Sales Manager - Acquiring

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Job Summary

• Develop and execute the merchant acquiring sales strategy to grow transaction volumes, revenues, and market share.
• Set sales targets, monitor performance, and ensure consistent achievement of financial goals.
• Identify new markets, business segments, and payment opportunities for expansion.

• Oversee the acquisition of new merchants across priority sectors.
• Ensure high quality onboarding, training, and activation of merchants to drive usage.
• Manage and grow the existing merchant portfolio through strong relationship management and cross selling of additional payment solutions.

• Work closely with product, marketing, and channel teams to ensure competitive pricing, product features, and go to market plans.
• Monitor competitor activity, market trends, and regulatory developments to maintain a strong value proposition.

• Lead, train, and motivate the sales team to deliver high performance and excellent merchant experience.
• Implement coaching, performance monitoring, and incentive programs.
• Ensure field teams are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge.

• Build strategic partnerships with key stakeholders such as fintechs, technology vendors, aggregators, and industry associations.
• Negotiate and manage commercial agreements to support business growth.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines, internal policies, KYC, and risk frameworks.
• Work with operations and IT to ensure smooth deployment of POS devices, system uptime, and timely issue resolution.
• Strengthen fraud prevention practices within merchant ecosystem.

• Champion merchant experience by ensuring timely response to issues, proactive support, and clear communication.
• Drive initiatives that reduce transaction failures, chargebacks, and service downtime.

• Prepare sales performance dashboards, revenue reports, and pipeline updates for management.
• Use data analytics to drive decisions on merchant performance, attrition, and optimization.

• Communication skills
• Relationship Management skills
• Planning
• Interpersonal skills
• Sales skills
• Negotiation skills

• Full and extensive knowledge of Absacard products and services
• Working knowledge of acquiring industry dynamics, interchange, etc.
• In-depth knowledge of competitor solutions
• Knowledge of the Business-to-Business sector
• Fully aware of industry trends (in country and overseas)
• Knowledge of Absa Group and Absacard strategies both locally and overseas
• Working knowledge and practical understanding of Law legislation and regulations as they apply to the local market.

• Satisfies the FSA criteria for an approved person, both initially and ongoing
• 3 years minimum sales experience with a proven track record of achievement and high performance
• Proven success rate in negotiation in a corporate environment

• Knowledge of relevant third-party suppliers (e.g. technology)
• An up-to-date knowledge of industry related developments

• May have experience in the Business-to-Business Financial Services Sector

• Knowledge of the Card Acquiring industry would be an advantage but not essential.

• Competition expected to stiffen, follow more aggressive strategies in most markets

• There is a need for flexibility and to be able to work to challenging deadlines when they arise

• The role is itinerant.  Office space will not be available.  Travel in country and, in some cases, out of country will be required.

• There is a need for flexibility and to be able to work to challenging deadlines when they arise

• The role is itinerant.  Office space will not be available.  Travel in country and, in some cases, out of country will be required.

• Drive Performance

• Delight Customers

• Build Pride and Passion

• Execute at Speed

• Grow Talent and Capability

• Protect and Enhance our Reputation

Absa Values and Behaviours represent the set of standards which governs the actions of all of us who work for the bank and against which the performance of every one of us in Absa are being assessed and rewarded:

• Trust
• Resourceful
• Stewardship
• Inclusive
• Courage

Education