Sales Manager

About the Company

Jean Edwards Oils Ltd produces oils. We start with groundnut oil, control the product from the raw material to the filtered oil, and are scaling production fast, with more oil products to follow. We are now building the brand that takes our oils to Nigerian kitchens, with a retail range being prepared for launch.

We need someone to own the route to market: the person who gets our oils from the factory to the distributor, onto the shelf and into the basket.

About the Role

This is a ground-floor opportunity. You will build our distributor network from scratch, win listings with large and small retail outlets, and turn a new oil brand into a name the market asks for, starting with groundnut oil and extending to the oil products we launch next. You will report to the Head of Operations and work directly with Operations and Finance, so what you sell is what we can supply.

What you will do

• Build the route to market. Identify, appoint and manage distributors, sub-distributors and wholesalers across Nigeria's key regions, with clear territories, targets and terms.
• Develop and execute the sales strategy. Set the plan to achieve revenue and growth targets across our oil products, and acquire new customers and B2B clients.
• Win the shelf. Secure listings and visibility in supermarkets and retail chains, and in provision stores, wholesalers and open-market outlets, and keep our product on the shelf.
• Own the numbers. Set and deliver monthly targets for volume, revenue and outlet coverage. Run a disciplined pipeline and give management accurate forecasts.
• Plan and run the launch. Define the retail pricing, trade margins, promotions and in-store activation that win against established edible oil brands.
• Manage key accounts. Negotiate commercial terms, protect margin, and keep credit and collections under control.
• Read the market. Monitor sales performance, competitor activity, pricing and trade trends, and report to management with sales forecasts, pipeline reports and performance updates.
• Open new markets. Identify new markets, channels and opportunities, including routes for the new oil products we add to the range.
• Keep supply and sales aligned. Work with Production, Operations and Finance on forecasts, timely order fulfilment, delivery and customer payments.
• Sell in bulk until we launch. Support sales of crude oil and cake to wholesale buyers in the period before the retail range launches.
• Build the team. Recruit and lead sales representatives and merchandisers as the business grows.

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' relevant sales experience, preferably in a sales leadership role. We expect 5 to 6 years or more in FMCG, with a track record of building and managing distributor networks.
• Strong preference for FMCG, agro-allied, agricultural processing, edible oils or manufacturing experience.
• A track record of meeting and exceeding sales targets and acquiring new customers and distributors. Bring numbers.
• Experience in B2B sales, distributor management and commercial negotiations, across modern trade (supermarkets, chains) and traditional trade (wholesalers, markets, small outlets).
• Strong communication, analytical, negotiation and relationship management skills, and the confidence to close terms with distributors and retail buyers.
• Knowledge of the Nigerian market and how products move through it, and experience with CRM or sales reporting tools. Willing to travel regularly.

Strong advantages: edible oil, food staples or other high-volume consumer goods experience; launching a new brand or product into the Nigerian market; leading a sales team; and familiarity with NAFDAC requirements.

The Person

• Aggressive and results-oriented. You are hungry for targets and push every deal to close.
• Commercially minded. You know how distributors think, how outlets buy and where the margin sits, with strong business development and negotiation skills.
• A relationship builder. You build strategic relationships and spot new market opportunities before others do.
• A builder. You are happy to create the playbook, not wait for one.
• Resilient and persistent. You keep going until the product is on the shelf.
• Reliable and honest. High integrity, initiative and accountability for your results.

Why Join Us

• Build the sales function of a growing oils company from the ground up.
• Sell products we make ourselves, with direct access to the Head of Operations and quick decisions.
• Shape the brand, the distributor network and the team as we move from bulk sales to retail and widen the range.
• Competitive remuneration, to be discussed with shortlisted candidates.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Pay: ₦400,000.00 - ₦500,000.00 per month

Work Location: Hybrid remote in 904101 Abuja