Distribution Manager
Lebbeke-Wieze, VOV, BE, 9280
About the role
Expand business through distribution for the distribution market in BELUX. Transform and develop market strategies together and align with the distributors. Manage overall distribution business by setting goals and targets and measuring key performance indicators. Proactively develop market opportunities to develop segment-focused commercial programs. Guide and train distribution sales force and wholesalers with brands, and products and provide relevant technical support. Monitor sales data and keep up to date with current market trends and customer needs. Forecast and lead the supply chain to satisfy the market demand. Be the main contact within BC for distributors to take full responsibility for managing and coordinating distribution business interactions and transactions in a professional manner. Proactively prospect for new opportunities expanding existing distribution business. Increase end-user engagement to the next level.
Key Responsibilities Include
- You show a passion for food and chocolate in particular. This passion makes you go the extra mile, for Barry Callebaut and for your customers.
- Proactively set sales targets and negotiate with the distributor, develop market strategies together and align with the distributors
- Manage overall distribution business by setting goals and targets and measuring key performance indicators through the joint business plan for key distributors.
- Manage, progress, and improve business plans. Plan and review commercial programs with the key distributors on regular basis. Prioritize and schedule own activities and ensure constant follow-up on commercial goals and achievements in order to meet and exceed sales and margin targets.
- Monitor sales data, measure secondary sales data, and follow up with relevant programs; incentives, sales promotions, and wholesalers’ support.
- Develop and build positive working relationships with key stakeholders not only distributors but also indirect/direct artisans, and recognize and communicate with key decision-makers.
- Be strategic on market development; co-develop indirect customers of new channels with distributors, proactively search for new opportunities, leverage distributors’ salesforce to track customer activities, and manage opportunity pipelines.
- Share sales leads, customer feedback, critical trends and evolutions, and information on competitor activity to appropriate contacts within the organization so that relevant departments can respond to changing market conditions and customer demands and take action based on this
- Develop a strong network of contacts within BC - Marketing, Sourcing, Finance, Product development, and Supply Chain - in order to support day-to-day business and prevent issues for the customer
- Keep up to date with current market trends and customer needs and provide relevant training and technical support
- Manage product portfolio and launch new products and innovations to the market with close cooperation with local marketing.
- Lead and cooperate commercial plan together with local marketing in pull and push, end-user engagement; understand end-users and plan relevant services; technical support, collaborations, associations
- Actively use and plan the technical aspects of the organization’s academy, products, and services; technical support, marketing campaigns, and sales promotions; and sales techniques, procedures, and standards to achieve sales targets.
- Provide the forecast by assessing market demand, current orders, stocks, and sell-outs and lead the discussion with the supply chain
About You
- You obtained a Master's degree – a technical or marketing background is a plus
- 5+ years of work experience in sales B-to-B preferred in the distribution market
- Knowledge of the Chocolate/Gourmet industry is a plus
- Experience in analyzing market information, forecasting sales opportunities, and business growth
- Distribution management, sales, and marketing experience are preferred
- Our preferred candidate is a creative, enthusiastic, problem solver, hands-on type with strong stakeholder management and communication skills with an analytical mindset who is also eager to learn & who takes ownership of his business.
- You are fluent in Dutch/French
Job Segment:
Supply Chain Manager, Supply Chain, Marketing Manager, Distribution, Operations, Bilingual, Marketing