Job Description
HEAD OF SALES - HARISCHANDRA MILLS PLC
For over 80 years, Harischandra Mills PLC has been one of Sri Lanka's most trusted and respected household brands, renowned for delivering high-quality food products that have become an integral part of generations of Sri Lankan families. Founded in 1943 in Matara, the company has grown from a small milling operation into a leading manufacturer with a diverse portfolio including noodles, coffee, flours, spices, instant food products, papadams, soaps, and other everyday essentials. Guided by a legacy of quality, innovation, and employee empowerment, Harischandra continues to uphold its founder's vision while fostering a workplace that values integrity, excellence, teamwork, and continuous growth.
We are looking for a dynamic and results-driven sales leader to join our team as Head of Sales. The ideal candidate will bring strong FMCG sales experience across both General Trade and Modern Trade, with a proven track record in driving revenue growth, expanding distribution and building high-performing sales teams.
This is an opportunity for an accomplished sales professional to take full ownership of the Company's entire sales function. The Head of Sales will be responsible for driving volume and value growth, strengthening market presence island-wide and ensuring disciplined commercial execution across all channels.
Location: This position is based in Colombo.
Core Responsibilities
- Take full ownership of the Company's sales function, developing and executing sales strategies aligned with business objectives and long-term growth plans.
- Achieve sales volume, value and profitability targets across all product categories, regions and channels.
- Drive General Trade performance by expanding numeric and weighted distribution, improving outlet coverage and strengthening route-to-market execution.
- Manage and grow Modern Trade key accounts, including trading terms, listings, promotions, shelf visibility and account profitability.
- Lead, manage and develop the distributor network, including appointments, performance reviews, stock levels, credit discipline and service standards.
- Lead, motivate and develop the sales team, setting clear targets, KPIs and incentive structures and building a strong performance culture.
- Partner with Marketing on new product launches, trade promotions, pricing and in-store activation, ensuring effective execution at the point of sale.
- Prepare sales forecasts and budgets, working closely with Production, Supply Chain and Finance to ensure product availability and efficient demand planning.
- Manage trade spend, discounts, market returns and receivables, ensuring commercial discipline and healthy collection performance.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity and customer insights to identify new growth opportunities and respond quickly to market changes.
- Provide timely sales performance reports and recommendations to senior management, leveraging sales data, ERP/DMS systems and analytics.
Qualifications and Experience
- A Degree and/or Professional Qualification in Sales and/or Marketing (CIM, SLIM or equivalent).
- An MBA or Postgraduate qualification in Marketing or Business Management would be an added qualification.
- Over 10 years of sales experience in the FMCG sector, of which 05 years should be in a senior sales management capacity.
- Proven hands-on experience in managing both General Trade and Modern Trade channels in Sri Lanka.
- A proven track record in achieving sales targets, expanding distribution and managing distributor networks and key accounts.
- Strong commercial acumen with a sound understanding of trade terms, pricing, promotions and channel profitability.
- Demonstrated leadership capability, integrity and the ability to build and motivate high-performing sales teams.
- Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills, with the willingness to travel island-wide.
Please forward a detailed CV and contact details of two non-related referees to reach us within 14 working days through email [email protected] or by post to HR Manager, No.11, CA Harischandra Mawatha, Matara. Please mention the position applied for in the email subject.
Human Resource Department
Harischandra Mills PLC
No. 11, CA Harischandra Mawatha, Matara.
T: 041-222 4701-8 (Ext.104)
www.harischandramills.com
