Sales and Distribution Manage

COMPANY: A Leading Water Bottling CompanyPOSITION: Sales & Distribution ManagerLOCATION: Negombo, Sri Lanka (On-Site)OVERVIEW A leading spring water bottling company in Sri Lanka is seeking a highly skilled Sales & Distribution Manager to oversee nationwide sales operations and distribution networks. This strategic leadership role focuses on driving revenue, strengthening market presence, developing channel partnerships, and ensuring efficient product delivery across the country. The ideal professional will have strong expertise in FMCG or beverage sector sales and distribution management.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESSales ManagementDevelop and implement comprehensive business plans and sales strategies to achieve revenue goals and market expansion.Lead and manage a team of sales representatives and distribution agents.Focus on acquiring and growing accounts within the HORESCA sector (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafés) in the Western and Southern coastal regions, along with supermarket chains.Conduct continuous market analysis to understand trends, competitor positioning, and pricing opportunities.Prepare sales forecasts, budgets, dashboards, and performance reports for senior management and the Board of Directors.Distribution OperationsOversee end-to-end distribution functions, including logistics, warehousing, and delivery operations.Optimize routes, vehicle utilization, and delivery schedules to reduce cost and improve service efficiency.Maintain strong relationships with logistics partners and ensure adherence to delivery SLAs.Implement tracking and monitoring systems to ensure real-time visibility of inventory and deliveries.Team Leadership & Business DevelopmentRecruit, train, coach, and motivate high-performing sales teams and distribution agents.Set measurable performance KPIs and conduct regular performance evaluations.Negotiate contracts, pricing agreements, and partnerships with key accounts.Work closely with the marketing team on promotions, product visibility, and brand activation.Represent the company at trade fairs, industry exhibitions, and business networking events.QUALIFICATIONS EducationBachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.Professional qualifications such as CIM, SLIM, or equivalent marketing/sales certifications will be an added advantage.ExperienceMinimum 5+ years of progressive experience in sales and distribution management.At least 2+ years of experience in the beverage, FMCG, or food & beverage manufacturing sector.Candidates with experience in competing water bottling companies will have an advantage.Proven record of meeting or surpassing sales targets.Experience in managing distribution networks and geographically dispersed sales teams.Skills & CompetenciesStrong leadership and people management skills.Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.In-depth understanding of supply chain logistics and distribution operations.Strong analytical, reporting, and presentation capabilities.Ability to thrive in a dynamic, performance-driven environment.Personal AttributesCustomer-focused with a strong commitment to service excellence.Adaptable, resilient, and proactive in rapidly changing market conditions.High personal integrity, professionalism, and business ethics.Collaborative mindset with strong cross-functional coordination.Self-driven, organized, and highly effective in time management.Success MetricsAchievement of monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets.Growth of market share and expansion of customer base.Enhanced efficiency and cost optimization within the distribution network.Customer satisfaction and retention performance.Team capability enhancement and productivity.New account acquisition and revenue growth.Delivery accuracy and timeliness.COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSAttractive and negotiable, aligned with qualifications and industry experience.