The Key Account Manager – SPAR is responsible for managing and developing the SPAR customer portfolio within the Red Bull South Africa (RBZA) business, driving sustainable growth across sales, volume, market share and profitability.The successful candidate will demonstrate strong entrepreneurial qualities, a proactive mindset and the ability to identify and capitalise on commercial opportunities across SPAR’s diverse retail environment, including national structures, regional distribution centres, franchise groups and individual stores.They must be a self-starter who takes ownership of the account, builds strong customer partnerships and consistently challenges the status quo to unlock new opportunities for growth. The individual must be able to navigate a complex customer organisation, balance national and regional priorities, and translate strategic plans into effective in-store execution.
Strategy
Commercial Strategy Implementation: Lead the implementation of Red Bull’s commercial strategy within SPAR, ensuring alignment with national sales objectives while adapting execution to SPAR’s unique operating structure, regional distribution centres, franchise groups and independent retailers.
Customer Strategy Development: Develop and execute medium- to long-term customer strategies aligned with Red Bull’s national sales policy and SPAR’s business priorities, with a strong focus on innovation, regional growth opportunities, franchise partnerships and sustainable sales drivers.
Pricing Strategy: Implement pricing strategies in line with company mandates, ensuring competitive consumer pricing, sustainable margins and alignment with Red Bull’s commercial objectives and SPAR’s pricing strategy.
Execution Excellence
Translate commercial strategies into effective in-market execution by working closely with regional teams, distribution centres, franchise groups, store owners and Red Bull field teams to drive availability, visibility, cold availability, distribution and promotional compliance.
Promotional Planning & Execution
Develop and implement a promotional plan aligned with the national promotional grid that drives market share, category growth and incremental sales while protecting channel profitability and maximising return on investment.
Franchise Groups Strategy
Identify and leverage opportunities through localised regional plans, franchise group partnerships and tailored customer initiatives to strengthen Red Bull’s presence and unlock incremental growth across the SPAR network.
Innovation and Business Development
Proactively identify new business opportunities, innovative promotional mechanics, distribution opportunities and customer initiatives that strengthen Red Bull’s competitive position and deliver long-term, profitable growth within SPAR
Joint Business Planning
Collaborate with SPAR stakeholders to develop joint business plans that align customer and Red Bull objectives, establish clear growth priorities and translate strategic ambitions into measurable commercial outcomes.
A proven track record of 2-3 years professional experience as a Key Account Manager.
Managing and controlling budgets, including investment and optimizing investment buckets.
Cross-functional experience in Trade Marketing/Consumer Marketing/Field Sales is a plus (not mandatory).
Network of existing contacts and trade relationships an advantage.
Commercial acumen -- strong understanding of sales processes and financial systems. Strategic and innovative commercial awareness. Ideally can work with SAP/BI to plan and track sales results.
Analytical skills -- strong planning and negotiation skills with a sound understanding of financial bottom line implications of sales and marketing decisions. Able to analyse sales and customer data, take the best conclusion, develop initiatives with the highest value for the shopper, customer and Red Bull.
Negotiation experience -- successful front line retail negotiation experience and problem-solving skills.
Presentation skills -- demonstrate great presentation skills that provide highly relevant and commercially viable strategies/processes in a clear, concise and empowering way.
University Degree, preferably Economics/Business Administration.
Fluency in English (verbal & written)
Other languages are an advantage.
This job description is not exhaustive of the potential duties that the successful applicant will be required to perform, and is provided solely to assist potential job applicants in determining their suitability for the role and to apply for the job. It is not an offer of employment and Red Bull is under no obligation to hire an applicant who submits an application.