Job Description

Category Specialist (ITH/ITS) (JHB) Finance/Admin ~ Media/Marketing/Sales
Johannesburg - Gauteng - South Africa
ENVIRONMENT:
GROW existing business and generate new business as the next Category Specialist sought by a leading School Supplies Provider to join its Joburg team. You will ensure that sales, margins are maximised through retail, commercial branches, contracts and tenders, market the category through regional promotions, cold calling days and blitz days pushing brand and product awareness in the marketplace while providing support to Sales staff with regards to IT Hardware & Supplies products. The successful incumbent will require 6 years IT or Sales experience, with a proven track record in exceeding targets preferably including ICT Reseller industry experience, Pricing knowledge, the ability to drive initiatives with cost, quality and time limitations and proficiency with the Axapta system.
DUTIES:
Manage Sales -

• Grow existing business and generate new business.
• Achieve regional IT Hardware & IT Supplies sales budget.
• Ensure that sales, margins are maximised through retail, commercial branches, contracts and tenders.
• Spend and invest time in the branches commercial and retail.
• Drive and develop relationships with clients new and existing.
• Identify prospects and risks and develop appropriate strategies for each client.
• Analyse (and develop) customer and portfolio non-buying reports weekly (and monthly) and react immediately.
• Analyse past and future sales trends to anticipate future business requirements.
• Increase sales and profitability of the category to drive sustainable growth.
• Liaise with Call Centre Agents and Sales Representatives.
• Work within the framework of budget turnover and gross profit.
• Regular interaction with customers and calling with sales force.
• Weekly planned visits based on six-month history report and includes calls to top accounts, non-buyers, regular buyers, new accounts, etc.

Marketing -

• Marketing the category through regional promotions, cold calling days and blitz days pushing brand and product awareness in the marketplace.
• Effectively communicate all marketing activities across all sales channels, commercial and retail to achieve best results.
• HP supplies ensure right products, at the right time, in the right place and the correct quantities.
• Manage in-store retail promotions.
• Presentation of in-store promotions (sales representatives, call centre agents, and commercial customers).
• Constant involvement in creating specials and promotions to increase product and brand awareness.
• Analyse data and insights to determine industry and consumer trends.
• Plan and execute customer events that will drive and promote the category.
• Benchmark product prices by doing market research.
• Participate in the selection of viable products for retail and commercial.
• Create and maintain market awareness of IT supplies capability.

Customer Service -

• Provide customer with stock information.
• Identify customer needs.
• Ability to negotiate and control effective and successful negotiations with customers.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding pricing.
• Resolve a range of customer queries.
• Receive incoming calls.
• Maintain ongoing customer service.

Product sourcing and product and service knowledge -

• Provide training for all staff with regards to new products, features and benefits of products.
• Create and develop a long-term plan of action and strategy for the development of the category.
• Provide support to Sales staff with regards to IT Hardware & Supplies products.
• Drive products through the relevant channels Sales Reps, retails stores and relevant business units.
• Ensure correct pricing at the right margins.

Stock Management -

• Liaise and develop strong relationships with suppliers/distributors.
• Conduct negotiations with suppliers.
• Liaise with suppliers over the return of slow moving/obsolete stock.
• Run various stock reports.
• Ensure suitable stock presence in retail stores.
• Manage and control stock movement.
• Management of markdowns and slow-moving stock.

Supplies Big Deal (SBD) -

• Management of SBDs/contracts/pricing and ensuring that they are always updated and done in a timeous manner.
• Timeous report submission to senior management on SBD related issues.
• Work with management team to ensure that Contracts / Pricing are up to date and presented to the customer timeously.
• Regular visits to SBD customers.
• Inform/Advise customers of a range of IT-S products/services available (SBD deals).
• Acknowledge customer needs by recommending alternative goods and services offered.
• Stimulate customer interest by demonstrating and explaining the benefits/end uses of a range of products/services.

Administration -

• Weekly progress reports & monthly sales reports.
• Complete necessary OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Certification training.
• Log daily calls on Skynamo device.
• Process customer orders.
• Follow-up ETAs with suppliers.
• Do new product request for buyouts.
• Administer petrol expenses occurred.
• Complete new business and lost business reports and submit to manager on monthly basis.

REQUIREMENTS:

• At least 6 years IT or Sales experience, with a proven track record in exceeding targets.
• Experience within the ICT Reseller industry will be preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Excel & PowerPoint.
• Thorough understanding of the operating environment within ICT and principles of competitive advantage.
• Understanding of employee relations.
• Pricing knowledge.
• Knowledge of Axapta system.
• Benefits and features of IT Supplies/ IT Hardware products.
• Knowledge of delivery routes and times.
• Ability to drive initiatives with cost, quality and time limitations.
• Demonstration of customer acquisition and retention initiatives.
• Selling and Customer Service skills.
• Financial, numerical and accounting skills.
• Own transport and valid Drivers License essential.

Advantageous

• Relevant Sales or Marketing qualification.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Ability to manage people effectively.
• Able to operate at strategic, tactical and operational levels.
• Planning and organising skills.
• Ability to create highly efficient processes to ensure quality and profitability.
• Highly analytical with the ability to interpret data.
• Able to champion ideas and execute in expected timeframe.
• Self-driven, results and target orientated.
• Highly computer literate with above average excel skill.
• Telephone skills.
• Communication skills.
• Ability to listen and interpret information.
• Strong mathematical ability.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Decision making skills.
• A pleasant and contolled manner of dealing with people at all times.
• An enthusiastic, outgoing person who is self-confident, with a positive attitude is desired for this position.

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