**Academic and Professional qualifications ****

• A Diploma /Degree in Sales and Marketing or a related field from a recognized institution of higher learning

Professional work experience****

• At least 2 years’ sales experience position within the FMCG/Office Products environment.

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required

Essential Skills & Competencies**

• Developed professional selling relationships with Wholesalers/Franchisers and Retailers

• Good organization, communication and leadership skills

• Negotiation and Conflict resolution skills

• Ability to identify new business opportunities and customers

• Presentation Skills

• Develop and use collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of company objectives and goals. Obtain and offer collaboration without relying on authority

• Time management – consistently able to effectively finish assignments; well organized

• Mentoring and coaching skills

• Team player and be able to lead from the front

• Sales to customers within a defined geographic Area in the East Africa

• Achievement of monthly sales volume and value targets across all three categories (Stationery, Lighters, Shavers and Shaving preps)

• Ensure effective implementation of negotiated Key Account promotions and marketing strategies

• To effectively manage third party Sales and Merchandising Agents, ensuring that sales targets' key Trade Promotions and In Store forward share objectives are achieved

• To ensure cost effective sales call coverage is implemented, providing the required level of service to increase sales to customers and area profitability

• To effectively manage the Sales Agents, ensuring that the agreed sales targets, promotional activity and marketing objectives are implemented at store level

• Effective implementation of all negotiated promotions during Mini-Major Back to School and Shaver/Lighter promotional periods

• Compiling and submission of required sales and market intelligence reports (Trade surveys, Sales contact Reports, In store audits, Daily/Weekly reports, Competitor activity Reports, Promotional Analysis Reports, New Products and Forward Share

• Maintain and build solid trade relations with key customers, identify new customers and sales opportunities within the defined Area

• Identify opportunities to increase numeric and weighted distribution of both existing and new products to Area customer base. Understanding of customer needs and product trends, tracking competitor activity and new product innovation

• Develops job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal/professional networks