National Manager (Commercial Vehicle Distribution - Light, Medium & Heavy Trucks)

Introduction

Our client is a globally recognised commercial vehicle manufacturer with a growing footprint in the African market. Our client is seeking an experienced, commercially driven National Manager to lead their South African operations and drive the distribution of light, medium and heavy trucks across the country.

This is a strategic leadership role for someone who combines deep channel and distribution expertise with a hands-on approach to dealer development, market growth and team building. If you are passionate about the commercial vehicle sector and have a track record of building high-performing distribution networks, we want to hear from you.

Reporting directly to the General Manager, the National Manager is accountable for building, managing and optimising the regional distribution network in South Africa. You will drive efficient product sales through dealer channels, ensure the achievement of national sales targets, and maintain the brand's market share and channel health across all regions.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Drive achievement of national annual sales targets within the assigned region and industry scope.

• Recruit, onboard and manage qualifying new dealers; evaluate existing dealer performance and dynamically adjust channel layout to maximise market coverage.

• Cascade regional sales targets to individual dealers; develop quarterly and monthly execution plans; deploy policy incentives and resource support to drive target achievement.

• Monitor core performance metrics - including sales volumes and collections - and implement timely corrective actions where required.

• Provide end-to-end dealer support: product knowledge training, sales skills coaching, after-sales resource coordination and operational problem-solving.

• Establish distributor communication protocols; manage channel conflicts such as cross-regional product diversion and price disputes; enforce pricing discipline and brand standards.

• Gather and analyse regional market intelligence (customer needs, policy changes, competitor activity); prepare reports and recommend strategic or product adjustments to the business.

• Lead local team culture development, brand promotion activities, marketing campaign execution and channel operations to strengthen Foton's brand presence in South Africa.

Desired Experience & Qualification

• Minimum 5 years experience in truck sales, after-sales service or a related commercial vehicle industry role (non-negotiable)

• Demonstrated track record of successfully establishing 10 or more distribution channels; able to independently develop qualifying new channels.

• 12 to 15 years of channel management experience; proven ability to grow dealer capability and manage underperforming channels.

• Consistent history of meeting or exceeding sales targets; proficient in business negotiation and consultative selling.

• Ability to formulate and execute sales plans; track project milestones; coordinate internal resources to deliver results on time.

• Ability to collect, interpret and act on market intelligence; up-to-date knowledge of the truck industry, regulations and competitive landscape.

• Ability to build, lead and develop high-performing sales teams to achieve business objectives.

• Excellent verbal and written English communication; strong interpersonal skills; effective at building relationships with dealers, key accounts and internal stakeholders.

Package & Remuneration

• A high-impact leadership role with a globally recognised commercial vehicle brand.

• The opportunity to shape and grow an established national distribution network from Johannesburg.

• A long term fixed-term contract with a competitive, market-related remuneration package.

• Exposure to international business practices in a fast-growing African market.

Interested?

Apply directly via PNet by clicking the Apply Now button and uploading your CV together with a concise cover letter outlining your relevant experience.

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not received a response within two weeks of your application, please consider your application unsuccessful.