SALES OPERATIONS MANAGER

At JTI we celebrate differences, and everyone truly belongs. 46,000 people from all over the world are continuously building their unique success story with us. 83% of employees feel happy working at JTI.

To make a difference with us, all you need to do is bring your human best.

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Learn more: jti.com

Sales Operations Manager

What this position is about – Purpose

this role advances JTI’s distributor management, business development, sales growth, and market program goals to strengthen its national leadership.

As Sales Operations Manager, you strategically drive field execution and operational excellence within the distribution network. You coordinate closely with the Distributor Sales Director to ensure effective sales delivery, demand planning, and budget control.

Your duties include managing sales and operations planning, improving forecast accuracy, expanding distribution channels, identifying growth opportunities, building strong relationships with distributors, resolving operational issues promptly, and leading micro-distribution initiatives for lasting growth.

You are responsible for executing sales strategies, meeting volume targets, optimizing efficiency, and supporting strategic decisions in a competitive, regulated environment.

What will you do - Responsibilities:

• Business Strategy: Translate business strategy into actionable plans, align teams for growth, and provide data-driven support for sales planning and forecasting.
• Distributor Management: Serve as main contact with distributor leadership to ensure commercial alignment, monitor KPIs, and drive distributor performance.
• Performance Analysis: Review sales, coverage, and market share data; identify gaps; recommend actions; and prepare monthly performance reports with key insights.
• Initiatives & Continuous Improvements: Lead efforts to improve field efficiency, sales processes, and distribution capabilities, while supporting regional expansion and digitalization.
• Commercial Budget Management: Oversee sales and marketing budgets, track ROI, and monitor spending against targets.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain to deliver business objectives.
• Cycle Planning: Manage cycle activity briefs, implementation, and reporting.
• Resource Management: Support recruitment, staff training, policy execution, and optimize fleet utilization.

Whom are we looking for – Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Sciences, Marketing, Economics, or Statistics; MBA preferred
• 12 years’ sales and trade marketing experience, including 5 years at a national managerial level overseeing distributor and sales teams
• In-depth knowledge of the tobacco industry, FMCG value chain, and targeted DRC provinces (Kinshasa, Bandundu, Equateur, Katanga, Kasai, Eastern DRC) with previous work experience
• Proficient in English, French, Swahili, and Lingala
• Demonstrated people leadership, commercial and financial acumen, results orientation, coverage planning, and business strategy
• Skilled in distributor management, advanced Excel, Power BI, and process optimization
• Experienced in sales planning, forecasting, reporting, scenario modeling, and customer management
• Effective communicator, diplomatic, energetic, able to work under stress and collaborate cross-functionally

Are you ready to join us? Build your success story at JTI. Apply now!

Next Steps:

After applying, if selected, please anticipate the following within 1-3 weeks of the job posting closure: Phone screening with Talent Advisor > Assessment tests > Interviews > Offer. Each step is eliminatory and may vary by role type.

At JTI, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you need any specific support, alternative formats, or have other access requirements, please let us know.