We have been engaged to identify a Regional Export Strategy Manager for West Africa to drive the market expansion of our client, a leading Japanese FMCG brand with a global footprint across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.

With decades of market-leading innovation and high-quality consumer products, the company continues to expand its reach and solidify its presence in diverse markets worldwide.

As a global organisation committed to driving sustainable growth and increasing its market share, the company seeks a dynamic and results-driven Export Strategy Manager to join their team and contribute significantly to their corporate objectives.

The Export Strategy Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the sales strategy for our client’s expanding portfolio of FMCG products across West African countries and will be based  in Nigeria. This high-impact role will require a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the FMCG landscape, including market trends, consumer behaviour, competitive dynamics, and effective sales strategies.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with regional teams in Nigeria, drive business growth, optimise sales processes, and ensure seamless execution of the company’s sales goals and objectives. This role requires cross-functional coordination, market intelligence, and a deep understanding of the complexities of managing sales at a local and regional level.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Strategy Development & Execution:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive West African regional sales strategy for the brand’s portfolio, tailored to specific regional and local market dynamics.
• Align sales strategies with global and regional business objectives, ensuring consistency across all markets
• Lead the execution of the sales strategy, ensuring robust sales performance in alignment with company goals and targets.
• Drive innovation in sales approaches by utilising data-driven insights and market research to adapt to changing consumer needs.

Market & Consumer Insights:

• Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify emerging trends, new consumer behaviours’, and competitive threats.
• Leverage consumer insights to influence product positioning, pricing strategies, and promotional activities.
• Identify growth opportunities and market gaps in key regions, providing recommendations to enhance brand presence and market share.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Collaborate closely with the marketing, supply chain, and product development teams to ensure sales strategies are effectively integrated across functions.
• Lead coordination efforts in export team to ensure best practices and consistent execution of strategies.
• Provide support to distributors with training, guidance, and resources to drive success in the field.

Sales Performance Management & Optimisation:

• Establish sales KPIs and metrics to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of sales strategies.
• Implement continuous improvement processes for sales operations, ensuring that performance goals are met or exceeded.
• Track and analyze sales data to identify areas for optimization and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Drive the implementation of new sales tools, technologies, and processes to streamline sales efforts and increase productivity.
• Relationship Management:
• Build and nurture strong relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders in the region.
• Ensure that all customer interactions are aligned with the brand’s values and long-term goals.
• Drive joint business planning with key retail partners to expand the company’s footprint in West African markets.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop sales teams in distributors to execute against the sales vision, cooperating with Senior Export manager.
• Provide strategic direction and support to the sales teams and in distributors, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and culture.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture across the sales function.
• Budgeting and Financial Management:
• Lead the sales budgeting process, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet strategic goals.
• Track and manage sales expenses to ensure efficient use of resources and return on investment (ROI).
• Provide regular reporting on sales performance, forecasts, and strategic initiatives to senior management.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, or a related field; MBA or other advanced degrees are a plus.
• 3- 5 years of experience in sales strategy, business development, or strategic management in the FMCG industry, with significant exposure to international/West African markets.
• Proven track record in developing and executing sales strategies across multiple countries
• Strong knowledge of the FMCG industry dynamics, including supply chain, channel sales, distribution, retail trends, and consumer behaviour.
• Experience managing or cooperating with cross-functional teams and working with senior leadership to drive sales growth.

• Skills & Competencies:
  • Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to manage complex, multi-regional projects with diverse stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
  • Deep knowledge of digital tools and technologies to optimize sales performance.
  • Proven leadership abilities, with experience managing and motivating high-performing teams.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage competing priorities.
  • Fluent in English; proficiency in French is highly desirable.

Key Personal Attributes:

• Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and cultures across regional markets.
• Results-oriented: A strong track record of delivering results through innovative strategies and collaborative teamwork.
• Adaptability: Ability to navigate the complexities of a fast-changing, multinational environment.
• Visionary Leadership: A forward-thinking approach to sales growth, with an eye on long-term market expansion and brand positioning.
• Integrity & Commitment: A professional who embodies ethical standards and a commitment to the company’s values and goals.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of a leading Japanese FMCG brand with a global reach. You will have the chance to work in a dynamic, multinational environment, collaborating with top professionals from different regions. If you are passionate about driving strategic growth and innovation in the FMCG industry, we would love to hear from you!