Area Sales Manager MEA

Job title: Area Sales Manager MEA

Location: Dubai, UAE

About the role

The Area Sales Manager is responsible for managing and developing the Fragrance distribution activities in the following markets: Middle East & Levant: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Irak, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and African countries: South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Mauritius, Kenya, Ivory Coast…

The Area Sales Manager position brings together all the aspect of an entrepreneurial challenge dealing with the Middle East and Africa markets performance. Bringing new ideas and driving initiatives to support the regional fragrance business development are key dimensions of this role.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy:

• Elaborate and implement the commercial strategy of the territory to reach sales targets through different actions & responsibilities.

Area Sales Management:

• Build business plan, including retail/wholesale and purchase projections, assortment, capex projects, trade plan and A&P.
• Follow-up of the KPI's with Brand Manager on regular basis (market shares, sell-in/sell-out, competition activities, market trends, traffic).
• Monitor performance and apply measures to maintain constant growth.
• Negotiate conditions with distributors (trade terms, price structure) and retailers (exposure and locations on floor plans).
• Set up trustworthy and efficient partnerships with our Brand Managers.

Marketing:

• Build along with marketing and brand Managers, detailed and impactful trade marketing plans.
• Implement marketing actions (launches, animations, incentives) on POS within deadlines in collaboration with the Marketing Team.

Merchandising:

• Improve brand's visibility and presence through a detailed retail Network Plan.
• Negotiate conditions with retailers (exposure and locations on floor plans).
• Ensure the brands guidelines are applied.

Training/Motivation:

• Ensure ongoing training of sales teams. Lead and motivate BAs.

Forecast:

• Sales and Stock analysis and optimization with precise forecasts of retail needs.

Reporting:

• Set up monthly sales reports – retail and wholesale - per client/location/categories/refs.

Role - Specific Skills:

• Excellent organization, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Proven capacity to structure and roll out multiple business projects in parallel with always a strong attention to detail.
• Language Spoken: English and French.
• Ready to work in a polyvalent, fast-growing, and entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to travel across the region frequently (30%).

Desired Background and Experience:

• Master’s degree from a reputable business school.
• Min 3 years prior experience as Area Sales Manager.
• Understanding of perfumes and cosmetics is a plus.
• Experience in Retail is a must.
• Experience in the region is a plus.
• Experience in distribution is a plus.