Corporate10 days left

Account Manager

South Africa, NationalRetailCloses 14 August 2026

About this role

JOB TITLE                       :    Account Manager

Department                    :    Ares Holdings, Brands

Reporting to                   :    Sales Manager: Field Accounts

Direct reports                :    N/A

Key customers              :     Stakeholders in client organizations, Customers, Marketing Team

Main purpose                  :    To lead and develop a high performance, customer-centric team that focuses on building and optimising customer relationships at all levels with the goal of achieving sales and profit targets through effective planning, management, and execution.   

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 1: Sales Management

  • Responsible for the creation of budgets and forecasts of the wholesale channel by territory and by key account, SIS, elite accounts, speciality and independent
  • Management of sales pipeline and white space document to be constantly reviewed to ascertain market potential.
  • Develop sales strategies, setting revenue and margin targets, territorial growths, account, and door growth targets, m2 growth targets, SIS targets, end-use growth targets and percentage contributions and account plans.
  • Drive sales and motivate the sales force to ensure all sales targets are achieved.
  • Conduct store visits - own, customer and competitor - to review trends, customer specific issues and competitor activities to help formulate strategic plans and be proactive in reacting to market conditions.
  • Manage the full GTM sales process from planning, co-ordinating and developing sales tools that directly support the sell-in process for both existing and new accounts.
  • Foster good relationships with all customers, specifically SIS accounts. Assisting them with growth strategies and suggestions for expansion, planning and in stock programs within their business
  • Foster on-going professional relationships with existing customers and sales force, creating a culture of consultative selling, monitoring sell through data, replenishment suggestions to maximise sales, promotion suggestions, seasonal planning.
  • Attend international sales conferences and product meetings

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 2: STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

  • Build close working relationships with other members of the management team.
  • Along with merchandising, maintain good product mix, ensuring responsible segmentation by end-use and G.B.B tiering with full head to toe + accessories buy-in per account.
  • Work with S&OP and cross functional teams to drive alignment and visibility in relation to wholesale numbers, forecasts, management of order book and market feedback.
  • Management of Brand Ninja's (Together with Marketing) development, planning, monitoring, appraisal of outputs - always ensuring a collaborative effort and effective communication of vision and strategies to drive VM excellence, training, in-stock guidance per customer, potential up selling and relationship development.
  • Help marketing to identify opportunities for new promotions within all channels.
  • Support the Key Account Manager/Agents in negotiations with customers - specifically but not limited to promotion confirmations and price increases.
  • Ensure customer service team provides exceptional service in accordance with the companies' service level standards through the monitoring and reporting on service standards and procedures.
  • Manage, review performance, mentor and develop subordinates to ensure strong engagement and understanding of their roles in achieving the company sales goals.
  • Provide stakeholders with recommendations on product mix and performance of the brand through monthly reporting and analysis of sales reports.
  • Formulate, with finance, sales incentives for the sales team working within prescribed budgets.
  • Lead by example according to company policies, develop and drive a high performance, accountable culture

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 3: CUSTOMERS

  • Ensure customers meet order deadline commitments.
  • Deal promptly and creatively with escalated queries and complaints from customers

 KEY LEADERSHIP & INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCIES

(Behaviours that enhance the desired culture, values and the pursuit of the core purpose of the business)


  • VALUES:
    • We believe in the power of brands and growing brands responsibly
    • We believe in developing and building our teams for the benefit of all stakeholders
    • We believe in continuous investment into our people and our business platforms
    • We care deeply about our environment and our people
  • LEADERSHIP & RELATIONSHIP BEHAVIOURS
    • Customer-Centric: Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor.
    • Proactive Communication: Keep open, transparent dialogue with clients to meet their needs.
    • Collaboration: Work with internal teams to deliver seamless solutions for clients.
    • Conflict Resolution: Resolve challenges diplomatically and professionally.
    • Influence & Negotiation: Influence stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
    • Adaptability: Adjust to changing client needs and market conditions.
    • Mentorship: Foster team growth and development.
    • Accountability: Take ownership of client account success.
    • Customer Advocacy: Prioritize clients' interests within the organization.

TECHNICAL AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

(Specific technical, functional and professional skills, knowledge, abilities, attributes and aptitudes that are required to be able to do this job well relative to the delivery of the Main Purpose and Key Accountabilities)


o   Sales & Business Development: Expertise in sales processes, account management, and driving revenue growth.

o   Product Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the product portfolio to offer tailored solutions.

o   Negotiation Skills: Ability to negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms effectively.

o   CRM Software Proficiency: Strong knowledge of CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) for managing accounts and tracking progress.

o   Market Research: Capability to analyse market trends, customer insights, and competitor activities.

o   Financial Acumen: Understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and managing financial performance.

o   Relationship Management: Skill in managing and growing long-term relationships with clients and key stakeholders.

o   Project Management: Ability to plan, execute, and oversee projects to ensure timely delivery and success.

o   Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills for presentations, client meetings, and reporting.

o   Problem Solving: Ability to identify challenges and develop creative solutions to meet client needs and business goals.


MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

  • Grade 12
  • Relevant tertiary qualification in Sales, Marketing, Business Management, Commerce or a related field (advantageous).

Experience

  • 2 + years’ experience in an Account Manager, Sales Representative or similar commercial sales role.
  • Experience working within a retail, wholesale or e‑commerce sales environment.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting key or field customer accounts.
  • Proven ability to prepare and manage sales reports, budgets, forecasts and account plans.
  • Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency
  • Exposure to ERP systems such as SAP (advantageous).
  • Ability and willingness to travel locally as required for customer and field engagement.

Industry Knowledge

  • Strong understanding of sport and lifestyle brands and market opportunities within the retail, wholesale and e‑commerce landscape.
  • Solid business and commercial acumen, with an understanding of sales drivers, margins and account profitability.
  • Understanding of retail KPI measurements, including sales performance, sell‑through, order book management and forecasting.
  • Strong product focus with the ability to translate product knowledge into effective customer solutions. 

Professional & Behavioural

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Highly organised, structured and deadline driven.
  • Strong ability to collaborate across functions and facilitate teamwork.
  • Proven capability to build, maintain and grow stakeholder relationships, both internally and externally.
  • Customer‑first service orientation with a flexible, solutions‑focused approach.
  • Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a broader sales team.


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