Head of Sales (Saudi)

Role Overview

Our client, a prominent regional Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) organisation headquartered in Saudi Arabia, is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Head of Sales to lead the sales function and spearhead commercial growth across the Kingdom. Based in Riyadh, this pivotal role will be responsible for crafting and implementing a robust sales strategy, steering high-performing sales teams, and cultivating strategic relationships with key customers and distributors. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in driving sales performance, uncovering new growth avenues, and ensuring the achievement of commercial objectives across the business.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Sales will be entrusted with a broad spectrum of responsibilities to foster sustainable business expansion and market leadership. These include:

• Sales Strategy Development and Execution: Design, refine, and implement a comprehensive sales strategy tailored to the Saudi market, aligning with the organisation’s long-term commercial goals and ensuring optimal market penetration.
• Team Leadership and Performance Management: Lead, mentor, and motivate a high-performing sales team to exceed targets, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Customer and Distributor Relationship Management: Strengthen and expand relationships with key accounts, distributors, and retail partners to enhance market presence and drive sales growth. Act as the primary point of contact for major stakeholders to ensure alignment and satisfaction.
• Market Expansion and Growth Initiatives: Identify and capitalise on new market opportunities, including untapped segments and emerging trends, to expand the organisation’s footprint and increase market share in Saudi Arabia.
• Sales Performance Oversight: Monitor, analyse, and report on sales performance metrics to assess progress against targets, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions where necessary.
• Commercial Acumen and Stakeholder Engagement: Leverage deep commercial insights to inform decision-making, negotiate favourable terms with partners, and advocate for the organisation’s interests in high-stakes commercial discussions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with marketing, supply chain, finance, and other departments to ensure seamless execution of sales strategies and alignment with broader business objectives.
• Regulatory and Compliance Adherence: Ensure all sales activities comply with local regulations, industry standards, and the organisation’s policies to mitigate risks and uphold corporate integrity.

Ideal Candidate Profile

To excel in this role, candidates must possess a robust track record in sales leadership within the non-food FMCG sector, coupled with a deep understanding of the Saudi market dynamics. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Extensive Sales Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressive sales experience within the non-food FMCG industry, with a proven ability to drive commercial success in competitive markets.
• Team Leadership Excellence: Proven experience in leading and developing high-performing sales teams, with a track record of delivering exceptional commercial results and exceeding sales targets.
• Trade and Distribution Expertise: Hands-on experience in managing both traditional trade channels and direct distribution networks, with a keen understanding of their respective dynamics and challenges.
• Strategic Sales Aptitude: A strong grasp of sales strategy development, customer relationship management, and market execution, with the ability to translate insights into actionable plans.
• Commercial Leadership: Demonstrated ability to drive business growth, expand market share, and achieve ambitious sales objectives through innovative strategies and decisive action.
• Leadership and Stakeholder Skills: Exceptional leadership qualities, commercial acumen, and the ability to manage stakeholders at all levels, from frontline teams to senior executives and key external partners.
• Market Expansion Mindset: A forward-thinking approach with a passion for identifying and capitalising on new growth opportunities to position the organisation as a market leader in Saudi Arabia.

Eligibility and Compliance

In alignment with the Saudi government’s Saudisation initiatives, this role is exclusively open to Saudi nationals. Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Saudi Arabia and possess the necessary work permits or residency status.