Our client, Ridgeback Wines, a premium wine estate situated in Paarl, seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial Sales Manager to drive local and international wine sales, expand distribution channels, and strengthen the brand's market presence. The ideal candidate will be based in or near Paarl, alternatively elsewhere in the Cape Winelands, with regular travel to Paarl.
Reporting to and working closely with the Cellar Master, the successful candidate will contribute to sales strategy and business development while remaining actively involved in trade engagement and sales generation. The role requires excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills, strong analytical abilities, and a proactive, results-driven approach.
Responsibilities will include (but not be limited to): *Developing and implementing sales strategies to drive revenue and volume growth *Identifying new business opportunities, expanding export markets, and securing premium listings across on- and off-consumption channels *Building and maintaining relationships with key customers, importers, distributors, sales agents, and industry stakeholders *Overseeing sales representatives and external sales agents, setting targets, coordinating sales activities, and monitoring performance *Growing direct-to-consumer sales, wine club membership, and online sales *Conducting trade visits, hosting wine tastings and food-and-wine dinners, and representing the brand at festivals, trade shows, and industry events *Analysing sales performance, stock movement, market trends, and performance against revenue and volume targets *Weekly and monthly reporting to management.
Essential qualifications, skills, and experience:
- Matric required, a tertiary qualification in Business, Marketing, or a similar field will be advantageous;
- Minimum 5 years' sales management experience within the wine industry, with sound knowledge of the South African wine industry (including wine varietals, market trends, and distribution channels);
- Strong commercial acumen and pricing skills, coupled with excellent analytical, administrative, and reporting abilities;
- Proficiency in MS Office and experience with CRM or direct-to-consumer sales platforms;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with fluency in English and Afrikaans;
- Valid driver's licence, own reliable vehicle, and willingness to travel locally and internationally.
Please apply online at www.m3online.co.za before 09:00 on 6 November 2026.
For general enquiries, contact our team at M3 Human Capital Management on 021 863 1444.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If no feedback is received within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.