Job Introduction
We are looking for an experienced and commercially driven Distributor Manager to support the Country Manager – North, East Africa in managing our distribution partnership in Kenya. This role is responsible for developing strong relationships with our in-market distributor, driving commercial performance, and ensuring the successful execution of sales, marketing, and route-to-consumer strategies.
As the key contact for distributor operations, you will work closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to maximise market opportunities, strengthen distributor capabilities, and deliver sustainable revenue growth. This is an exciting opportunity for a results-oriented professional with a strong background in sales, channel management, and distributor development.
Main Responsibility
Build and maintain strong relationships with the in-market distributor to support the delivery of agreed commercial plans and performance objectives.
Act as the primary day-to-day contact for the distributor, providing support and guidance on executional requirements.
Implement and manage the Integrated Business Operating Rhythm (IBOR) process, ensuring effective collaboration between internal stakeholders and the distribution partner.
Support the development and deployment of Route-to-Consumer (RTC) plans and global capability-building tools to enhance distributor effectiveness.
Hold the distributor accountable for the delivery of channel plans, ensuring optimal distribution, merchandising execution standards (MES), and market activation.
Ensure marketing campaigns and activation programmes are executed effectively across priority channels, outlets, and geographies.
Prepare, analyse and provide commentary on monthly Route-to-Consumer and commercial performance reports.
Coordinate new product launches with internal teams and distribution partners, ensuring timely execution and compliance with local regulatory requirements.
Analyse sales, stock, forecast, distribution, activation and market share data to identify risks, opportunities, and actions to drive growth.
Develop a strong understanding of market trends, customer needs, shopper behaviour and competitor activity to support strategic decision-making and business growth.
Our Ideal Candidate
We are seeking a commercially astute professional with a proven track record in distributor, channel, or sales management. You will be a confident relationship builder, capable of influencing partners and stakeholders while using data and insights to drive business performance.
You will ideally have:
5–10+ years' experience in sales, channel management, or distribution management.
Experience working with distributors within FMCG, beverages, or branded consumer goods environments.
A proven track record of achieving and exceeding revenue and commercial targets.
Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
Expertise in channel strategy, route-to-market execution, and partner development.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions and identify growth opportunities.
Financial acumen, including an understanding of margins, stock management, forecasting, and credit control.
Excellent leadership, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to drive results through cross-functional teams and external partners.
A proactive, resilient and results-focused approach with a passion for delivering outstanding commercial performance.
What we can offer you
- We offer a competitive salary and benefits which are designed to promote our employees financial wellbeing. Employees are also eligible to participate in a bonus plan.
- Holiday entitlement.
- Private Healthcare
- Pension provision for local nationals is addressed by the statutory plan (this is currently under individual arrangements)
- Our Employee Assistance Programme offers practical, impartial support on everyday matters ranging from medical, financial and legal to home and family issues.
- Our Life Assurance cover is a multiple of three times your annual basic salary.
- Product allowance so that you can enjoy our fantastic portfolio of brands with your family and friends.
- Every employee has the opportunity to claim funding each year for a charity or charities for which they have raised money, volunteered their time or personally donated.
- Learning resources to help you be your best self.
About William Grant & Sons
A HOME FOR RARE CHARACTERS
William Grant & Sons: a home where Rare Characters thrive.
We value every employee for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Every one of our colleagues has a role to play in helping us to achieve our growth ambitions.
At William Grant & Sons, our vision is to be A home where rare characters thrive. We value all colleagues for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We strive to create an environment where we can all be our best and bring our whole selves to work.
OUR AGILE WORKING PHILOSOPHY
Our agile working philosophy is to “Have your best work day everyday”.
Built on trust, we empower our rare characters to have their best work day every day. Where flexibility and positive working experiences help employees to feel connected and release potential across our teams.
We are open to discussing possible agile/flexible working options as part of the recruitment process.
INCLUSIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive. If you have any questions or need some support with your application we’d love to hear from you. So please get in touch with our HR team at recruitment.enquiries@wgrant.com.
William Grant & Sons
