National Sales Manager at Johnvents Foods Limited

About the job

• As the National Sales Manager, you are the primary executor of Johnvents FMCG’s commercial vision across Nigeria. You are responsible for the daily performance of the entire field sales organization, ensuring that our national sales strategies are translated into operational excellence at the territory, area, and regional levels. This role requires a hands-on leader who can balance high-level RTM strategy with the grit required to manage large-scale distribution networks, van operations, and field teams in a highly competitive market.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Execution & Operational Control

• Direct the implementation of national sales plans across all regions, ensuring consistent execution of the 4Ps (Presence, Placement, Pricing, and Promotion) in every territory.
• Oversee the management of regional and area sales managers, ensuring they meet daily, weekly, and monthly volume and revenue targets.
• Monitor distributor health, inventory levels, and trade debt to ensure operational continuity and minimize business losses.

Route-to-Market (RTM) Optimization

• Manage the design and deployment of efficient route-to-market structures, including the optimization of van fleets, sub-distribution models, and direct-to-retail initiatives.
• Identify and penetrate "white spaces" in the Nigerian market, ensuring Johnvents products are available in every relevant consumer cluster.
• Conduct frequent field visits to audit execution, gather market intelligence, and support the field team in resolving complex channel conflicts.

Field Force Management & Coaching

• Recruit, train, and develop a high-impact sales force, focusing on building a pipeline of field-ready leaders who understand the nuances of the informal retail trade.
• Implement structured performance management frameworks and incentive schemes that drive sales force accountability, attendance, and productivity.
• Establish a culture of integrity and operational discipline, ensuring the sales team acts as brand ambassadors for the Johnvents name.

Data-Led Performance Management

• Drive the adoption of SFA (Sales Force Automation) and CRM tools across the national team to ensure 100% visibility of secondary sales and stock levels.
• Conduct regular business reviews with regional heads, utilizing data to pivot tactics, reallocate assets, and reward top-performing territories.

Requirements

• Experience: 10+ years of progressive FMCG sales experience, with at least 5 years in a regional or national sales leadership role.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field; MBA or professional sales certifications are highly advantageous.
• Market Knowledge: Expert-level understanding of the Nigerian informal trade, street vending, and last-mile distribution networks.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead large, geographically dispersed teams and manage diverse groups of stakeholders, including key distributors and field agents.
• Operational Discipline: Proven track record of managing P&L, trade budgets, and complex logistics in a high-volume FMCG environment.