Key Accounts Manager

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You will have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.

• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.

• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

This position is based in South Africa in Abbott Nutrition Division.

Our nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow, to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, Glucerna® and ZonePerfect® – to help get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest life.

The Trade Key Accounts Manager is responsible to ensure business objectives are met for AN in terms of sales target, profitability, and volume share.

To identify new business opportunities, manage existing retail relationships and sales objectives to assist in the achievement and delivery of AN annual business objectives

What You’ll Do:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement national and regional sales strategies aligned with our annual playbook. Tailor key account plans to drive volume, share, and profitability.
• Retail Partnership Excellence: Build and grow senior-level relationships with major retail customers. Align business plans, ensure strategic fit, and drive mutual success.
• Business Development: Identify and secure new business opportunities. Lead new product introductions and negotiate trade terms to maximize value.
• Operational Execution: Deliver accurate forecasts, manage budgets, and ensure seamless execution through trade visits, reporting, and S&OP processes.
• Team Leadership: Inspire and manage sales agents and merchandisers. Foster a high-performance culture focused on results, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What You Bring:

• 5–10 years of national-level FMCG sales and key account management experience.
• Ideally experience with dealing with customers like CLICKs, Dischem and other major retailers.
• Proven success in nutrition or OTC pharmaceutical sectors.
• Strong strategic thinking, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems.
• Willingness to travel 50–60% of the time.

Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualification in Business or related.
• Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, and Word skills.