Internal Sales, Key Account & Export Manager

Job Description

• A leading fashion accessories company is looking for an experienced Internal Sales, Key Account & Export Manager with strong experience in key account management, internal sales operations, order management, national retail accounts and export business to join their team in Sandton.
• This hands-on commercial management role will be responsible for managing and growing key customer relationships, leading the Internal Sales function, overseeing end-to-end order processing and driving sales growth across national retail and cross-border markets. The successful candidate will act as a key commercial link between customers and internal departments, ensuring accurate execution, strong customer service and effective operational control.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Internal Sales team.
• Oversee the day-to-day management and performance of the Internal Sales function.
• Establish service standards, procedures, KPIs and turnaround times.
• Manage the complete customer order process from order receipt through to invoicing and delivery.
• Ensure accurate order processing, pricing, discounts, customer information and delivery requirements.
• Monitor stock availability, shortages, backorders and outstanding orders.
• Liaise with Buying, Warehouse, Logistics, Finance and other internal departments to ensure successful order fulfilment.
• Manage allocated national and strategic key accounts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with retail buyers, category managers and other key decision-makers.
• Develop account-specific sales and growth plans.
• Identify opportunities to increase sales, distribution, product penetration and listings.
• Prepare for and attend customer meetings, range reviews and business reviews.
• Manage product listings, delistings, new product launches and customer submissions.
• Coordinate and manage promotional opportunities, promotional calendars and customer initiatives.
• Monitor promotional performance and analyse sales against forecasts.
• Prepare accurate daily, weekly and monthly sales reports.
• Analyse sales performance by customer, product, category, promotion and market.
• Identify commercial trends, opportunities, risks and underperformance.
• Prepare and maintain customer forecasts and support demand planning activities.
• Communicate anticipated demand, stock requirements and potential risks to relevant internal teams.
• Manage cross-border and export customer relationships.
• Identify and develop new export and cross-border business opportunities.
• Prepare export quotations, commercial proposals and sales plans.
• Coordinate export orders and liaise with Logistics regarding shipment requirements.
• Manage and monitor the performance of agents, brokers and distributors.
• Identify new sales, listing and market expansion opportunities.
• Oversee new store opening, revamp and closure order requirements where applicable.
• Take ownership of escalated customer queries and ensure effective resolution.
• Manage customer pricing, commercial agreements, quotations and pricing discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate customer master data, records and commercial documentation.
• Monitor stock opportunities, excess inventory and customer demand requirements.
• Lead cross-functional coordination between Sales, Buying, Warehouse, Logistics, Finance, Marketing and other relevant departments.
• Provide leadership, coaching and development to the Internal Sales team.
• Ensure strong operational controls, reporting accuracy and adherence to company policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Matric / Grade 12 is essential.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in Sales, Marketing, Business Management, Commerce or Retail Management is preferred.
• A qualification or training in Key Account Management, Sales Management or Export / International Trade would be advantageous.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of relevant sales experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or management experience.
• Strong FMCG, retail supplier or related consumer goods experience.
• Proven experience managing major retail or national key accounts.
• Experience dealing directly with retail buyers and category managers.
• Proven experience managing an Internal Sales or Sales Administration team.
• Strong internal sales, order management and order fulfilment experience.
• Experience with product listings, range reviews, new product launches and promotional submissions.
• Strong sales reporting and analytical experience.
• Experience with forecasting and demand planning.
• Experience working closely with Buying, Warehouse, Logistics and Finance teams.
• Cross-border, export, distributor, broker or agent management experience would be advantageous.
• Experience within a national retail supplier environment would be highly advantageous.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, formulas and sales analysis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience using ERP and order processing systems.
• SYSPRO experience would be advantageous.
• Experience with sales reporting, dashboards, customer portals and retailer ordering systems.
• Strong ability to analyse large sales, stock and customer datasets.
• Strong commercial understanding of pricing, margins, promotions and profitability.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Strong understanding of the complete order-to-delivery process.
• Exceptional attention to detail and administrative discipline.
• Strong leadership, coaching and people management skills.
• Highly organised, commercially minded and proactive.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong cross-functional relationships.