Location: Zambia
About the role:
The PayGo Phones Business Manager, will be driving phone sales, collections and entire channel operations in the country for phones sold on a Pay-As-You-Go basis (also called and recognized as the "EasyBuy" business unit) . This is done through an extensive network of agents called “Phone Selling Agents” who sell through traded activations , P2P , door-to-door utilizing the EasyBuy technology and services that allow customers to purchase phones by paying for their devices in small instalments, thus ensuring they are highly affordable for urban , peri-urban or rural customers.
The PayGo Phones Business Manager is ultimately accountable for generating phone sales, ensuring collections are timely and accurate and keeping the entire direct distribution network growing rapidly in a sustainable manner, with the help of his team that typically consists of Sales Managers, Area Trade Developers and Phone Selling Agents.
1. Channel Acquisition and Development
- Manage the recruitment, training and onboarding of new phone-selling agents specialised in selling Sun King phones or any other available brands
- Oversee the growth of the agent base of phone selling agents as per set goals in the annual operating rhythm
- Drive the categorisation of agents based on sales productivity and prioritise agents’ development
2. Revenue and Productivity
- Develop Strategic plans to achieve set Revenue goals on number of units of phone sold by month and year
- Set up plans to grow and meet specific phone model goals, driving unique sales strategies aimed at growing each phone segment or model
- Work with the team to ensure optimum channel revenue growth by driving agent productivity
3. Portfolio Repayment Management
- Ensure the overall phone portfolio achieves set Phones Quality of Sale goals
- Develop strategies and interventions that will improve repayments by tracking the agent's portfolio repayment performance, default rates and at-risk accounts
- Streamline phone replacement and warranty processes to improve overall repayments and customer satisfaction.
4. Agent Branding, Engagement and Support
- Ensure that all phone selling agents are properly branded with all merchandise and collateral distributed timely and effectively.
- Frequent agent meeting and visits to improve engagement, work on resolutions and build relationships
- Ensure optimum stocking, achieving set inventory levels as well as adhering to set guidelines and processes.
5. Strategic Trade and Channel Activations
- Work with the marketing team and plan for strategic activation and awareness campaigns to improve brand awareness and drive sales
- Engage the phone selling agents in planning daily localised activities that are relevant to area operations, strengths and abilities
- Plan for periodic campaigns and awards to motivate agents and improve channel growth and retention.
6. Team Management
- Optimum staffing based on projected business growth and expansions
- Proper and timely communication of goals to the direct reports ensuring each one is aligned to expectation.
- Periodic reviews and strategy setting with teams ensuring that the channel remains on track to deliver set goals
- Mentoring the team and keeping them motivated for optimum performance and retention.
- Hold a degree in a business-related field or have a minimum of six (8) years working in a field sales role in the FMCG, microfinance, banking or telecom industries. An MBA will be an advantage.
- A strong background in agent management and channel development with a bias towards devices.
- Are a strong team player with great people skills to mentor teams to deliver on expectations.
- Deep knowledge of both urban and peri-urban and rural markets.
- Basic digital literacy (CRM, stock tools).
- Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.
- Willingness to travel extensively (5 days/week in the field).
- Are comfortable working with MS Excel and PowerPoint.
- A platform for professional growth in a rapidly expanding, high-impact sector.
- Immerse in a collaborative culture, energized by employees of Sun King who are collectively motivated by fostering a transformative, sustainable venture.
- A genuinely global environment: Engage and learn alongside a diverse group from varied geographies and backgrounds.
- Tailored learning pathways through the Sun King Center for Leadership to elevate your leadership and managerial capabilities.
