Sales Manager

Overview

In this new role we are seeking an influential and collaborative business development leader with experience guiding marketing investment to drive revenue growth and operational excellence of our brands across Asia regions. Your global perspective will support your success in leading strategic initiatives in collaboration with our marketing distributor (MD) partners to expand product distribution, develop key accounts, and implement sales and marketing plans. With a focus on operational excellence and collaboration, you'll have the opportunity to make a significant impact of success across the Asia region.

This role is based in Selangor and requires 50-60% travel.

Why Apply?

• Strategic Impact: Join a team where your strategic acumen will be valued and leveraged to drive ambitious growth targets, aligning with our company's objectives.
• Leadership Opportunity: Independent leadership in a pivotal role to shape the success of our multinational operations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage in cross-functional collaboration with diverse domestic and international teams, providing you with exposure to various aspects of business operations.
• Global Reach: You will play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and success in the competitive global market, expanding your international experience and perspective along the way.
• Supportive Environment: Be part of a supportive and collaborative work environment where your contributions are valued, and your ideas are encouraged. This role is suitable for someone looking to learn and grow rather than all the answers.

Responsibilities

As the Sales Manager Asia, your primary responsibility will be to drive revenue and EBITDA growth in collaboration with our marketing distributors (MDs) by strategically allocating resources to expand product/SKU/NPD distribution, in alignment with our Strategic Growth Drivers. You will be responsible for providing commercial direction and coaching of MDs in the identification of new business development opportunities, new product development, development of Channel Plans, key account management, periodic business review, development of MD sales teams and evaluation and development of 12-month sales and marketing strategies/plans to achieve goals.

Marketing  

• Oversee the development of distributor Annual Marketing Plans ensuring the plan is relevant to each market’s stage of development and within corporate policy and brand guidelines.   
• Provides direction to and solicits inputs from MD and marketing team in the alignment of plans and resource allocation.   
• In cooperation with Marketing Distributors and internal marketing team, increase end-user brand awareness through specific awareness programs (POP, POS, collateral, digital, etc.) and expand distribution. 
• Oversee the implementation of agreed country-specific marketing plans by conducting regular market surveys/visits in partnership with the MD team to ensure execution of plan is on time and in full (OTIF). 

Sales  

• Partner with MD in the development of annual P&L.  
• Develop and maintain close working relations with MD’s management, sales and support staff. Provide appropriate coaching, training and motivation to enhance the productivity and skills of the MD team. 
• Partner with MD to identify and develop customer, channel and geographical growth plans and programs.
• Provide MD with key account management support.  
• Apply a broad base of product knowledge (features and benefits) to create and deliver solution driven values selling presentations and propositions to the MDs.  Effectively present product knowledge, programs, promotions, sales literature, technical information, company values etc. in a concise, coherent, consultative and convincing manner.   
• Identify and coordinate new product introduction from the Company’s portfolio in markets where relevant opportunities exist.  
• Review and prepare the MD annual contract for General Manager sign-off.

Planning & Reporting  

• Closely manage MD forecast, taking into consideration inventory and supply chain architecture. 
• Monitor local sales and stock holding trends using Marketing Distributors Monthly Reports and WD-40 Company’s internal data.  Subsequently review, amend and maintain Monthly Order Forecasts, ensuring that forecasts optimizes resource allocation, EBITDA and revenue attainment.  
• Provide on time and complete monthly and quarterly reporting.  

In addition to the aforementioned responsibilities, you may also oversee contract management and coordinate concentrate sales to identified licensing customers. You will collaborate closely with the Regional Director and/or brand/IP enforcement partners, facilitating data gathering and resolution of legal and intellectual property (IPR) matters. Furthermore, you will play a pivotal role in conducting initial due diligence, selecting, and evaluating new country Distributors in accordance with the Asia MD selection process, thereafter providing recommendations to the Regional Director and Asia Pac Management.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of identifying, closing, and managing International Key Accounts and successful management experience overseeing Marketing Distributors.
• Langauge skills: English, Mandarin would be preferable. 
• Demonstrating a record of achieving ambitious growth targets through organic strategies and the introduction of new products.
• Skilled in developing and managing international sales & marketing plans through a distributor model, and effectively identifying, managing, and growing key accounts in the Industrial/Hardware, Automotive, and/or HTO Trade Channels.
• Advanced knowledge of plan-o-gram design, execution, and review while developing and maintaining deep expertise in the industrial, automotive, and hardware channels. This includes a comprehensive understanding of key customer contacts, marketing strategies, distribution, and go-to-market promotional programs.

• Ability to independently identify and lead new customer development in partnership with MD across trade channels, while evaluating the marketplace to develop actionable growth solutions and new product ideas within margin guidelines. Utilize CPG marketing principles, including the four P's, to optimize promotional programs and enhance brand performance.

• Expert territory knowledge of customer base, unique market drivers, and consumer behaviors/insights in order to provide qualitative and quantitative reports on territory performance, planning, challenges, solutions, etc.
• Possess broad knowledge of international trading terms and micro and macro politics for business management and risk mitigation, and basic knowledge of intellectual property enforcement methods and reporting.
• Proficiency in navigating multiple FMCG/CPG trade channels, internal department procedures, general organization and reporting structure, product lines, distribution channels, and marketing program development.
• Demonstrated managerial and leadership skills within a multinational corporation at national or regional level, and advanced interpersonal communication abilities for relationship management, conflict resolution, and interaction across all levels internally and externally.

• Ability to partner with internal supply chain and MDs for accurate and cost effective inventory management and forecasting.
• Showcase strong Company and technical product knowledge for presenting to and training others.
• Proficient in mathematical skills for various tasks including forecasting, margin analysis, P&L development, audit, trend analysis, research, and data summarization using spreadsheets, charts, and reports.

• A Bachelor’s degree in business or related subjects is required, and a Master’s in business or marketing are desired but not required.

About Us

Do You Align With Our Values?

Please, only consider employment with WD-40 Company if you feel as strongly about our values as we do: We live, breathe, and play by our values every day.

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At WD-40 Company we foster a culture of inclusion where all individuals are recognized, valued, respected, and experience a sense of belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to individual characteristics that make us unique such as our backgrounds, experiences, qualities, talents, traits, beliefs, and preferences.  #LI-KB1

Thank you for considering WD-40 Company in your career search!