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EKPO SUNDAY
St. Johns
Summary
Results-driven professional with over 20 years of experience in cultivating long-term business relationships and driving growth across North West, South-South, and Middle Belt regions in Nigeria. Proven expertise in developing strategic plans, executing sales strategies, and leading teams to meet distribution, visibility, and volume targets.
Overview
1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Commercial Manager
PZ CUSSONS PLC
10.2022 - Current
- Managed and drove increase in revenue and market share through aggressive selling and execution of business development initiatives.
- Achieved Year on Year Volume growth of 22% and 23% in value for Middle Belt region in FY25.
- Budget Achievement of 105% and Year on Year Value Growth of 27% by driving key deliverable of Secondary to Primary sales of N9.3B, Maintaining Inventory stock cover >3 weeks to ensure timely replenishment in FY24.
- Drove team performance across customers, channel, and brands to achieve best regional budget and year-on-year value growth in FY23/24.
- Led effective deployment and allocation of 160 distribution resources to achieve an outstanding coverage of 43,000 Coverage outlets Vs 35,000 Previous year representing 8,000 in absolute number and +22% growth.
- Pioneered the successful launch of the New Route to Market into Middle Belt Region through team collaboration, training with Outstanding Channel Growth of +42%.
- Executed key IMEX levers to deliver competitive advantage, achieving average of 290 outlets per SSF, N6.6m productivity, N12k drop size, and 88% sales strike rate, resulting in minimum 25% growth across open market, neighborhood, golden stores, and wholesale channels.
- Developed sales objectives, strategies and plan to drive sales growth in the Middle Belt Region.
Zonal Sales Manager
PZ CUSSONS PLC
Abuja
08.2019 - 09.2022
- Managed and drove increase in revenue and market share through aggressive selling and execution of business development initiatives.
- Managed revenue growth and market share increase through aggressive selling and execution of business development initiatives.
- Promoted the cross-selling of high margin brands which resulted in achievement of 35% Gross Margin.
- Implemented wholesale incentive schemes which drove 50% increase in wholesale contribution to total.
- Designed a tracking system to monitor and evaluate sales team performance. This led to a significant increase in overall sales within 1 year.
- Developed sales objectives, strategies and plan to drive sales growth in the assigned area.
- Designed a tracking system to monitor and evaluate sales team performance. This led to significant increase in overall sales within 1 year.
- Led effective deployment and allocation of 19 redistribution vans to cover 3,027 outlets.
- Building team capacity and competence next level succession by way of clearly identifying potentials. This led in two TSMs across the region promotion to ASMs role under me.
Area Sales Manager
PZ CUSSONS PLC
01.2015 - 08.2019
- Oversaw sales administration and brand management initiatives for 92 SKUs, enhancing visibility and market presence in food and non-food categories.
- Conducted promotional events and market activations, driving customer engagement and brand awareness.
- Championed monthly performance review meetings with major stakeholders, aligning strategies and improving sales outcomes.
- Managed a business with a portfolio of N4.5billion for Rivers/Bayelsa.
- Built relationship with 4 Active distributors and designed joint business plan which led to threefold improvement in category performance.
- Implement effective distributor management schemes.
- Champion monthly performance review meetings with major stakeholders.
- Nominated as 'Lead Coach, PZ Way of Selling' to facilitate accreditation exercise for South- South/South- East regions.
- Improved team productivity and efficiency through field coaching and accompaniment. This led to winning of awards and an increase in responsibilities (promotion) for direct reports.
Area Sales Manager
PZ CUSSONS PLC
12.2010 - 01.2015
- Achieved YoY growth of 20% in 2013 and 16% in 2014 in Kaduna Business area.
- Compiled monthly competitor activities, pricing, market insights, and sales forecasts to inform strategic decisions.
- Executed sales promotional activities to enhance brand visibility and support market development objectives.
- Pioneered the launch of 9 redistribution vans to enhance penetration and Neighborhood Retail coverage which resulted into listing of Homecare & Personal care brands in 1,505 verified outlets within 6 months.
- Initiated project AVA (Availability, Visibility, Accessibility) which improved distribution, merchandising and shelf uptake of 21 SKUs (Store Keeping Units) across top outlets.
- Oversaw the launch and market activation of Canoe Laundry Soap across major markets. This generated significant increase in demand and led to 40% contribution of the brand to total business.
- Pioneered the launch of 9 redistribution vans to enhance penetration and Neighborhood Retail coverage which resulted in listing of Homecare & Personal care brands in 1,505 verified outlets within 6 months.
- Oversaw the launch and market activation of Canoe Laundry Soap across major markets. This generated a significant increase in demand and led to a 40% contribution of the brand to total business.
Territory Sales Manager
PZ CUSSONS PLC
Zaria
12.2006 - 12.2010
- Oversaw the deployment of 9 Market Sales Rep covering 1,105 Open Market retail outlets within assigned territory.
- Collected market data on size, distribution, pricing, launches, and competition to inform strategic decisions.
- Designed sales strategy for each market and developed profitable relationship with trade partners.
- Handled market activations and ensured flawless execution and delivery of several promotional initiatives which improved sales of slow-moving brands.
- Implemented customer incentive scheme that consistently met monthly sales targets.
- Executed market activations and delivered promotional initiatives that revitalized sales of slow-moving brands.
- Gathered market information relating to; market size, distribution, pricing, launch and competition.
Education
BSc. - Accounting
Ambrose Alli University
Ekpoma, Edo State, NigeriaSecondary certificate Examination -
Federal Government College
Kwali, Abuja, NigeriaSkills
- Sales strategy
- Revenue growth
- Business development
- Team performance
- Customer relationship management
- Team leadership
- Market analysis
- Inventory management
Languages
- ENGLISH
- IBIBIO
- HAUSA
Certification
Associate Member, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, 2008
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 07/28/78
- Gender: MALE
- Nationality: NIGERIAN
- Marital Status: MARRIED
Professional Development
- Effective Coaching and Mentoring, Commercial Capability team, 12/01/26
- Team Management & Development, Commercial Capability team, 12/01/25
- Field Sales Management, Commercial Capability team, 07/01/24
- Managing self for Outstanding Performance, Chyles Pathway, 11/01/23
- Leading People for Peak performance, Ashford & McGuire Consulting, 12/01/22
- The Art of Delivering Exceptional Service, Commercial Capability team, 08/01/20
- Excellent Customer Services, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, 03/01/08
Timeline
Regional Commercial Manager
PZ CUSSONS PLC
10.2022 - Current
Zonal Sales Manager
PZ CUSSONS PLC
08.2019 - 09.2022
Area Sales Manager
PZ CUSSONS PLC
01.2015 - 08.2019
Area Sales Manager
PZ CUSSONS PLC
12.2010 - 01.2015
Territory Sales Manager
PZ CUSSONS PLC
12.2006 - 12.2010
BSc. - Accounting
Ambrose Alli University
Secondary certificate Examination -
Federal Government College