans to determine effectiveness.

22. Directs product research and development.

23. Develop strategies for growing into untapped market segments i.e institutions, commercial operators

24. Monitor customer accounts, and closely monitor receivables against agreed payment terms

Key Qualifications & Requirements

1. Minimum 7 years’ sales/marketing experience in Consumer Food Brands (FMCG, a must)

2. A diploma/degree in communication, business or marketing

3. Basic knowledge of financial planning and budgeting

4. Marketing Concepts (Above and below the line)

5. Brand Positioning

6. People Management

7. Territory Management

8. Sales Planning

9. Competitive Analysis

10. Strong Client Relationships management

11. Creative and Analytical Services (Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint + Reporting skills)

12. Photoshop and Illustrator, not required but a plus

13. Languages, not required but a plus (Nyanja, Bemba, Lunda, Lozi)

14. Strong Communication & Diplomacy Skills

15. Innovator and a candidate who can think outside the box

Solving Problems and Getting Results

1. Accept responsibility for resolving a problem to its final conclusion

2. Assist in the achievement and the on-going improvement of business results

3. Show dissatisfaction with poor performance and drive processes to achieve business goals

4. Strive to achieve agreed deadlines and standards, especially when the going gets tough or the anticipated situation changes

5. Apply a systematic problem-solving approach to identify causes, explore alternatives and recommend the best course of action to resolve the problem now and into the future

Functional expertise

1. Remain up to date in your area of specialty or expertise

2. Apply a body of knowledge and experience to current business situations in order to add value and improve business efficiencies and profitability

3. Apply technical or specialist expertise and experience for the benefit of the organization and consider the context in which these are applied

4. Ensure that your functional expertise supports that of other experts, rather than being in competition with them (e.g. colleagues)

5. Persuade or negotiate with others by relying on technical or specialist knowledge and experience;

6. Present documented material or proposals in a credible and professional manner

7. Share the technical implications of a situation with non-specialists, or explain it to them

Interpersonal skills

The Ideal Candidate Must Be Able To:

1. Speak English clearly and confidently i.e. must be articulate;

2. Listen actively to fully understand the other person’s view or perspective;

3. Tailor feedback to the specific needs and communication styles of others;

4. Prepare effective presentations and where required, concisely present/communicate a complete and accurate picture of the current situation or of the company’s products and services;

5. Develop and maintain two-way communication with a variety of people at different levels both within and outside the organization;

6. Suggest proposals to address vital concerns and important business issues; and

7. Build a network of relevant role-players both within and outside the organization.

Team leadership

1. Influence others to achieve the organization’s human resources mission and goals;

2. Organize the work and allocate roles and responsibilities to self and staff members;

3. Provide ongoing direction to individuals/teams in terms of roles, goal setting and performance standards;

4. Coach and assign/delegate tasks to develop the capabilities of others and find satisfaction in knowing the impact made on an individual’s work and career;

5. Lead from a position of influence, not merely authority;

6. Create and reinforce a culture of teamwork and cooperation amongst all stakeholders;

7. Create a climate of sustainable motivation at work that empowers people to want to do their best;

8. Provide the information and other resources needed for staff to perform their tasks well;

9. Communicate results achieved on a regular basis, and realign focus and standards when needed;

10. Complete face-to-face staff evaluations and written appraisals where appropriate;

11. Resolve conflict between and among employees constructively and fairly;

12. Manage poor performance decisively and in good time;

13. Implement disciplinary procedures where necessary ensuring alignment with organizational policies & governing labor legislation.

Strategic Orientation

1. Use complex strategic thinking skills and incorporate conceptual, analytical and intuitive abilities;

2. Disseminate and communicate the vision for the future;

3. Develop clear, step-by-step Human Resource strategies aligned to the Vertical’s overall Strategic intent and timelines; and understand the organization’s inherent strengths & weaknesses in relation to human capital;

4. Understand and keep abreast of competitors’ strengths and weaknesses;

5. Formulate policies and procedures to support the business;

6. Plan and implement fact based changes and innovations within the business;

7. Identify and verify critical information and intelligence for formulating goals;

8. Set long-term objectives for the business;

9. Build an appropriate image for the company and broader organization.

Entrepreneurship and profitable growth
1. Proactively seek opportunities to grow the current business and identify new business opportunities;

2. Identify opportunities in clients’ businesses to promote relevant solutions in your own business;

3. Determine, as soon as possible, the costs and benefits of a business proposition;

4. Understand the key performance indicators/influencers driving the market (externally & internally);

5.Understand financial terms and conditions in the business process, including cash flow, discounts, credit terms, implementation costs, project funding, foreign exchange, taxation, et al:

6. Formulate a budget and understand and work closely to deliver that budget.

7. Formulate a budget and understand and work closely to deliver that budget.

Solving Problems and Getting Results

1. Accept responsibility for resolving a problem to its final conclusion;

2. Drive achievement and the on-going improvement of business results;

3. Show dissatisfaction with poor performance and drive processes to achieve business goals;

4. Strive to achieve agreed deadlines and standards, especially when the going gets tough or the anticipated situation changes;

5. Review and evaluate proposals in line with broader business strategies;

6. Know when to move on to the next opportunity and not invest too much time on “spent” business opportunities;

7. Apply a systematic problem-solving approach to identify causes, explore alternatives and decide on the best course of action to resolve the problem now and into the future

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