Strategic Distributor Specialist- Coca-Cola Beverages x1
- Position: Strategic Distributor Specialist
- Company: Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA)
- Location: Bloemfontein
- Department: Commercial – Sales and Marketing
- Employment Type: Permanent
- Closing Date: 16 June 2026
Purpose of the Role
The Strategic Distributor Specialist is responsible for managing and developing strategic distributor partnerships to drive sales growth, revenue generation, operational excellence, and customer service performance. The role acts as the key link between CCBSA and its distributors, ensuring that commercial objectives, inventory management, forecasting, compliance, and financial targets are achieved.
Key Responsibilities
1. Sales Growth and Revenue Management
- Achieve annual volume, revenue, and profit margin targets.
- Implement channel strategies and commercial plans.
- Drive Revenue Growth Management (RGM) initiatives.
- Monitor sales performance and identify growth opportunities.
- Ensure effective execution of promotions and market initiatives.
2. Strategic Distributor Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic distributors.
- Align distributor activities with the Annual Business Plan (ABP).
- Monitor distributor performance against agreed KPIs.
- Provide ongoing support and guidance to distributors.
- Conduct regular business reviews and performance evaluations.
3. Demand Planning and Forecasting
- Provide accurate sales forecasts and market intelligence.
- Support inventory planning and stock optimization.
- Reduce stock shortages and excess inventory.
- Improve forecast accuracy and demand visibility.
- Assist in achieving On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) delivery targets.
4. Operational Excellence
- Ensure distributors comply with:
- Trading agreements
- Company policies
- Health and safety requirements
- Quality standards
- Legal and regulatory obligations
- Monitor operational performance and identify improvement opportunities.
- Resolve distribution and supply chain bottlenecks.
5. Financial and Credit Management
- Monitor distributor credit utilization and payment performance.
- Collaborate with Finance and Credit teams.
- Ensure adherence to credit terms and payment schedules.
- Reduce financial risk and improve cash flow management.
- Monitor profitability and margin performance.
6. Strategic Project Implementation
- Drive implementation of strategic business initiatives.
- Support:
- New product launches
- Digital ordering systems
- Cashless payment solutions
- Process improvement projects
- Ensure successful adoption by distributors.
7. Customer Service Improvement
- Monitor distributor service levels.
- Improve stock availability in the market.
- Address operational challenges affecting customer satisfaction.
- Monitor truck turnaround times and delivery efficiency.
- Ensure products meet quality standards throughout the distribution process.
8. Systems and Data Management
- Maintain accurate master data in ERP systems.
- Ensure integrity of sales, customer, and inventory data.
- Generate reports and performance insights.
- Support data-driven decision-making.
- Utilize ordering platforms and business systems effectively.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Relevant qualification in:
- Business Management
- Logistics
- Sales
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- Related Commercial Field
Experience
- 4–6 years of experience in:
- Commercial Operations
- Sales
- Logistics
- Distribution
- Supply Chain Management
Advantageous Experience
- ERP systems experience (Warehousing and Distribution).
- Distributor or channel management experience.
- FMCG industry experience.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Required Skills
Commercial Skills
- Sales strategy execution
- Revenue growth management
- Channel management
- Market analysis
- Business planning
Analytical Skills
- Forecasting and demand planning
- Data analysis
- Reporting and performance measurement
- Financial analysis
Technical Skills
- Advanced Microsoft Excel
- ERP systems
- Ordering platforms
- Business intelligence tools
Interpersonal Skills
- Relationship management
- Negotiation and influencing
- Stakeholder management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Problem-solving
Leadership Skills
- Initiative and accountability
- Decision-making
- Strategic thinking
- Results orientation