Key Account Manager | Spar

The Key Account Manager – SPAR manages and develops the SPAR customer portfolio within Red Bull South Africa, driving sustainable growth across sales, volume, market share and profitability. The role operates across SPAR's diverse retail environment, including national structures, regional distribution centres, franchise groups and individual stores. It involves translating commercial strategy into in-market execution through close work with regional teams, distribution centres, franchise groups, store owners and Red Bull field teams.

• Lead the implementation of Red Bull's commercial strategy within SPAR, aligning with national sales objectives while adapting execution to SPAR's operating structure, regional distribution centres, franchise groups and independent retailers.
• Develop and execute medium- to long-term customer strategies aligned with Red Bull's national sales policy and SPAR's business priorities, focusing on innovation, regional growth opportunities, franchise partnerships and sustainable sales drivers.
• Implement pricing strategies in line with company mandates, ensuring competitive consumer pricing, sustainable margins and alignment with Red Bull's commercial objectives and SPAR's pricing strategy.
• Translate commercial strategies into effective in-market execution by working with regional teams, distribution centres, franchise groups, store owners and Red Bull field teams to drive availability, visibility, cold availability, distribution and promotional compliance.
• Develop and implement a promotional plan aligned with the national promotional grid to drive market share, category growth and incremental sales while protecting channel profitability and maximising return on investment.
• Identify and leverage opportunities through localised regional plans, franchise group partnerships and tailored customer initiatives to strengthen Red Bull's presence and unlock incremental growth across the SPAR network.
• Proactively identify new business opportunities, innovative promotional mechanics, distribution opportunities and customer initiatives that strengthen Red Bull's competitive position and deliver long-term, profitable growth within SPAR.
• Collaborate with SPAR stakeholders to develop joint business plans that align customer and Red Bull objectives, establish clear growth priorities and translate strategic ambitions into measurable commercial outcomes.

• Proven track record of 2–3 years' professional experience as a Key Account Manager.
• Experience managing and controlling budgets, including investment and optimising investment buckets.
• Commercial acumen: strong understanding of sales processes and financial systems, with strategic and innovative commercial awareness.
• Analytical skills: strong planning and negotiation skills with a sound understanding of the financial bottom-line implications of sales and marketing decisions
• Able to analyse sales and customer data, draw the best conclusion and develop initiatives with the highest value for the shopper, customer and Red Bull.
• Negotiation experience: successful front-line retail negotiation experience and problem-solving skills.
• Presentation skills: able to present highly relevant and commercially viable strategies or processes in a clear, concise and empowering way.
• University degree.
• Fluency in English, verbal and written.
• Strong entrepreneurial qualities, a proactive mindset and the ability to identify and capitalise on commercial opportunities across SPAR's diverse retail environment.
• Self-starter who takes ownership of the account, builds strong customer partnerships and consistently challenges the status quo to unlock new growth opportunities.
• Ability to navigate a complex customer organisation, balance national and regional priorities and translate strategic plans into effective in-store execution.

• Cross-functional experience in Trade Marketing, Consumer Marketing or Field Sales (not mandatory).
• An existing network of contacts and trade relationships.
• Ability to work with SAP/BI to plan and track sales results (ideally).
• University degree in Economics or Business Administration (preferred).
• Other languages (advantage).