Modern Trade Manager at Sonia Foods Industries

Job Description

• The Modern Trade Manager is responsible for driving sales growth, building strong customer relationships, and ensuring flawless execution of sales and merchandising strategies within assigned modern trade channels.
• The role requires consistent engagement with key accounts, effective negotiation, and delivering profitable volume growth while upholding brand visibility and company standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sales strategies for assigned regions (Abuja, Ibadan, Kano, Rivers, Onitsha, and Benin) to achieve volume, revenue, and distribution targets.
• Manage relationships with key modern trade partners (supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, and chain stores).
• Negotiate listings, activations, and in-store visibility agreements with modern trade customers.
• Monitor stock levels and product availability, and ensure efficient order generation and fulfillment.
• Lead and supervise merchandisers/promoters to guarantee execution of planograms, displays, and trade marketing activities.
• Track competitor activities and market trends, and recommend proactive initiatives to maintain a competitive edge.
• Prepare periodic sales reports, analyze performance, and provide actionable insights to management.
• Ensure compliance with trade terms, credit policies, and payment collection timelines.
• Drive business development by identifying new opportunities within the modern trade channel.
• Work closely with marketing, supply chain, and finance to ensure alignment in achieving business objectives.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Achievement of monthly/quarterly/annual sales targets.
• Growth in market share across assigned territories.
• New product listings and penetration.
• In-store execution (availability, visibility, planogram compliance).
• Customer relationship management and satisfaction.
• Efficient credit management and receivables collection.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in FMCG sales, with at least 3 years in modern trade management.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Proven track record of achieving and exceeding sales targets.
• Excellent knowledge of modern trade operations and key accounts in Nigeria.
• Proficiency in MS Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Willingness to travel frequently across assigned locations.

Core Competencies:

• Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Leadership and people management.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• High level of integrity and accountability.