Customer Growth Director SSA

Role Overview

This Customer Growth Director position leads Mars Snacking’s commercial growth agenda across Sub-Saharan Africa, turning shopper and customer intelligence into practical plans that improve availability, conversion, and return on investment. The role works across Traditional Trade, Modern Trade, and D-Commerce, and acts as a close commercial partner to the General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa and the wider Africa Business Team. Day to day, it combines team leadership, customer strategy, budget governance, and cross-functional influence to unlock profitable growth for Mars Snacking’s confectionery, salty snacks, and cereals portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the direction and annual priorities for the SSA customer growth plan, ensuring it is efficient, profitable, and sustainable across all relevant retail channels.
• Coach and develop the Customer Growth Team, building commercial capability, accountability, and a strong performance culture.
• Drive execution of the Intelligent Perfect Store and Perfect Digital Store programs, Transaction Zone improvements, and shopper activations that raise on-shelf conversion and physical availability.
• Convert shopper, channel, and market insights into category and display solutions, working with regional sales teams and service partners to bring them to life in store and online.
• Own and govern customer, display, and shopper marketing budgets across SSA, applying clear measurement and evaluation to maximize commercial ROI.
• Build and strengthen strategic relationships with key trading partners, using joint business planning to align growth objectives and unlock mutual value.
• Collaborate with Growth, Marketing, and Demand Planning teams, feeding market intelligence into innovation, forecasting, and brand strategy decisions.
• Serve as an active member of the Africa Business Team, contributing to regional business objectives, organizational capability, and Mars culture.

Requirements & Qualifications

• 15–20+ years of progressive FMCG commercial and sales experience, with a proven record in sales execution, customer development, category strategy, and joint business planning.
• Bachelor’s degree required; an MBA or advanced degree in business administration or a related commercial field is strongly preferred.
• Broad Sub-Saharan Africa market knowledge and hands-on experience across Traditional Trade route-to-market, Modern Trade partnerships, and emerging D-Commerce channels.
• Demonstrated ability to own and optimize multi-market customer, shopper marketing, and display budgets, with a strong focus on commercial ROI.
• Track record of leading, inspiring, and developing high-performing teams, including direct reports and cross-functional associates, with a commitment to inclusion, engagement, and growth.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and executive presence, able to navigate complexity, influence senior stakeholders, and turn shopper insights into tangible retail execution.
• Enterprise mindset and comfort operating as a senior commercial partner to the General Manager Sub Sahara Africa and the Africa Business Team.

Why Join

• Lead the customer growth agenda for an iconic snacking portfolio that spans confectionery, salty snacks, and cereals.
• Shape commercial strategy across diverse SSA retail landscapes, directly influencing availability, conversion, and ROI.
• Partner with the General Manager Sub Sahara Africa and the Africa Business Team while leading a passionate customer growth team.
• Build long-term strategic partnerships with key trading partners and contribute to Mars culture across the region.