National Sales Manager (Food)

Job Description

National Sales Manager (Food)
Location: Nationwide, Nigeria
Department: Sales
Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic National Sales Manager (Food) to lead the nationwide commercial strategy, revenue growth, and market expansion for our food division.

In this senior leadership role, you will be responsible for driving sales performance, managing regional distribution networks, and leading high-performing sales teams primarily across the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) food sector (specifically focusing on products like tomato paste, margarine, consumer-pack edible oil, sugar, and related categories).

Key Responsibilities
• Commercial & Strategic Leadership: Drive overall commercial strategy, sales, promotions, and collections to achieve ambitious national sales targets within the food division.
• Network Expansion & Traditional Trade: Identify growth opportunities, open new channels, and drive deep market penetration and distribution footprint expansion across traditional trade networks.
• Sales Team Management: Lead, motivate, and guide regional sales teams (RSMs, Area Sales Managers, and Sales Supervisors) to accomplish revenue goals, maintain coverage plans, and optimize team strike rates.
• Principal & Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong, positive working relationships with principals, key distributors, dealers, and retail partners.
• Operations & Forecasting: Oversee timely stock ordering, accurate demand forecasting, inventory management, and debt management/debtor confirmations.
• Market Intelligence & Reporting: Monitor competitor activities, track value chains, and submit timely monthly management decks, MIS reports, and market research insights.
• Talent Development: Hire, train, coach, and mentor sales personnel to continuously build a high-performance culture.

Key Requirements & Qualifications
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or HND in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in sales and distribution within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, with at least 5 years in a senior sales managerial position (ideally managing food categories such as tomato paste, margarine, edible oil, or sugar).
• Strong preference for candidates with direct commercial experience scaling food brands from established market players (such as Sonia Foods, Tasty Tom, Gino, Laziz, Mr. Chef, or similar food manufacturing/distribution companies).
• Deep understanding of traditional trade distribution systems, network filling, and supply chain mechanics.
• Proven competence in P&L management, budget tracking, and cost analysis.
• Outstanding negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• High computer literacy with proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Exceptional leadership capabilities, high integrity, result-oriented mindset, strong customer focus, and excellent cross-functional communication skills.

What We Offer
• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity to shape the growth trajectory of leading consumer food brands on a national scale.
• A collaborative, fast-paced, and results-driven work culture.

****PLEASE NOTE****
Only selected candidates with valid experience will be contacted.

All information will be treated with strictest confidentiality.