Job Description:
We're looking for a strategic and people-focused Sales Leader to drive growth in our Pet Professionals channels across South Africa. In this role, you’ll lead, develop and support a geographically diverse VET and PRO sales team to deliver sustainable, profitable results aligned with our operating plans. You'll play a critical role in boosting Royal Canin’s sales, market share, and brand awareness, while strengthening customer loyalty across the Pet Professionals segment. You’ll also shape long-term strategies that unlock future growth opportunities.
What are we looking for?BVSc or BVetnurs degree and/ or 5 – 7 years proven sales management experience in the Pharmaceutical or Cosmetic industry
A minimum of 4 – 5 years’ experience in managing large teams
Strong commercial and financial acumen
Thorough understanding of scientific sales environment and marketplace
Thorough understanding of the Royal Canin and Mars brands within that environment
Ability to travel nationally, in line with region sales contribution. Region responsibilities may be adjusted based on business requirements.
Ability to travel internationally
Drive commercial performance by executing sales and marketing strategies that deliver annual volume and NSV targets in the Pet Professionals channels.
Lead field execution by managing customer relationships, collaborating with distributors, and ensuring excellence in field sales performance and promotional activity rollout.
Manage and grow customer base by maintaining strong partnerships, identifying new opportunities, and aligning efforts with supply, marketing, and logistics.
Develop and lead the Pet Professionals team, including performance management, coaching, capability development, and regular field visits across South Africa.
Foster a high-performing and engaged team culture by role modelling the Five Principles, conducting regular reviews, and building a vision that enables the team to thrive in a dynamic environment.
Contribute to strategic business growth through insightful market analysis, sales forecasting, and innovative approaches that enhance customer experience and brand presence.
Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.
Mars Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Mars and has not been reviewed or approved by Mars.
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Healthcare Strength — The benefits package is positioned as comprehensive, with broad medical coverage and additional protections like life insurance and short- and long-term disability. Mental health support is emphasized, including free mental health services and wellbeing programming under initiatives such as Mars Be Well.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted as market-leading in the U.S., with an example of 18 weeks fully paid for both parents. Additional family-related leave types such as sick time for caregiving and bereavement leave are also described as part of the overall package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are described as strong, including 401(k) matching (with a 6% match cited) and pension plans in some cases. The broader package also references retirement savings options and contributions aligned to local market practice, supporting long-term financial security.
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What We Do
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’s®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, Pet Partners™, and VCA™. We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
