Manager -Commerial IT

This role is the primary technology ownership layer for FMCG commercial systems specifically the platforms and integrations that power distributor management, field force execution, channel intelligence, and commercial reporting. The Manager, Commercial IT sits at the intersection of business and technology: translating commercial strategy into system requirements, managing platform vendors and implementation partners, and ensuring that the DMS, SFA, IR, and CTS stack operates as an integrated, reliable, insight-generating engine not a collection of disconnected tools.

The role demands deep domain fluency in FMCG go-to-market operations, strong stakeholder management across Sales, Trade Marketing, and Finance, and the technical rigour to hold vendors accountable to architecture standards, data quality commitments, and integration SLAs.

Role & responsibilities

1. Distributor Management System (DMS)

• Own the end-to-end DMS platform lifecycle configuration, enhancements, integrations with SAP/ERP, and distributor onboarding workflows
• Manage secondary sales visibility: ensure claim processing, scheme settlement, and stock ledger data flows are accurate, timely, and auditable
• Drive distributor adoption metrics active login rates, transaction compliance, claims TAT in partnership with the Sales Operations team
• Lead DMS vendor governance: SLA adherence, release management, issue escalation, and contract renewal inputs
• Define and enforce data quality standards for distributor master data, channel hierarchy, and beat structures

2. Sales Force Automation (SFA)

• Own the SFA platform covering field force productivity: PJP adherence, outlet coverage, order capture, scheme execution, and in-store asset tracking
• Drive SFA configuration for new geographies, channels, and route-to-market models in coordination with Sales Planning
• Manage mobile application rollout, device management policies, and field-level user support frameworks
• Build reporting layers on top of SFA telemetry to surface rep productivity, coverage effectiveness, and scheme compliance to Sales leadership
• Ensure DMS-SFA data synchronisation integrity — secondary billing alignment, outlet universe reconciliation, and beat-to-distributor mapping accuracy

3. Image recognition (IR)

• Own the Image recognition architecture: for secondary sales execution in the market,
• Define data models that consolidate inputs from DMS, SFA, SAP, and market intelligence sources.

4. Cooler Tracking System (CTS)

• Own the technology stack supporting cooler tracking system for all coolers in the market place.

5. Programme & Vendor Management

• Manage external implementation and support partners across DMS, SFA, and CTS platforms; govern SOW adherence, change request processes, and delivery quality
• Drive cross-platform integration architecture in coordination with the Enterprise Architecture team — ensuring DMS, SFA, SAP, and reporting layers share clean, governed data contracts
• Build and maintain the commercial IT programme roadmap; translate business priorities into quarterly release plans with clear dependency mapping
• Own the commercial IT budget tracker for OpEx (support contracts, licensing) and CapEx (enhancement projects)

Preferred candidate profile

• 6–10 years of experience in Commercial IT, Sales Technology, or FMCG Digital roles with direct ownership of DMS and/or SFA platforms
• Hands-on experience with at least one leading DMS platform (Botree, Bizom, Salescode, StockOne, or equivalent) — configuration, integrations, and vendor management
• Demonstrated experience managing SFA deployments at scale — multi-geography, multi-channel, 500+ field force user base
• Strong understanding of FMCG secondary sales operations: distributor claims, scheme management, beat planning, outlet universe management
• Proficiency in BI and reporting tools (Power BI preferred); ability to define data models and govern reporting architecture
• Experience integrating DMS/SFA with SAP SD/MM or equivalent ERP — data flows, master data governance, and reconciliation frameworks
• Track record of managing external vendors and system integrators — SOW governance, SLA management, escalation handling

Preferred Experience

• Exposure to Trade Promotion Management (TPM) platforms or promotion analytics tools
• Experience with modern trade / e-commerce channel integrations — retailer portals, VMI feeds, or marketplace seller platforms
• Familiarity with loyalty platform architecture or outlet digitization programmes
• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Business, Information Systems, or Engineering
• Exposure to agile delivery frameworks in a commercial technology context