Trade Development Representative – Indirect Retail (Contract basis)

SUMMARY:
Join a leading FMCG business and own a territory that's yours to grow.

Are you a driven sales professional who thrives in the field, builds strong relationships with retail owners and managers, and knows how to turn coverage and execution into real commercial results? We're looking for a Trade Development Representative to manage and grow our a highly reputable FMCG's Indirect Retail store base.

This is a high-impact, multi-channel role combining physical store visits, hybrid engagement, and digital/remote account management — giving you the variety and autonomy that field sales careers are built on.

Please email your CV to ellarine@obr.co.za or apply here directly. Please note this will be on a contractual basis

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities
Trade & Territory Management

• Manage a balanced mix of physical, hybrid, and remote retail store coverage, ensuring every account in your territory gets the right level of attention.
• Drive digital engagement and call-cycle effectiveness across your store base, supported by back-office teams.
• Build strong relationships with store owners, managers, and staff — educating them on new products and driving uptake.

• Segment your store universe to plan coverage and optimise point-of-sale investment.
• Drive in-store brand visibility through cycle execution and merchandising.
• Train and upskill retail staff, tracking their product knowledge through clear KPIs.
• Plan and host in-store activations that drive customer awareness and trial.
• Identify and onboard new retail partners, expanding your store base.

• Plan and prioritise visits to digital/remote accounts based on data-led segmentation.
• Resolve on-the-ground issues flagged by your back-office support team.
• Support distribution growth and broader business objectives across your digital store base.

• Work with third-party field teams and managers to ensure consistent, high-quality store execution.
• Ensure full coverage of key accounts and monitor compliance with merchandising standards.
• Assess third-party performance and recommend improvements.

• Capture accurate store and territory data using sales tracking tools.
• Analyse performance trends and build improvement plans.
• Provide regular reporting and use insights to inform forecasting and strategy.

• Roll out trade engagement programs, ensuring retail partners understand the mechanics and stay compliant.
• Deliver ongoing product and systems training to your team.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of relevant industry regulations and apply the highest standards of integrity in every interaction.

• Matric (essential)
• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience
• Valid driver's license
• Minimum 3 years' FMCG sales experience
• Minimum 2 years' experience leading people or processes
• Comfortable using digital sales tools (POS systems, sales apps)
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Strong English communication skills

• Excellent multi-tasking across competing priorities
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving ability
• Sharp numeracy, analytical thinking, and financial literacy

• Strategic and commercial thinking, with strong sales territory management instincts
• Confident influencing and negotiation skills
• A track record of building trust and delivering results
• A coaching mindset — you bring others up with you
• Calm, clear decision-making under pressure
• A genuine appetite for learning and growth