Company: Safaricom 

Function: Sales and Distribution Business Unit 

Reports to: Chief Sales & Distribution 

Location: Jigjiga , Somali Region

The Sales and Distribution Business Unit is responsible for driving the commercial success of the company's products and services. This critical function manages the entire regional commercial ecosystem, ensuring the widespread availability of products, customer acquisition, and utilization of network resources across the assigned area. 

Reporting directly to the Chief Sales & Distribution, the Executive Head of Department - National Sales Manager is the commercial head for the Somali Region. This leadership role is responsible for the overall strategic and operational management of the region's commercial activities, including distributors, Merchants, Agents/sub-agents, and Sales Service Officers (SSOs). The core mandate is to maximize sales, expand the customer base, ensure efficient distribution network management, and drive cluster growth and site utilization for voice and data services.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Sales and Commercial Leadership 

• Develop and implement the regional sales plan and quotas, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives. 

• Act as the regional commercial head and liaison, representing the overall commercial business to internal and external stakeholders. 

• Formulate, coordinate, and execute regional trade activities and events in collaboration with trade marketing and activation teams to achieve market penetration and brand awareness. 

• Identify gaps in market coverage and implement strategies for the recruitment of suitable Merchants/Agents/SSOs to meet cluster targets. 

• Develop and implement new programs, sales initiatives, and strategies to capture key demographics and drive growth. 

2. Distribution and Operations Management 

• Effectively manage regional Distributors, Merchants, Agents/sub-agents, and SSOs to maintain an efficient and compliant distribution network. 

• Ensure availability and penetration of float, SIM cards, and all MPESA products in the market. 

• Closely monitor and flow-up on regional distributor cluster performance, ensuring they deliver quality gross adds and assign the required number of Business Assistants (BAs)/agents. • Conduct regular market visits to check route coverage, availability, and ensure adherence to set daily and monthly trade routes. 

• Ensure 100% compliance with branding and merchandising standards at all outlets. 

• Collaborate with the Regional Network Operation Manager on network-related performance, site utilization, and usage growth (voice and data). 

3. Financial, Performance, and Compliance 

• Attain transaction targets—value of transactions, number of transactions, and customer registrations—to achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual targets for the assigned area. 

• Responsible for driving regional sales and revenue growth, contributing to the overall profitability. 

• Manage budgeting and financial forecasting for regional sales initiatives. 

• Ensure all Merchants, Agents/sub-agents, and SSOs are well-trained in acceptable Know Your Customer (KYC) standards and that the contracted sales force delivers expected training standards. 

• Carry out consistent market audits and ensure closure of unsatisfactory Merchants/Agents with the return of company property. 

4. Team Leadership and Development 

• Lead, inspire, and motivate the commercial team to optimize performance and achieve individual and team targets. 

• Coach, mentor, and review the commercial managers and the overall business performance. 

• Identify hiring needs, and participate in the recruiting, selecting, staffing, and orientation of the new sales team. 

• Improve the capability and build the strength of the regional commercial team to ensure continuous improvement in sales skills.

Job Requirements

Qualifications & Requirements: 

Must-Have Technical / Professional Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor's degree in business, sales, marketing, or a related field. 

• 4 to 6 years of proven work experience as a regional sales manager or area sales manager, preferably in the telecom or FMCG industry. 

• Proficiency in the Local Language (Af-Soomaali) and prior experience in the Somali Region is highly required. 

• Proven experience in sales management and business development roles within the telecom sector. 

• In-depth knowledge of the telecom industry, including the market, products, and services. 

• Knowledge of CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite. Core Competencies, Knowledge, and Experience: 

• Strong business know-how with a deep understanding of regional market dynamics, customer preferences, and competitor landscape. 

• Proven ability to work in a changing environment within the telecom industry, adapting strategies and processes. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills coupled with strong analytical and critical thinking skills. 

• Demonstrated Leadership skills and the ability to lead and motivate a high performing team. 

• Strong project and program management skills.

How To Apply

Qualified and interested applicants must send their updated CV in PDF formats to “hermela@ethiojobs.net” using the subject line “ Executive Head of Department - National Sales Manager”