Merchandising Manager (Nelspruit Based)

September 10, 2024

Lindt and Sprungli (South Africa)

Nelspruit

FULL TIME

Background of the Company

Lindt & Sprüngli (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (Lindt SA) started operations in May 2011 and forms part of the Lindt & Sprüngli group of companies. With more than 150 employees, Lindt SA is based in Cape Town with strong regional presence in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth and a network of 15 Lindt retail stores.

As global leader in the premium chocolate sector, Lindt & Sprüngli looks back on a long-standing tradition of almost 175 years which takes its origins in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, quality chocolate products by Lindt & Sprüngli are made at 12 owned production sites in Europe and the USA. The products are distributed by 28 subsidiary companies and branch offices, in around 500 Lindt shops and cafés, and also via a comprehensive network of more than 100 independent distributors around the globe.

Position Purpose
The position of Merchandising Manager is a regional function, reporting directly to the Head of Field Force ensures the effective implementation of sales strategies, business plans and policies in order to achieve sales budgets and maximize profitability. This is achieved through effective administration and the successful management and motivation of the Merchandising agency.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Marketing:
- Implement brand strategies and policies.
- Trade visits with our merchandising agency in the greater inland area travel may include other regions.
- Schedule and perform trade visits and training with our merchandising agency.
- Implement and monitor promotions and/or product drives.
- Attend merchandising agency cycle brief on a regular basis and present performance figures as well as up and coming NPD launches and strategies.
- Evaluate and initiate forward share to control Category Management in all stores with regards to “The Perfect Store” which is a Lindt app which will record certain in store information i.e sku facings of competitors and Lindt facings.
- Driving SELL OUT initiatives i.e Focus on key opportunities in store such additional POS placements, driving for excellence in terms of correct layouts/flows.
- Driving POS (point of sale) placement in support of promotions and sell out initiatives.
- Setting action plans to rectify deficits and sales targets.
- Monitor and control promotional pricing in the trade.
- Monitor and control mark downs and returns.
- Maintain and promote growth.
- Building customer relationships in the trade.

Management and Supervision:
- Monitor performance of the merchandising agency.
- Lead, manage, monitor and motivate staff in the trade.
- Daily communication with Head of Field Sales.

Administration:
- Log feedback via Lindt Mobile daily and ensure to follow up via e-mail to address issues/concerns.
- Contact report done via Lindt Mobile.
- Monitoring sales budgets.
- Write weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports to update Head of Field Sales of happenings in regions.
- Attend all meetings scheduled.
- Attend monthly meetings with the Merchandising agency and provide feedback.

Skills & Competencies

Strong management and leadership abilities.
Great passion for brands.
Strong analytical and management skills.
Strong communication skills.
Strong understanding of consumers and the market and how this can be used to support and develop the brand.
Entrepreneurial spirit with good communication and negotiation skills.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Proactive and able to work autonomously.
Great team player, willing to support and take over additional workload whenever required.
Excellent MS skills, especially Excel and Power Point.
Strong English skills (both spoken and written).
Ideas and solutions driven.
Structured organizational skills.
Excellent people skills.
Ability to travel and sleep out frequently – Sleep out up 2/3 days a week.

Completed, relevant bachelor’s degree would be advantageous.
A minimum of five years' relevant experience in FMCG, managing a 3rd party/agents, understanding the store processes and store ordering systems in all major retailers in South Africa.