Sales Manager – Sub Saharan

Job Description
BillerudKorsnäs is looking to employ a Sales Manager who will play a significant role in driving the company’s sales and revenues in Eastern and Southern Africa mainly in the packaging paper business segment targeting BillerudKorsnäs customers in Food Processing and Industry. He/she will be responsible for managing existing client markets as well as for acquiring new customers and developing new market value chains.
The position will be based in Nairobi with frequent travel in Eastern and Southern Africa and the person will report to the Sales Director based in Sweden.
Key duties and responsibilities
Maximise revenue and margin generation by turning business offers into sales
Answer for and fulfil the sales plan for customers according to strategy and business plan
Responsible for the establishment of commercial agreements with customers according to the company’s policy
Responsible for identifying and developing the customer base within the identified sales area
Initiate, maintain and develop existing and new customer, agents and partner relations
Identify prospects and develop new business opportunities
Plan and execute activities to meet targets for volume, margin and customer satisfaction
Monitor and provide market intelligence on market trends and competitor activities
Providing prompt and regular communication of activities (visit reports, project status updates etc.)
Adhere and support company processes with appropriate document/form submissions (expenses, trial orders, complaints, etc.)
Participate in trade fairs and exhibitions as part of business development efforts
Other duties depending on workload, experience and conditions: Key account responsibility, mentorship to junior colleagues, driving marketing and sales development projects
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree; engineering, business discipline or other relevant equivalent
At least 7 years hands-on experience in technical sales
Solid and relevant experience in global and/or regional B2B sales
Experience in the sugar industry or flour milling industry is preferred
Proven leadership skills
Ability to learn and retain product specific information
Aged 35 years and above
Knowledge and Expertise
Excellent understanding of the value chain for dry food packaging and paper sacks for industry including those of producers and converters, including knowledge of customers’ needs and requirements
Good knowledge of the overall speciality paper industry in Sub-Saharan Africa and the competitor landscape of the targeted sectors
Good key account management skills: ability to respond to customers queries and concerns in a timely fashion and maintain good relationships
Good working knowledge of the business cultures in the various Eastern and Southern African countries
Good network of contacts in the company’s targeted market segments and ability to use these for back selling
Hardworking, driven, energetic and able to work independently
Demonstrated problem solving skills
Ability to manage timelines and resources within company budgets and policies
Computer literate with good working knowledge of all Microsoft Office Applications
Fluency in English and Kiswahili is essential
Other
Driving license
Ability to travel frequently and on short notice
What the position offers
Compensation: remuneration will be market based with additional bonuses based on company and individual performance
Training and mentoring opportunities in a value driven work environment