Distributor Manager

Aufgaben

We are seeking a commercially focused and relationship-driven Distributor Manager to support the Regional Director in managing and developing our in-market distribution partnership in South Africa. This role is critical in ensuring the successful execution of commercial and marketing strategies while driving distributor performance, market growth, and operational excellence.

As the primary day-to-day contact for the distribution partner, you will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to deliver business objectives, strengthen route-to-consumer capabilities, and ensure outstanding execution across all channels. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who enjoys building strong partnerships, analysing business performance, and identifying opportunities to deliver sustainable growth.

Rollenverantwortung

Build and maintain strong working relationships with the in-market distribution partner, ensuring high levels of engagement and performance. 

Act as the distributor's primary point of contact for day-to-day operational and executional requirements. 

Lead the implementation and adoption of the Integrated Business Operating Rhythm (IBOR), ensuring alignment between key stakeholders and the distributor.  

Support the development and deployment of Route-to-Consumer (RTC) plans and global capability-building tools.  

Hold the distribution partner accountable for the development and execution of channel plans, ensuring optimal distribution, merchandising standards, and customer activation. 

Ensure marketing campaigns and activation programmes are effectively executed within priority outlets and key geographical areas. 

Prepare, review and provide commentary on monthly RTC and commercial performance reports.  

Coordinate new product launches, ensuring timely implementation and compliance with local regulatory requirements. 

Analyse commercial performance data, including sales, stock levels, forecasts, distribution metrics, activations and market share, to identify opportunities and risks.   

Develop a strong understanding of market trends, customer behaviour, shopper insights and competitor activity to support commercial decision-making and growth initiatives.  

Unser idealer Kandidat/in

The successful candidate will be a commercially astute professional with excellent stakeholder management skills and a strong ability to influence and drive performance through partnerships. They will be comfortable working with data, translating insights into actions, and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

You will ideally have:

Experience in distributor management, account management, sales, commercial operations, or customer-facing roles. 

Strong commercial and business acumen with the ability to identify growth opportunities. 

Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.  

Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting sales and performance data.

Experience managing projects, implementing plans and driving execution through third-party partners. 

Effective communication, influencing and presentation skills. 

Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities. 

A proactive, results-oriented approach and a passion for delivering exceptional commercial outcomes.  

Experience within FMCG, consumer goods, beverages or a similar industry would be advantageous. 

A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in a commercial, business or related discipline. 

Was wir Dir bieten

• 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 employees.
• 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.

Über 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.