Zonal Sales Manager

Role Overview

This position leads commercial execution for a defined geographic zone, making sure mobile voice, data, and mobile money products reach customers through every available retail and distribution channel. Reporting to the Zonal Business Manager, the role blends field team leadership with hands-on trade management: you will set daily sales targets, coach and supervise a team of sales representatives, open and develop new outlets, and resolve any roadblocks that slow down product availability or activation. Your success directly determines the zone's revenue performance and market share growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and implement a distribution plan tailored to the assigned zone, including route-to-market decisions, outlet prioritisation, and stock flow management.
• Translate the zonal sales target into individual and team KPIs, then track performance daily to ensure every site hits its expected contribution.
• Design and run sales promotions and engagement activities that increase customer acquisition, improve dealer loyalty, and raise the company's presence in high-potential areas.
• Run structured field routines with the sales team, including morning briefings, joint outlet visits, performance reviews, and coaching sessions to keep the team disciplined and focused.
• Manage the zone's resources responsibly, from sales budgets and promotional materials to field assets, while enforcing company standards and compliance.
• Monitor branding and merchandising across all retail touchpoints, ensuring consistent visibility and professional presentation in line with corporate guidelines.
• Identify, approach, and recruit capable franchise partners and distributors, then support them with onboarding, business guidance, and regular performance monitoring.
• Act as the first escalation point for trade disputes, network faults, or supply chain issues in the zone, and track every issue until it is fully resolved.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A Diploma or Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution in a business-related field, with a solid grasp of sales and distribution concepts.
• 4 to 6 years of hands-on experience in distribution, retail, or indirect sales, ideally within the telecommunications, mobile money, or FMCG sectors.
• Proven leadership experience managing a field sales force, with the ability to motivate, discipline, and develop a team that consistently delivers results.
• Working knowledge of business finance principles, including pricing, margin analysis, and cost control, to support commercial decision-making.
• Strong data literacy and analytical capability to interpret sales reports, identify underperforming outlets, and adjust plans quickly.
• Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills, enabling effective engagement with internal leadership, retail partners, and field staff.
• A record of driving operational excellence through clear project execution, stakeholder collaboration, and delivering on tight deadlines.
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills for handling dealer relationships, resolving conflicts, and building long-term commercial partnerships.
• Flexibility to be assigned to any region across the country, with a willingness to travel extensively within the zone.