Job Began Listed From: 10 Jan 2010
Job Close On: 10 Apr 2010
Confidential Position Specification
Sales Director/Manager
- China [Beijing] , China [Shanghai] -
Client
Our client is one of the world's largest producers of corn flour and tortilla products, with production facilities across the Americas, the UK, Holland, Italy, and Asia.  Its operations and sales extend to the US, Canada, throughout Central America and into England, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
 
With the backing from their corporate owners global technology and resources, our client has grown to become one of the largest producers of tortilla products, producing almost a quarter of all tortillas sold in the world and offers a full line of the highest quality tortillas to satisfy every taste - from the flour and corn tortillas to their popular 96% fat free, whole wheat, multi-grain and low carbohydrate varieties.
 
They are proud of their rich heritage and the contributions they've made to the Mexican Foods Industry. Their name is synonymous with quality, and the pursuit of excellence. They continually focus on delivering products that are consistently the very best using only the finest ingredients available, along with state-of-the-art equipment and processes to manufacture their products.
Job Description
The Sales Director/Manager will be based in Shanghai/Beijing and will report to the expatriate General Manager.  This position is suitable for an individual who is seeking:
  • A management challenge in a dynamic, international environment.
  • Opportunities to develop individually in a growing global corporation.
  • Increased scope for decision-making.
  • Cooperative leadership with a highly motivated team.
  • The possibility to bring forward new ideas from conception through to implementation.
Summary of Responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for not only developing and achieving annual Sales objectives in China, but for developing and implementing a Sales plan that includes product line growth plans, pricing strategy and the design and, in due course, the recruitment of the Sales organization. 
 
Summary of Key Responsibilities:
  • Set and develop goals, budget and strategic business plan, providing the company with profitable, annual Sales volume.
  • Create a common vision for the Sales Department.
  • Set direction and priorities of the company's commercial strategy.
  • To hire and develop a sales team at the appropriate time / location.
  • Prepare and present annual Sales plan to management with periodic updates as requested.  The plan must identify specific actions to be taken so those Sales goals will be achieved.  Prepares periodic Sales reports (must include all customer contact, competition activities, promotions, planning) and annual detailed territory analysis.
  • Be responsible for achieving Sales objectives and providing flexibility and swift reaction to opportunities and problems as they arise in the marketplace.
  • Develop new markets and new customers including customer profiling, initial contact, relationship building, and securing business.
  • Make Sales calls independently or with Sales Associates as appropriate.
  • Manage and further develop relationships with key hyper / supermarkets accounts, and build distributor and agency relationships if appropriate.
  • Responsible for all Sales activities through distributors or direct Sales.
  • Gather market and competitive intelligence by working with the Marketing team.  Utilize innovative solutions and constructive thinking to recognize market trends and directions to develop tactical action plans.
  • Continually strive to increase Sales and enhance market share.
  • Monthly reporting of bookings and bookings forecasts as well as customer activity.
  • Establish and control budgets for Sales promotion expenses and expenses of Sales personnel.
  • Demonstrated skill in building and motivating high performing teams.  Strong ability recruiting, training and team management.
  • Recommend successors for future Sales input positions and strategies to develop these people.
Work Experience and Abilities Required
  • Successful track record of Sales in China within FMCG industry, with evidence of increasing management or leadership responsibilities.  At least 10 years in Sales within an MNC environment.
  • Experienced entering hyper and supermarkets industry, building distributor and agency relationships, strong ability to devise business stratagem.
  • Strategic mind with extensive experience in managing remotely. 
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Strong and assertive.
  • Ability to develop close, effective working relationship with distributors and key accounts / clients.
  • Ability to travel within the given geographical region and to other locations for meetings.
Personal Characteristics and Skills
  • A “man (woman) of action“, whose personality is characterized by an above-average focus on results and targets, and a high individual sense of responsibility.
  • Able to work under pressure in a concentrated and efficient manner.
  • Very strong leadership skills and a demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, open and confident personality with the ability to develop a strong organization
  • High level of integrity.
  • Should be PC literate with excellent written, verbal, analytical and presentation skills, and the ability to communicate at all levels of the organization.
  • Proactive approach with strong planning and execution skills.
Education

Bachelor degree in Business or a related field.  MBA is highly desirable.
Language Ability
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required. Fluent in both spoken and written English and Mandarin is mandatory.
Compensation
The position compensation will be attractive and negotiable to the right candidate, comprising of a very competitive base salary supplemented by a performance oriented bonus opportunity and benefits where appropriate.