Sales Manager

In this role you are responsible for shaping and executing the commercial strategy for Vlisco Netherlands' sales channels ensuring alignment with the Vlisco brand vision.

We are looking for a senior sales manager who drives sales growth through crafting effective product assortment and channel strategies and expanding the brand into new segments and geographies in coordination with African regions. You are a key member of the Sales & Marketing leadership team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy

Developing and executing the commercial strategy for Vlisco Netherlands' sales channels, ensuring alignment with the integrated Vlisco brand and Group strategy, as approved by the CCO. You will translate this strategy into tailored channel strategies and Joint Business Plans: actively contributing to the integrated Vlisco brand strategy by providing valuable input across branding, product, marketing, HR, finance, and IT, ensuring a cohesive and strategic approach across all functions.

Business, sales & operational planning

• Defining and executing the annual commercial plan. This includes setting revenue and cost forecasts and targets that align with the integrated Group strategy;
• Focusing on portfolio and channel volumes, value chains, and other key business objectives to drive success across all sales channels.

Sales Management

• Ensuring successful sell-in and sell-through to pre-agreed trading partners, while coordinating effectively with other routes to market;
• Managing the product assortment and logistics;
• Ensuring effective order handling, processing, and status tracking.

Brand Development

• Stimulating the anticipation of business opportunities and continuously optimizing the customer value proposition;
• Ensuring that insights in the business, channels and customer requirements align with the overall strategy and annual business plans.

Trade Marketing

• Collaborating closely with the Marketing team to develop effective trade marketing programs and tools for sales channels;
• Strengthening the product portfolio and optimizing the alignment of B2B sales activities.

Key Account Management/Collaboration partners

• Building and maintaining personal relationships with key accounts, ensuring alignment with annual account plans to optimize customer relations and business opportunities;
• Defining and managing customized CVPs and Joint Business Plans for each key account;
• Delivering the CVPs and Joint Business Plans according to set call and activity plans;
• Ensuring the achievement of sales objectives, key account targets, and goals.

Process Management

Planning and conducting visits with key accounts to evaluate customer service quality.

Business & functional improvement

• Participating in multidisciplinary project teams to address business process and operational improvements, ensuring alignment with the integrated commercial strategy and annual plans;
• Optimizing functional and operational performance, contributing directly to the financial success of the sales department.

Customer care service

Addressing and resolving distributor complaints efficiently and promptly.

Budget planning and control

• Developing and setting up internal and external processes;
• Strategically planning, approving, and monitoring the department’s revenue, cost, and capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets, ensuring alignment with corporate guidelines;
• Ensuring clear and accurate reporting to monitor performance, helping business units meet their financial goals and support the organization’s overall success.

Human Resource Management

Lead and develop the sales team so that it is equipped for current and future business challenges and contribute to the optimisation of the wholesale organization results.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• More than 10 years of experience in sales, of which partly as a sales leader;
• Experience in developing strategic plans, particularly focused on new business opportunities;
• You are fluent in English, Proficiency in French and Dutch is an advantage;
• Forward-thinking attitude, result oriented, people and customer focused;
• Knowledge and understanding of the African context is a plus;
• More than 5 years proven track record of growing business.