National Sales Manager

Position Summary

The National Sales Manager is responsible for leading and executing the companys national sales strategy within the Food & Beverage sector. This role drives revenue growth, expands market share, manages key accounts, and leads regional sales teams to achieve performance targets. The ideal candidate combines strategic planning, team leadership, and deep industry knowledge to strengthen brand presence and profitability nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement national sales strategies aligned with company objectives
• Identify new market opportunities, distribution channels, and growth segments
• Establish annual sales targets, forecasts, and KPIs

Revenue & Growth Management

• Drive revenue growth across retail, wholesale, foodservice, and distributor networks
• Monitor sales performance, analyse trends, and adjust strategies accordingly
• Manage pricing strategies, promotional planning, and margin optimisation

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop regional and territory sales managers
• Set performance expectations and conduct regular evaluations
• Foster a high-performance, results-driven sales culture

Key Account Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with national retail chains, distributors, and strategic partners
• Negotiate contracts, trade agreements, and promotional programs
• Oversee major account performance and expansion initiatives

Market & Competitive Analysis

• Track competitor activities, market trends, and consumer behaviour
• Provide insights to marketing and product teams for innovation and positioning
• Represent the company at industry trade shows and key events

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with marketing, supply chain, finance, and operations to ensure seamless execution
• Align inventory planning with sales forecasts
• Support new product launches and national campaigns

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelors degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or related field (MBA preferred)

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive sales experience in the Food & Beverage industry
• Minimum 7-10 years in a leadership or national-level sales role
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets

Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills
• Strategic thinking and analytical ability
• Leadership and team development expertise
• Financial acumen (P&L, forecasting, budgeting)
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• CRM and sales analytics proficiency

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• National revenue growth
• Market share expansion
• Gross margin performance
• Sales team target achievement rate
• Key account retention and expansion