Regional Sales Manager - Northern Nigeria at Olam Food Ingredients (OFI)

Olam Food Ingredients (OFI) is a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply.

Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Regional Sales Manager - Northern Nigeria

Location: Kano
Employment Type: Full-time

Overview of the Role

• The B2B Dairy market in Nigeria can be broadly divided into two segments - Open Market (36000 MT/annum) and Institutions (~ 190 MT/annum). We define ‘Open Market’ as comprising of large key distributors similar to a typical FMCG structure spread across the country.
• These distributors in turn service smaller retailers and artisanal dairy manufacturers in their respective regions. We estimate this segment to comprise of approx. 20% of the Dairy imports into the country.
• Our products and brands (Lactorich, Supercow, Preplait and Milk House Blue) are known and trusted across the country, commanding a 10% premium over our closest competitors.
• Trade in this segment is characterized by lucratively high margins and requiring an FMCG-like distribution network (and brands) to address the needs of the primary distributors.
• Territorially, we broadly categorize the business into two - North and Southern region following broad geographic structures in the country.
• The Northern region is our most important business contributing to 70% of our overall volumes. In FY24, we have averaged close to 1000 MT/month (approx. $ 50 mil/annum revenue) in the region and our ambition is to grow this business to 1400 MT/month (approx.. $ 70 mil/annum revenue).
• While we command a substantial market share, we do have some gaps in our Distribution network - plugging these geographical gaps is a major focus of our Distribution strategy.

Responsibilities

• To effectively address this large part of the Open Market business, we are seeking a resource who can fill these gaps and be groomed into an NSM role. This will be a key senior role with direct reporting into the NSM, with a high potential to move into the NSM role.

Our major asks from this role are:

• Develop a roadmap and sales strategy to address the Open market segment in the North
• Build and manage the open market team
• Undertake product research activities and liaise with product development team to identify new opportunities
• Manage logistics & ensure smooth deliveries
• Business Development - opening new geographies and value chains in the Northern region
• Tracking of sales overheads and ensuring zero deviations from budget
• Understand and address distribution gaps in the open market with specific focus on the Northern region
• Establish productive and professional relationships with key customer accounts
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual sales forecasts

Requirements

• MBA from a recognized institution school with 2-3 years of post-qualification industry experience. Africa experience would be a plus.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline 31st January, 2025.

Note

• Ofi is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, nationality, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Applicants are requested to complete all required steps in the application process including providing a resume/CV in order to be considered for open roles.