Job Began Listed From: 28 Feb 2010
Job Close On: 31 May 2010
Confidential Position Specification
Sales Director, Haimen
- China [Shanghai] -
Client
Our client is the US publicly traded, Fortune 500 Company and the world's largest processor of chicken, beef and pork.  They produce a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products for Retail, Wholesale and Food Services markets. 
 
In 2008, Global Sales exceeded US $30 billion with over 100,000 associates employed at more than 300 offices and facilities globally.  In China, their operations are fully integrated with a total company investment of over RMB 3 billion.
Job Description
The client is currently searching for a Sales Director for its Jiangsu subsidiary who will provide direction, drive, and execute the company's global programs and processes.  The position is suitable for an individual who is seeking:
  • Excitement and a management challenge in a dynamic, international, environment.
  • Opportunities to develop individually in a growing global corporation.
  • Cooperative leadership with a highly motivated international team.
  • An attractive remuneration package with additional benefits. 
Summary of Responsibilities
The Sales Director will be based in Shanghai and will report to the General Manager.   The subsidiary is a new start up operation that expects to launch retail, wholesale, and food service products in 2010.  The incumbent will be responsible for not only 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 recruitment of the Sales organization.
  • 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.
  • Continually strive to increase Sales and enhance market share.
  • To hire and develop a sales team.  Recruit, build, manage and motivate high performing team.
  • 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 Managers as appropriate.
  • Manage and further develop relationships with key hyper / supermarkets and Food Services accounts, and build distributor and agency relationships.
  • Develop strong working relationships with senior managers across multiple departments of customer organizations, (i.e. Purchasing, R&D, Culinary, Marketing, etc.)
  • 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.
  • Work with Product Management to effectively manage National Account product lines, including product specifications and labeling, as well as the supervision of divisional R&D projects.
  • Work with R&D to develop products that meet the specific needs of the customer, as well as the development of new products that coincide with the divisions long term strategic goals.
  • Function closely with Logistics and Operations regarding divisional activity directly related to production forecasting, scheduling, product quality, and customer visits to complex locations.
  • Interacting with Transportation (internal product movement and outside transportation) to assist with product flow and distribution.
  • Monthly reporting of bookings and bookings forecasts as well as customer activity.
  • Work closely with corporate Credit department to monitor customer financial stability and invoice payment performance. 
  • Establish and control budgets for Sales promotion expenses and expenses of Sales personnel.
  • 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 or Consumer Goods industry, with evidence of increasing management or leadership responsibilities.  At least 10 years in Sales and 6 years in a senior management role within an MNC environment.
  • Experienced entering hyper and supermarkets and Food Services industry, building distributor and agency relationships, strong ability to devise business stratagem.
  • Requires a thorough understanding of production processes and the ability to utilize this information in meeting customer expectations and requirements.
  • Strategic mind with extensive experience in managing remotely. 
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Strong minded and assertive.
  • Ability to develop close, effective working relationship with distributors and key accounts / clients.
  • Demonstrated skill in building and motivating high performing teams. Strong ability recruiting, training and team management.
  • 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, fluent in both spoken and written English and Mandarin.
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.