Universal Careers is a Human Resource agency founded to help exceptional candidates and international clients who are interested in living and working in the biggest economy in Africa - Nigeria.

Good clients and excellent candidates go hand in hand and the mix of the two is absolutely essential for success, it is all about people.

At Universal Careers we are a small team of industry specialists, who are servicing our clients with bespoke HR solutions. No two clients are the same, so our approach to each Client is unique. We have a large network of consultants all-over the world with whom we build teams depending on the client and the specific task at hand.

We strive by our vision of delivering the highest quality service to our customers.

POSITION : Area Sales Managers 

Key Responsibilities:

The Area Sales Manager will report directly to the Chief Commercial Officer and is primarily concerned with ensuring that there is high sales turnover in areas covered and ensuring integrated commercial success of the organization. He will carry out sales activities within a specified geography, leading a team of Sales Officers/ Field Officers while also keeping a watch on the Distributor's Merchandizers. The responsibilities of the ASM includes strategizing, planning and ensuring that he lead, motivate, direct and review his team to meet the company's sales target/objectives. He takes care of volume targets and category targets, manage primary (to Distributors), secondary (to Retail Outlets) and enable tertiary sales (to end Consumers through merchandising, display and on-ground visibility).

He will act and think as a leader. He will align the region values while inspiring confidence and generating excitement, enthusiasm and commitment towards the mission. 

Key Accountabilities:

Generation of Primary, secondary sales and ensuring primary according to secondary plan build-up
Fixing the norms according to sales plan
Developing Distribution channel (General Trade/ Traditional Trade)
Territory Development and achieving coverage target.
 Close monitoring and relationship with Distributors and their manpower, with full quality ensured
Reviving and instilling brand awareness in coverage area
Cost controls and improving cost efficiency.
Monitoring channel payment.
Timely liquidation of old stock (slow-moving)
Accountable for any liability of spoil stock due to aging/ expired stock.

People Development

Review, Governance and Training/ Counseling of Sales Representatives and Sales Officers
Guide and Motivate to ensure better productivity & morale
Develop skills for subordinates through on-the-job coaching in the field

Reporting and Feedback

Daily sales reports in time
Feedback reports of new launch products
Immediate feedback of competitors- activity.
Presenting monthly meeting reports.

Key Attributes:

Hold a pertinent university degree.
Strong Process knowledge of sales operations
Ability to manage teams with a minimum of 7 years' relevant experience
Good influence, selling skills, promotion planning, trade spend management
Ability to foresee future requirements keeping in mind the changing organization needs.
Ability to do multi tasks and be comfortable with some ambiguity.
Accuracy – Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
Very strong Demonstrated Sales & Distribution ability
Must have managed a team of company-payroll employees in sales.
Must have managerial experience from  FMCG industry
Fluent in English & Local Language

POSITION : Modern Trade Manager 

Key Responsibilities:

The Modern Trade Manager will report directly to the Chief Commercial Officer and is primarily concerned with ensuring that there is high sales turnover from modern trade and ensuring that the products of the company is seen and showcased appropriately to improve the brand image of the company. The responsibilities of the MTM includes strategizing, planning and ensuring that he lead, motivate, direct and review his team to meet the company's sales target/objectives. He takes care of volume targets, category targets and tertiary sales (to end Consumers through merchandising, display and on-ground visibility).

He will act and think as a leader. He will align the region values while inspiring confidence and generating excitement, enthusiasm and commitment towards the mission. 

Key Accountabilities:

Sell/Cover all Modern Trade outlets within the defined geography
Lead with direct team responsibility
Manage relationships at stores, distribution centers, zonal offices of all the Modern Trade chains
Lead a team of merchandisers & promoters to drive visibility and off takes through the modern trade outlets
Manage exclusive Modern Trade distributor based in Chennai & Hyderabad
Drive sales in Modern Trade in assigned geography with alignment of plans with the traditional trade team (BSM/ASM)
Coordinate with Modern Trade account teams and customer marketing teams on plans and inputs to maximize sales from the channel
Close monitoring and relationship with Distributors and their manpower, with full quality ensured
Reviving and instilling brand awareness in coverage area
Cost controls and improving cost efficiency.
Monitoring channel payment.
Timely liquidation of old stock (slow-moving)
Accountable for any liability of spoil stock due to aging/ expired stock.

People Development

Review, Governance and Training/ Counseling of Sales Representatives and Sales Officer
Guide and Motivate to ensure better productivity & morale
Develop skills for subordinates through on-the-job coaching in the field

Reporting and Feedback

Daily sales reports in time
Feedback reports of new launch products
Immediate feedback of competitors- activity.
Presenting monthly meeting reports.

Key Attributes:

Hold a pertinent university degree.
Strong relevant network
Must have at least 7 years experience of which 3 years’ should be as a Modern Trade Manager
Strong Process knowledge of sales operations especially in Modern trade
Ability to manage teams
Good influence, selling skills, promotion planning, trade spend management
Ability to foresee future requirements keeping in mind the changing organization needs.
Ability to do multi tasks and be comfortable with some ambiguity.
Accuracy – Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
Very strong Demonstrated Sales & Distribution ability
Must have managerial experience from  FMCG industry
Fluent in English & Local Language

POSITION : Field Sales Officers 

Key Responsibilities:

The Field Sales Officer reports directly to the Area Sales Manager and is primarily responsible for direct sales and physical follow up with the retailers. He will be required to manage the retailers and create the retailer for his distributor to generate more business.

Key Accountabilities

Visit retailer in allotted area / segment
Explain product concept and benefit to merchants
Explain and display product benefit process
Personally contacts and secure new business accounts/customers.
Makes telephone calls and in-person visits and presentations to existing and prospective         customers.
Researches sources for developing prospective customers and for information tdetermine their potential.
Develops clear and effective written proposals/quotations for current and prospective   customers.
Expedites the resolution of customer problems and complaints.
Analyzes the territory/market’s potential and determines the value of existing and   prospective customer’s value to the organization.

Key Attributes:

Possession of a degree
3 years' experience as a Field Sales Officer in the FMCG sector
Required to be self-motivated and dependable.
Must be versatile, flexible and treat clients with exceptional respect and care
Must demonstrate aptitude for problem-solving and determining solutions for customers (consultative sales approach).
Must be result-orientated and able to work both independently and within a team environment.
Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Possess a valid driving license