Area Sales Manager - Food Solutions

• Proven B2B Sales Experience in a multinational company selling industrial or food products, ideally within the foodservice channel.• Demonstrated success in distributor, sales force, and customer management, with a preference for experience in dairy product sales.• Analytical & Execution ExcellenceRole purposeThe Vietnam Foodservice business is a strategic growth pillar for Fonterra Brands, with ambitious targets to achieve double-digit growth in both volume and EBIT annually. This role is critical in driving revenue and profitability through the execution of our Route-to-Market (RTM) strategy, distributor development, and customer engagement.Key Accountabilities Commercial Planning – Area Level• Develop and implement RTM strategies tailored to assigned areas, ensuring alignment with AFP Foodservice objectives.• Set KPIs for the sales team and deploy strategies and tactics to meet business growth targets (topline and bottom line).Financial & RTM Execution• Deliver budgeted volume (tons), value (NSR), and profitability (GM, EBIT) through both secondary and primary sales.• Conduct strategic pricing to manage volatility and drive profitable growth.• Optimize trade spend (Gross to Net) and ensure efficient resource allocation.• Expand market reach through effective RTM execution, increasing both geographic coverage and share of wallet in the dairy category.• Lead execution of RTM strategies, channel plans, and customer activation initiatives to maximize profitability.Distributor Management• Lead Joint Business Plan (JBP) execution with distributors in line with strategic goals.• Continuously evaluate distributor performance and implement corrective actions where needed.• Set and monitor sales and distribution targets in collaboration with Trade Marketing.• Oversee daily distributor operations, including inventory, collections, customer service, warehousing, and systems.• Establish operational and service guidelines for distributors and wholesalers.• Conduct regular distribution audits and follow up on improvement actions.Sales Operations & Integrated Business Planning (IBP)• Own bottom-up sales forecasting from both internal teams and distributor representatives.• Ensure forecast accuracy using standardized templates and meet FS division KPIs.• Deliver IBP KPIs, conduct root cause analysis, and communicate insights through pre-DR and DR processes.• Maintain a robust foodservice database with timely and accurate market intelligence.• Identify risks and opportunities to improve planning accuracy.People Management & Capability Building• Allocate headcount and resources effectively across areas to maximize productivity.• Recruit, train, and coach the sales team on AFP’s solution-selling methodology and tools.• Spend significant time in the field providing hands-on coaching to ASEs, distributor CROs, and merchandisers.• Ensure daily sales routines are followed and sales discipline is maintained.• Motivate and develop the team through competency assessments and tailored development plans.