Area Sales Manager (Southern)

A leading organisation in the fast-moving consumer goods sector is seeking an Area Sales Manager for the Southern Region to drive sales, marketing, and profit objectives within the General Trade Channel. This role offers you the opportunity to shape business plans, work closely with distributor teams, and play a pivotal part in launching new products and expanding market reach.

What you'll do:

As an Area Sales Manager in the Southern Region, you will be entrusted with shaping the strategic direction of sales operations by crafting robust annual business plans that address both retail and foodservice needs. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve setting clear targets for your region while monitoring progress meticulously. You will collaborate closely with distributor branch managers to ensure seamless implementation of approved strategies. By partnering with marketing teams on new product development initiatives, you will help drive innovation in trade plan execution. Negotiating trading terms with key stakeholders forms a crucial part of your role as you strive to maintain strong relationships across local modern trade channels. You will also oversee promotional activities designed to boost brand presence while managing a dedicated team of merchandisers whose efforts underpin successful sales cycles. Evaluating outcomes from these initiatives allows you to make informed recommendations for improvement. Additionally, you will spearhead new product launches—ensuring they are executed flawlessly—and proactively seek out emerging business opportunities by analysing market trends. Success in this role hinges on your ability to connect with people at all levels while maintaining a keen eye for detail in every aspect of sales management.

• Develop annual business plans for the Southern Region covering retail and foodservice packs, including detailed sales activity plans for top customers such as local modern trade, sub-channels, sub-distributors, and wholesalers.
• Establish monthly and quarterly targets consistent with annual plans, continually measuring progress towards these targets to ensure objectives are met.
• Deploy, lead, and manage execution of approved business plans through effective distributor branch management, ensuring all activities align with company standards.
• Work collaboratively with internal marketing teams to understand marketing objectives and new product development directions, facilitating successful trade plan execution in the assigned region.
• Participate in negotiations of trading terms, advertising and promotion spend, service agreements, and conduct regular business reviews with regional top customers, key sub-distributors, and wholesalers.
• Plan and oversee proper execution of promotional activities to maximise visibility and sales impact across all relevant channels.
• Lead, develop, train, and manage distributor exclusive team members and merchandisers to ensure efficient cycle planning, work processes, and execution focused on sales fundamentals such as call rates, repeat purchase rates, distribution, pricing, shelving, merchandising, among others.
• Evaluate results from sales fundamentals and promotional plans; recommend changes when necessary based on performance data and market feedback.
• Plan and execute new product launches ensuring timely activation of displays and shelving at high standards throughout the region.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities by understanding market trends and macro-environmental factors impacting the FMCG landscape.

What you bring:

Your proven experience as an Area Sales Manager will demonstrate deep familiarity with FMCG sales environments where you have successfully managed general trade operations alongside distributor relationships. You bring a strong educational background in business studies or marketing which underpins your strategic approach to planning. Your interpersonal skills enable you to build trust-based connections with distributors while negotiating mutually beneficial terms. Analytical abilities allow you to interpret market data accurately—identifying patterns that inform future strategies—and presenting these insights persuasively ensures buy-in from stakeholders. Multilingual capabilities further strengthen your effectiveness across varied customer segments. Your willingness to travel means you can respond promptly to regional needs while computer literacy supports efficient reporting processes. These qualities combine to make you a dependable leader who thrives within supportive teams committed to achieving shared goals.

• Degree in Business Studies or Marketing or higher qualification is required for this position.
• At least five years of solid experience in FMCG sales and marketing is essential; experience from leading multinational companies or distributor environments handling MNC principles is highly valued.
• Proven track record in General Trade Business operations coupled with Distributor Management expertise is expected.
• Excellent communication skills in English are mandatory; proficiency in Mandarin or Cantonese would be considered an advantage.
• Ability to analyse market trends effectively as well as forecast future developments using complex data sets is important.
• Capability to present findings and insights clearly in organised formats is needed for success.
• Fluency in local languages alongside English enhances your ability to connect across diverse customer bases.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the Southern Region is required for optimal coverage.
• Computer literacy is necessary for managing reports, presentations, and communications efficiently.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace where collaboration is encouraged at every level. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements that accommodate personal commitments alongside professional responsibilities. Generous pension contributions provide long-term financial security while ongoing training programmes ensure continual skill development within a knowledgeable team environment. Supportive leadership practices create space for growth—both personally and professionally—making this company an ideal choice for those seeking stability combined with opportunities for advancement. The culture here prioritises teamwork over hierarchy; everyone’s input is valued as part of communal success. With a focus on nurturing talent through mentorships and knowledge sharing sessions rather than rigid structures or aggressive competition, this employer offers a warm environment where you can flourish as an Area Sales Manager.

What's next:

If you are ready to take your career forward by joining a supportive team dedicated to excellence in FMCG sales management within the Southern Region, we encourage you to apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C