Overview
Retail Business Manager Jobs in South Africa at HMD
Title: Retail Business Manager
Company: HMD
Location: South Africa
At HMD, we are transforming the mobile industry by delivering mobile and connectivity solutions that bridge the digital divide. From feature phones to smartphones, we create family-friendly devices that empower the disadvantaged and safeguard young users, we produce devices that champion secure, European-made technology and we offer affordable, exciting alternatives to the norm in all our markets.
Since launching our first Nokia-branded devices in 2016, we’ve continually evolved our portfolio, introducing reborn classics, repairable smartphones, enterprise-ready devices, and mission-critical solutions. In 2023, we turned a new page with the introduction of HMD-branded phones. In 2024, we celebrated exciting partnerships: The Barbie Phone with Mattel, The Boring Phone with Heineken, and of course our vibrant collaboration with Barcelona FC. We launched the HMD Pulse portfolio and partnered with Xplora, bringing bold, family-friendly innovation to the forefront.
Our goal is simple: to create phones you’ll want to keep around. Phones that are tough, fun, secure, fast, and affordable delivering the whole package. With operations spanning over 40 countries and a gloriously diverse team, we’ve achieved EcoVadis Platinum status, proving our commitment to sustainability and excellence in a highly competitive marketplace.
Our Southern Africa team is looking for a Retail Business Manager who will support the interface between HMD and its Branded Retail and Distribution Channels, responsible for the sales performance in-country.
Role purpose:
- This role falls within the organizational structure and reports directly to the General Manager of Southern Africa.
- The role requires accountability and responsibility for the HMD sales and performance in South Africa with specific reference to the National Chains environment and as an off shoot of this, into the growth of the Device and Companion portfolio within this space and beyond.
- This requires the development and precise execution of local plans aligned with the strategic growth and direction of the Retail and Distribution business, as well as forging strong relationships with the key role players in these environments in South Africa.
Key Responsibilities:
- Responsible for driving sell through and sell out in assigned territory in assigned stores
- Work with Retail accounts to agree on quarterly and monthly sales plans
- Monitor daily, weekly and monthly sales, achieving monthly and quarterly sell through and sell out targets
- Ensuring stock availability across all the stores and in all assigned retail accounts as per agreed stock norm
- Collecting sellout and inventory reports from all retail accounts, and feeding it to HMD sales management system
- Prepare quarterly sales forecasts at model and account level
- Designing and running promotions to maintain and increase market share,
- Monitoring inventory levels, conducting regular stock assessments and coordinating with customers to maintain optimal stock levels.
- Implementing merchandising strategies to increase visibility and sellout . Audit stores to ensure inventory is displayed as per the planogram, Adjust layouts based on sales trends, Use visual merchandising to drive consumer behavior. Reviewing sales data to adjust the location or space allocated to products
- Track and prepare competitive landscape for all HMD products. Understand and identify the competitive advantage for HMD devices and accessories.
- Share the product portfolio Road-map with the Partners and operators. Prepare new product launch plan with partner.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Solid understanding of Sales and distribution process in organized retail and operator stores.
- Thorough understanding of Channel margins and pricing
- Experience of handling large distribution and retail accounts
- Strong negotiation skills
- The Retail Business Manager must be strong in anticipating customer needs and expectations, managing day-to-day business, and communicating customer requirements within HMD.
- Based on a solid market and customer understanding he/she designs and offers devices and services that provide value to the customer and HMD and thus influences the sell through decisions to grow the HMD business.
- Business experience in mobile tech, with relevant sales experience and product management with demonstrated success in driving global initiatives and an outstanding track record of results.
- Specific National Chains / Retail and Distributor channel experience in South Africa is an absolute must.
Qualification:
- Bachelor’s degree in business or a similar discipline is an advantage but not essential.
- Must have 10+ years of experience in Sales and a minimum of 7 years in Key Account Management, specifically for National Chains.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with requisite interpersonal skills to partner, collaborate and build relationships with our customers, and with regional teams.
- Customer focused, very responsive, and action-oriented to meet partner needs while maintaining a positive, professional image of HMD.
- Proven track record working with different Business cultures and disciplines.
The role also requires some national travel and if required limited international travel too.
At HMD there are always opportunities across the globe. We cultivate employee ownership and leadership at all levels. This is your opportunity to be part of a high performing team that evolves, learns, and has fun together. It’s about learning from, and being inspired by, colleagues who help you succeed in your current role and future career.
One thing is certain: you’ll never stand still at HMD. Join the team to maximize our company’s commercial performance by offering the customers products and solutions that support their differentiation and commercial success in this fast-growing region.