Role Summary:

The Zonal Sales Manager is responsible for driving business growth and market share across the assigned zone by strengthening the sales ecosystem, ensuring execution excellence, managing people performance, and maintaining strong market connect. The role involves strategic planning as well as hands-on field leadership to achieve sales objectives while protecting the company's business interests and reputation.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales & Business Objectives:

- Drive zonal sales targets by identifying and implementing key initiatives related to market development, distribution expansion, and sales operations.

- Monitor sales trends and identify risks that may impact business performance or company reputation.

- Take timely corrective and preventive actions, including escalation wherever required.

Sales Ecosystem & Distribution Management:

- Develop and strengthen the overall sales ecosystem including distribution infrastructure and manpower planning.

- Ensure effective distributor coverage, SS deployment where required, and execution of town-wise SLAs with key distributors.

- Work closely with distributors to improve availability, visibility, and market penetration.

Field Hygiene & Sales Operations:

- Ensure robust tracking of secondary sales and effective planning and execution of primary sales.

- Drive follow-ups with ASMs on secondary, primary, and optimal closing stock ratio maintenance.

- Monitor competitor activities, field stock movement, and trade promotion implementation.

- Collect market feedback and take actions to improve sales force efficiency and field execution standards.

People Management & Leadership Development:

- Ensure timely recruitment, retention, and deployment of the right quality manpower.

- Manage SO and ASM attrition through engagement, coaching, mentoring, and performance management.

- Identify performance gaps and build a strong leadership pipeline.

New Product Launch & Market Activation:

- Lead new product launches by breaking down launch objectives into clear, executable plans.

- Drive launch execution through active field involvement and cross-functional coordination.

Data Management & Reporting:

- Ensure accuracy, discipline, and timely availability of sales and operational data.

- Analyze data to support planning, performance tracking, and informed decision-making.

Stakeholder & Market Connect:

- Engage with key distributors, trade partners, and internal stakeholders.

- Conduct regular field visits to stay connected with markets and teams.

Educational Qualification & Experience:

- MBA from a reputable management institute

- Minimum 6+ years of experience in FMCG sales with an established organization

- Beverage industry experience preferred

- Proven experience in managing large teams and multi-market operations

The candidate must currently be handling the Bangalore/Karnataka region.