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Van Sales Executive

Highlands Drinks Limited

Nairobifull time~KES 50k – 80k/mo2h ago

Quick Take

The Role

Drive a delivery van across assigned Nairobi routes, taking orders, restocking shelves, and selling Highlands beverages to retailers and distributors while managing stock and hitting daily sales targets.

You Need

5+ years of van sales or FMCG field experience, a valid Commercial Driving Licence, and strong sales negotiation skills with the ability to manage inventory and customer relationships independently.

You Get

A stable full-time role with a established 69-year-old beverage brand, competitive salary of KES 50,000–80,000/month, and direct control over your territory's growth.

Job Description

Role Overview

Highlands Drinks Limited, one of Kenya's most storied non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers with over 69 years of industry leadership, is looking for a driven and results-oriented Van Sales Executive to join their sales team in Nairobi. This is a field-based, full-time role that sits at the heart of the company's route-to-market strategy, placing you directly in contact with customers, retailers, and distributors across an assigned territory.

In this role, you will be responsible for growing sales volumes, ensuring consistent product availability at customer outlets, managing van stock with precision, and representing the Highlands brand with professionalism and energy. If you thrive in a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) environment and love the challenge of hitting targets on the road, this opportunity is for you.

Key Responsibilities
  • Take and process customer orders, ensuring accurate and timely product delivery along your assigned route each day.
  • Build and sustain strong, trust-based relationships with existing customers while actively identifying and onboarding new accounts.
  • Sell and actively promote Highlands' full product portfolio across all relevant customer segments within the territory.
  • Execute daily sales routes as assigned, optimizing coverage to maximize product availability and sales opportunities.
  • Monitor van stock levels throughout the day; reconcile stock issued, sold, and returned at the end of every shift.
  • Report any stock discrepancies, damages, or losses promptly to the relevant supervisor.
  • Achieve or exceed monthly sales targets, volume quotas, and distribution objectives set by management.
  • Track market trends, monitor competitor activities, and relay actionable field intelligence to the sales team.
  • Participate in sales promotions, activations, and in-store merchandising initiatives as directed.
  • Prepare and submit accurate daily sales, stock, and customer reports to support management decision-making.
  • Resolve customer complaints and concerns efficiently, escalating complex issues through the appropriate channels.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Must demonstrate at least 5 years of hands-on experience in van sales, FMCG distribution, or a closely related field-sales role — applicants without direct van sales background will not be considered.
  • Must hold a valid Commercial Driving Licence (CDL) and be comfortable operating a delivery van safely across Nairobi's diverse road conditions.
  • Must be able to plan and execute efficient daily routes that maximize territory coverage and customer visits.
  • Must demonstrate strong sales negotiation skills — able to close orders, handle objections, and upsell effectively in the field.
  • Must maintain accurate physical stock records and perform daily stock reconciliations with minimal supervision.
  • Must communicate clearly with customers, colleagues, and supervisors — both verbally and in written reports.
  • Must be comfortable working with sales targets and possess a data-driven approach to monitoring personal performance against KPIs.
  • Diploma or Certificate in Sales, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
Salary & Benefits

Highlands Drinks Limited has not publicly disclosed a salary figure for this position. Based on current Kenyan FMCG market benchmarks for a Van Sales Executive role requiring 5 years of experience, the estimated monthly compensation falls in the range of KES 50,000 – KES 80,000, inclusive of applicable allowances. Final remuneration will be communicated during the selection process and is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

  • Stable employment with a well-established Kenyan manufacturer
  • Exposure to a broad, iconic beverage brand portfolio
  • Field-based role with daily route variety
Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for a seasoned field sales professional who has spent meaningful time in FMCG van sales or distribution, understands the rhythm of route execution, and takes personal ownership of their sales numbers. You should be energetic, self-disciplined, and customer-centric — someone who can represent a reputable brand with integrity every single day on the road.

Please do not apply if you have fewer than 5 years of relevant van sales or FMCG field experience, do not hold a valid Commercial Driving Licence, or are looking for an office-based or sedentary sales role. This is a physically active, target-driven position that requires daily fieldwork.

How to Apply
  • Prepare an updated CV highlighting your van sales experience, driving licence details, and measurable sales achievements.
  • Submit your application through the Highlands Drinks Limited careers portal or the job platform where this posting appears.
  • Ensure your application is submitted before the closing date of 24th June 2026 — late applications will not be considered.
  • Note: Never pay any fee, notarisation charge, or assessment cost as part of any recruitment process. Highlands Drinks Limited does not charge applicants at any stage.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • Minimum 5 years of hands-on van sales, FMCG distribution, or field-sales experience
  • Valid Commercial Driving Licence (CDL) and ability to operate a delivery van safely in Nairobi
  • Proven sales negotiation skills with ability to close orders and handle objections in the field
  • Accurate stock record-keeping and daily stock reconciliation capability with minimal supervision
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills for reporting and customer interaction

Nice to Have

  • Experience with sales tracking apps or mobile data collection tools
  • Familiarity with FMCG route optimization and territory management
  • Track record of exceeding sales targets and expanding customer base
  • Knowledge of non-alcoholic beverage market in Kenya

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Competitive mid-range salary for Van Sales Executive in Nairobi

The posted range of KES 50,000–80,000/month is within market expectations for van sales roles in Kenya's FMCG sector, with variation depending on experience, territory performance, and any commission or incentive structures. Established brands like Highlands typically offer this range for experienced candidates; entry points land closer to KES 50,000, while top performers can reach the ceiling.

About Highlands Drinks Limited

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Highlands Drinks Limited is one of Kenya's oldest and most trusted non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers, boasting over 69 years of market leadership and deep roots across East Africa. As a household name in Kenya's FMCG sector, the company operates extensive distribution networks and maintains strong brand recognition. Joining Highlands offers stability, a reputable employer brand, and exposure to a mature, well-run organization with established routes and customer relationships.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Tell us about your most successful sales route or territory — how did you grow it, and what was your biggest challenge in managing daily stock and customer relationships?

  • 2

    Describe a time when you missed a monthly sales target. What went wrong, and what did you do to recover the following month?

  • 3

    How do you manage your van stock to minimize discrepancies and losses while maximizing sales? Walk us through your daily routine.

  • 4

    Give an example of how you identified and on-boarded a new customer account in your previous role. How did you approach it?

  • 5

    Nairobi's traffic and road conditions are demanding — tell us about your driving record and how you ensure vehicle safety and on-time delivery while meeting aggressive sales targets.

Application Tips

  • Quantify your van sales track record: include specific monthly sales volumes achieved, percentage growth in territory, and number of new accounts added in previous roles — this is what Highlands will focus on.

  • Emphasize your commercial driving experience and any safety commendations or clean driving record; mention familiarity with Nairobi's geography and traffic patterns if you have it.

  • Highlight experience with sales apps, inventory systems, or data reporting tools you've used; show you're comfortable with the administrative/analytical side of field sales, not just the hustle.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Sales Representative or Territory Sales Officer in FMCG (non-van-based)
Van Sales Associate or Assistant Van Sales Executive with 2–3 years experience
Field Merchandiser or Distribution Officer in beverage or consumer goods

Where this leads

Senior Van Sales Executive or Van Sales Supervisor overseeing multiple routes/team members
Sales Manager or Territory Manager responsible for a region's P&L and team leadership
Regional Distribution Manager or Account Manager for key retail chains

Skills & Keywords

van sales executivefmcg sales kenyadelivery sales reproute sales nairobibeverages sales jobcommercial driver salesfield sales executivedistribution sales kenya

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • Established, 69-year-old company with a clear market position and brand reputation — lower risk of layoffs or instability compared to startups.
  • Transparent salary range (KES 50,000–80,000/month) posted upfront, reducing negotiation uncertainty.
  • Field-based role with autonomy — you own your territory and daily decisions, appealing to self-driven sales professionals.
  • Clear, detailed job description with specific KPIs (targets, stock reconciliation, daily reporting) — management expectations are explicit and measurable.

Watch Out

  • The posting explicitly states 'applicants without direct van sales background will not be considered' — this is a hard barrier; do not apply if you lack the 5 years specified, as there is no flexibility mentioned.
  • Job description cuts off mid-sentence at the end ('Must be comfortable working with sales targets and possess a data-driven app') — suggests the full posting may be incomplete; clarify all role expectations and tools before committing.

A Day in the Life

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Your week starts at the depot: you collect your assigned van, verify opening stock, and plan your daily route across assigned retailers, wholesalers, and small shops in your Nairobi territory. Most days involve 6–8 customer stops, taking orders, restocking shelves, collecting payments, and pitching promotions or new product lines. Afternoons are spent reconciling stock, documenting sales on your mobile app or form, and reporting any discrepancies or customer issues to your supervisor. You'll attend a weekly sales meeting to review targets, hear about upcoming activations, and discuss competitor moves; top performers are recognized and underperformers coached. The role is dynamic and physically demanding — you're constantly on the road, problem-solving customer complaints, and pushing to hit your monthly volume quota.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a Van Sales Executive at Highlands Drinks Limited?

You must have a minimum of 5 years of hands-on van sales, FMCG distribution, or field-sales experience, a valid Commercial Driving Licence (CDL), and strong sales negotiation and stock management skills. The company will not consider applicants without direct van sales background.

Is the Van Sales Executive role at Highlands Drinks Limited remote?

No, this is a fully field-based, full-time role. You will be driving a delivery van across assigned routes in Nairobi, visiting customers, and managing inventory on the road daily.

How much does a Van Sales Executive earn at Highlands Drinks Limited?

The posted salary range is KES 50,000–80,000 per month. Actual pay within this range will depend on your experience, territory performance, and any commission or bonus structures offered by the company.

What are the career growth opportunities for this role?

As a Van Sales Executive, you can advance to Senior Van Sales Executive, Van Sales Supervisor, or Sales Manager roles managing multiple territories or teams. Highlands, with 69 years of market leadership, typically promotes internally and offers clear pathways for high performers to move into regional or account management positions.

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