Area Sales Manager

Job Description: Area Sales Manager (Chennai and Adjoining Regions)

Company Overview

Our company is a prominent footwear trading firm headquartered in Kozhikode, Kerala. We specialize in sourcing, distributing, and retailing a diverse portfolio of footwear products, including casual wear, formal shoes, athletic footwear, and ethnic styles from reputable domestic and international brands. Committed to quality, affordability, and customer-centric innovation, we cater to wholesalers, retailers, and online platforms across India. Our goal is to expand our market presence while upholding sustainable sourcing and supply chain practices. As part of our growth strategy in South India, we are looking for an energetic Area Sales Manager to spearhead sales efforts in Chennai and its adjoining regions, contributing to our regional expansion beyond Kerala.

Job Summary

The Area Sales Manager will be accountable for driving sales and distribution in Chennai and adjoining regions (including areas such as Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and parts of northern Tamil Nadu). Reporting to the State Regional Sales Manager or Head of Sales at our Kozhikode headquarters, this role focuses on achieving sales targets, managing local distributors and retailers, and executing targeted marketing initiatives. The successful candidate will be a hands-on sales professional with experience in the footwear or FMCG sector, skilled in territory management and relationship building in competitive urban and semi-urban markets.

This full-time position is based in Chennai, with regular travel to adjoining areas and occasional visits to the Kozhikode head office.

Key Responsibilities

Territory Sales Planning: Develop and implement area-specific sales strategies to meet quarterly and annual targets for Chennai and adjoining regions.

Monitor market dynamics, including competitor pricing, consumer trends in footwear, and seasonal demands, to refine approaches and capitalize on opportunities.

Distributor and Retailer Management: Identify, recruit, and nurture relationships with distributors, wholesalers, and retail outlets in the assigned territory.

Negotiate deals, manage credit terms, and ensure timely order fulfillment to maintain strong partnerships and minimize stockouts.

Sales Operations: Oversee daily sales activities, including prospecting new clients, conducting product demonstrations, and closing deals.

Utilize CRM systems to track leads, sales pipelines, and inventory levels, ensuring accurate forecasting and reporting.

Customer Engagement: Foster lasting relationships with key accounts, such as large retail stores and chain outlets in Chennai.

Handle customer complaints, gather market feedback on footwear preferences (e.g., size availability, material quality),and recommend product assortments tailored to

regional tastes.

Market Analysis and Reporting: Perform on-ground market research to assess demand for various footwear categories.

Prepare weekly and monthly reports on sales metrics, challenges, and achievements for submission to the Kozhikode head office, using tools like Excel for data visualization.

Promotions and Branding: Coordinate local promotional events, in-store displays, and trade fairs to boost brand visibility.

Collaborate with the marketing team on campaigns, such as discounts during festivals like Pongal or Diwali, to drive volume sales.

Budget and Resource Control: Manage the area budget for travel, incentives, and promotional expenses.

Optimize costs while ensuring efficient use of resources, including company-provided vehicles or reimbursements for fieldwork.

Compliance and Risk Handling: Adhere to company guidelines, local regulations, and ethical standards in all sales dealings.

Address risks such as payment delays or counterfeit products by implementing monitoring protocols.

Travel and Field Presence: Travel frequently (up to 70% of the time) within Chennai and adjoining regions for client visits, market surveys, and team support.

Occasionally travel to Kozhikode for strategy meetings or training.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field. A diploma or certification in Sales Management is a plus.

Experience: 5-8 years in sales, with at least 2-3 years in a supervisory role within the footwear, apparel, or FMCG trading industry. Prior experience in Tamil Nadu markets, particularly Chennai, is preferred.

Skills:

Proven ability in territory sales management and achieving targets in urban settings.

Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with fluency in English, Tamil, and Hindi (Malayalam is an advantage for head office coordination).

Proficiency in sales analytics tools (MS Excel) and basic digital platforms for order tracking.

Problem-solving aptitude to handle field challenges like logistics delays or competitive pressures.

Customer-focused mindset with skills in objection handling and relationship building.

Knowledge of e-commerce integration for hybrid sales models.

Personal Attributes: Proactive, target-oriented, and adaptable to fast-changing market conditions. High energy, integrity, and enthusiasm for the footwear sector.

Other Requirements: Valid driver's license and own vehicle (reimbursement provided). Comfortable with extensive local travel and flexible working hours.

Compensation and Benefits

Attractive salary package, commensurate with experience, plus performance-linked bonuses, commissions, and incentives.

Benefits include medical insurance, provident fund contributions, paid leaves, and allowances for travel and mobile expenses.

Professional growth opportunities, such as skill development workshops and potential promotion to regional roles.

Company-provided tools like a laptop, SIM card, and access to sales software.

Location

Primarily based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, with fieldwork in adjoining regions. Occasional travel to the head office in Kozhikode, Kerala.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: ₹20,000.00 - ₹40,000.00 per month

Benefits:

• Cell phone reimbursement
• Paid time off

Work Location: Remote

Expected Start Date: 01/09/2025