Overview:
Bengal Foundation is a private trust, with key interests in music, literature, crafts and fine art. Itoperates purely for the public benefit and runs several programmes to broaden the understanding of the arts and letters, with a special focus on bringing the cultural riches of Bangladesh to the fore.

JOB VACANCY
 
 
Position
Manager – Sales & Distribution

Primary Function

The position requires a full and comprehensive understanding of the kinds of programming pursued by the Foundation. Programmes have breadth in terms of being culturally relevant across a range, and have depth in terms of envisioning long-term goals and in being meaningful to society. The outcome of different streams of programming is often in terms of staging events and exhibitions, organizing conferences, talks and lectures, and producing books, magazines, journals, artworks, catalogues, audio and video tapes, and other multi-dimensional cultural products.

Job Overview

Work closely with the existingarts, publishing, crafts and music programmes (and other programmes to be pursued in the future), manage and expand audiences and relationships, effectively communicate the strengths of brands and products, create sales and marketing strategies and implement the same, be highly organized and self-motivated, have outstanding time-management skills and the ability to deliver to set goals and meet demanding deadlines are essential to success in this position.

The position will be responsible for overall distribution and sales functions of all units set up and managed by the Bengal Foundation Trust. Key responsibilities will include the development and implementation of sales strategies, evaluation and improvement of sales channels, identifying and providing actionable feedback related to current and future customer needs, governing overall sales growth, and managing of the various sales channels throughout the sales cycle.

Key Responsibilities

  • Sales Forecasting: Develop and continually enhance the available sales forecasting tools within the organization. This will include annual and long-term sales projections through various channel, detailed monthly/quarterly projections .
  • Channel Development: Establish and develop the optimum sales enablers for Bengal Foundation. This will include measures of effectiveness, identifying areas for development and realigning channel partners as necessary
  • Market Development: Assist retailers/channel partners to enhance existing market position while seeking opportunities in emerging or alternate market in an effort to achieve growth objectives. Explore e-markets, web channels, new distribution paths. Work with Programme Heads and Managers to develop new ideas for outreach.
  • Product Development: Define and document distribution requirements for targeted products as required to achieve  market share goals within a specific market .
  • Customer Service: Work closely with Programme Heads and Managers to provide superior products to our end users and continuously work to improve customer satisfaction levels and identify new opportunities to provide increased revenue through the offering of enhanced or additional products andservices.
  • Process Improvement: Process improvement projects to streamline processes such as subscription, membership etc, from attainment to product delivery.
  • Team Player: Drive a full-fledged target oriented team. Rebuild and restructure team, as and when necessary, for better productivity and effectiveness.

Primary Duties

  • Manage Distribution &Sales activities and relevant budgets
  • Establish direction of the distribution sales channel and develop market related initiatives
  • Collaborate with a wide variety of Programme Heads, Managers and functionaries across operations to develop targeted product definitions, responsive to distribution needs and sales opportunities
  •  Conduct sales training and support programmes as required
  • Determine tactical pricing and margin strategies, lead time target strategy, product cost targets and cost reduction, product standardization and rationalization plans
  • Establish and execute annual and three-year distribution sales plan
  • Solicit and analyze distribution feedback as it pertains to product excellence, and value within served markets

Education, professional experience and other requirements

  • Preferably an MBA from a reputed University
  • Minimum of 5 years experience in mid-level Distribution Management, preferably in an arts related organization or an FMCG
  • Demonstrated success working in a multidimensional environment, preferably in the distribution market
  • Regular report generating skills using necessary computer aids.

Work environment requirements

  • Foster cross-functional problem solving attitude, be cooperative
  • Ability to work collaboratively with others toward mutual objectives.
  • Ability to communicate and enlist support for the vision of the organization; excellent communication and presentation skills required.
  • Ability to do what it takes to win ethically and morally
  • Ability to ‘think on your feet’ and drive honest credibility
  • The ability to adapt to work effectively in an environment of change, uncertainty, and ambiguity; can make pragmatic decisions in a timely fashion, especially when there is not a clear “right way.”
  • Ability to prioritize the most relevant from all other issues.
  • Bias for action; drive to achieve results and goals in the short and long term.
  • Organized; strong time and project management skills.
  • A drive to discover and meet the needs of customers (either internal or external).
  • Travelling may be required.

Competencies

  • Business Acumen
  • Conflict Management
  • Customer Focus
  • Managing Diversity
  • Interpersonal Savvy
  • Presentation Skills
  • Drive For Results
  • Strategic Agility

To be considered for this recruitment, please submit a resume in English to jobs@bengalfoundation.org by 30 April 2015. Please write the position for which you are applying in the email subject line. You may also apply online.