About the Role
Virtucruit is partnering with an established Saudi food manufacturer, recognized for its own brand in the market, to recruit a National Sales Manager. This company produces and markets a range of branded food products, including meat and frozen food lines, distributed across general trade, modern trade, and food service channels throughout the Kingdom and the wider GCC. The business operates through sponsored companies, agency representatives, distributors, and a direct sales team. This pivotal role is designed for a national sales leader accountable for field sales delivery across Saudi Arabia, leading regional and channel teams, managing distributor partnerships, and driving national sales targets. The National Sales Manager will report directly to the Sales & Marketing Director and is responsible for the overall management and performance of the company's sales operations. The primary objective is the consistent, profitable achievement of national sales targets, ensuring the implementation of commercially viable sales plans and marketing strategies that maximize returns and deliver customer service excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise, direct, and control sales activities across general trade, modern trade, and food service channels in Saudi Arabia and other GCC markets, ensuring the attainment of planned sales targets through sponsored companies, agency representatives, distributors, and the direct sales team.
- Translate the commercial strategy set by the Sales & Marketing Director into actionable national, regional, and channel sales plans, targets, and route-to-market coverage strategies.
- Approve sales plans across all product lines and diligently monitor their implementation and overall national sales performance.
- Drive numeric and weighted distribution, product availability, and visibility across all regions and channels.
- Continuously track sales results against targets, analyze variances, and implement timely corrective actions to maintain performance.
- Develop sales work policies, procedures, plans, business budgets, and performance standards in cooperation with distributors, agency representatives, and the Marketing function, for final approval by the Director.
- Set and communicate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for regional and channel teams, ensuring alignment with the national sales plan.
- Review and assess the outcomes of market research and promotional campaigns to inform the development of effective sales plans and targets both within and outside the Kingdom.
- Build and manage strong relationships with sponsored companies, agency representatives, and distributors to ensure comprehensive market coverage, product availability, and penetration.
- Negotiate trading terms, sales targets, and joint business plans with distributors and key retail accounts.
- Maintain robust relationships with high-end and modern-trade retailers, category managers, and store managers.
- Conduct regular market visits to assess product performance and competitor activity at the point of sale.
- Liaise effectively on confirmed sales orders, shipping of sold products, stock availability, purchase orders, customer service, and billing processes.
- Coordinate with the Finance department on payment collections, billing of key customer accounts, credit control, and the opening of letters of credit to suppliers as required.
- Liaise with suppliers, manufacturers, and government agencies on relevant matters, escalating important issues in a timely manner.
- Coordinate with supply chain and warehouse operations to ensure timely and accurate order fulfillment and prevent out-of-stock situations.
- Present periodic sales progress reports to the Sales & Marketing Director, including detailed analysis and recommendations for improvement.
- Provide valuable insights on market trends, competitor activity, pricing strategies, and new business opportunities to support strategic decision-making.
- Recruit, train, appraise, and motivate a competent national sales team.
- Set priorities, assign territories and tasks, and uphold company standards and good conduct among the sales team.
- Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and customer focus within the sales department.
- Undertake work-related special assignments as required by the Director.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Marketing, or a related field; a postgraduate qualification is considered an advantage.
- A minimum of eight years of experience in FMCG sales, including several years in a national or multi-region sales management role.
- Experience in meat processing or frozen food sectors is strongly preferred.
- Proven track record of successfully managing distributors, agencies, and key accounts.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver national sales targets across both general and modern trade channels.
- A demonstrable track record in sales, business development, or account management with high-end and modern-trade retailers.
- Professional certifications such as CBDM, PCM, or CSCP are considered an advantage.
- Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English is essential.
- Willingness to travel across the Kingdom and the wider GCC as required.
Required Skills
- Sales Leadership
- Field Sales Management
- Distributor Management
- Key Account Management
- Sales Planning
- Sales Performance Analysis
- Team Leadership
- Negotiation
- Business Development
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Strong decision-making, multitasking, and team-building skills
- Self-motivated, disciplined, well-organized, and adaptable personality
- Ability to build rapport at all levels
Work Environment and Location
This is a full-time position based in Dammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. The role requires willingness to travel across the Kingdom and the wider GCC as needed.
