Branch Manager (Nelspruit)

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Qualification in Sales Management or Business Management (essential)
• Minimum 10 years senior sales and sales management experience
• Minimum 7 years team management experience
• Minimum 7 years inventory management and oversight experience
• Experience managing HR-related matters, employee performance and KPIs
• Strong understanding of income statements, gross profit, net profit, budgeting, cost control and stock efficiency
• Warehouse management experience will be advantageous
• Experience managing company assets, including vehicles, laptops and cell phones
• Knowledge of batteries will be advantageous
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, communication and organisational skills
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and senior management
• Customer-focused, commercially minded and results-driven
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making and conflict-resolution skills
• Proactive, action-oriented and able to work effectively under pressure

Key Responsibilities

1) Sales Management and Business Development

• Develop and implement sales strategies to achieve branch targets, revenue growth and profitability
• Manage and support sales staff to achieve individual and branch targets
• Grow existing customer accounts and identify new business opportunities
• Maintain relationships with key customers, suppliers, head office and internal stakeholders
• Oversee wholesale accounts, walk-in customers, sales orders and customer enquiries
• Monitor sales trends, competitor activity and market requirements to identify growth opportunities
• Conduct regular sales meetings to review turnover, margins, stock levels, forecasts, debtors and performance
• Prepare monthly sales reports and provide recommendations to senior management
• Handle customer complaints and ensure effective service delivery
• Oversee export sales and ensure accurate completion of export documentation, where applicable
• Monitor trade promotions and evaluate their effectiveness
• Ensure the correct products are supplied for the intended application

2) Inventory and Warehouse Management

• Oversee stock levels, availability, movement, accuracy and efficiency
• Monitor stock performance and communicate shortages and procurement requirements to the relevant managers
• Coordinate with warehouse, dispatch and procurement teams to resolve stock queries and ensure timely deliveries
• Monitor outstanding orders and back orders, ensuring customers receive updates on expected delivery dates
• Assist with stocktakes and investigate stock discrepancies when required
• Ensure warehouse operations, housekeeping and stock-handling practices meet company standards
• Ensure compliance with relevant workplace safety and environmental procedures

3) Financial and Business Management

• Assist with preparing the annual branch budget and monitor expenditure against approved budgets
• Monitor branch turnover, gross profit, net profit, margins and overall profitability
• Analyse financial and sales performance, investigate variances and implement corrective actions
• Identify opportunities to improve cost control, stock efficiency and business performance
• Monitor debtor-related matters and ensure adherence to approved financial procedures and internal controls
• Contribute to business planning and recommend improvements to sales strategies, systems and operational processes
• Provide accurate and timely management reports on branch performance

4) Staff Management and Branch Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the branch, ensuring effective coordination between sales, warehouse, dispatch and procurement
• Manage, supervise and develop branch employees, including sales and warehouse staff
• Identify staffing requirements and participate in recruitment and onboarding
• Train employees on company policies, products, procedures and operational standards
• Set performance objectives, monitor KPIs and conduct performance reviews and annual appraisals
• Address performance concerns and HR-related matters in line with company policies and applicable labour legislation
• Promote accountability, teamwork and a positive working environment
• Oversee company assets, including vehicles, laptops and cell phones, ensuring appropriate use and accountability
• Maintain accurate customer records and ensure branch systems and databases are kept up to date
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, health and safety requirements and environmental standards
• Identify operational challenges and implement corrective actions