Sales Executive

About the Company The Light of Israel Services LTD is a publishing and business development company committed to producing and distributing thought-provoking books that inspire personal transformation, leadership development, purposeful living, and positive societal change. Our publications address important subjects including leadership, personal development, mindset transformation, human behaviour, faith, purpose, and social development. We are committed to making our books accessible to readers, bookstores, educational institutions, organisations, and individuals across Nigeria and international markets. We are seeking a commercially driven and results-oriented Sales & Business Development Executive to strengthen our sales operations, expand our distribution network, increase book sales, and develop sustainable business opportunities. Job Summary The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing effective sales strategies to increase the company’s book sales and market presence. This is not merely a role for someone who can identify bookstores, make phone calls, send emails, or conduct promotional visits. We are looking for someone who understands how to turn business opportunities into actual sales. The candidate must be proactive, persuasive, commercially aware, resourceful, and capable of independently identifying prospective customers, developing relationships, negotiating sales opportunities, closing deals, and maintaining a consistent pipeline of potential buyers. The ideal candidate should be comfortable working with both traditional and digital sales channels, including bookstores, distributors, schools, corporate organisations, online communities, and direct individual customers. Key Responsibilities 1. Sales Generation and Revenue Growth * Develop and execute strategies to increase sales of the company’s published books. * Identify, approach, and convert prospective customers into paying customers. * Generate direct sales through personal networks, referrals, social media, email, telephone calls, and other effective channels. * Develop strategies to sell books in bulk to organisations, schools, churches, training institutions, corporate bodies, and other relevant groups. * Consistently pursue sales opportunities and work towards agreed monthly and quarterly revenue targets. * Follow up with prospective customers until opportunities result in confirmed purchases or are appropriately closed. 2. Business Development and Market Expansion * Identify and establish relationships with new bookstores, book distributors, libraries, educational institutions, and other relevant sales outlets. * Develop new distribution opportunities across Lagos and other parts of Nigeria. * Negotiate favourable stocking, distribution, and commercial arrangements with prospective business partners. * Identify opportunities for corporate book purchases, institutional partnerships, bulk orders, and special sales arrangements. * Research new markets, customer segments, and business opportunities that can increase the company’s revenue. * Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective business partners and customers. 3. Bookstore and Distribution Management * Identify and approach bookstores with the potential to stock the company’s publications. * Negotiate stocking arrangements, consignment agreements, and other mutually beneficial commercial terms. * Maintain relationships with existing stockists and regularly monitor inventory, sales performance, and stock movement. * Follow up on outstanding payments, stock reconciliation, and reorders. * Ensure that bookstore relationships generate measurable commercial value rather than simply promotional visibility. * Explore opportunities for book displays, author features, reading events, book fairs, and other promotional activities. 4. Digital Sales and Marketing * Identify and utilise appropriate digital platforms to generate book sales. * Develop creative approaches to promote the company’s books across social media, online communities, and relevant professional networks. * Work with the company’s marketing team or management to execute sales-driven promotional campaigns. * Explore opportunities for partnerships with book reviewers, influencers, reading communities, and relevant content creators. * Convert online enquiries, engagement, and promotional interest into actual purchases. * Identify new digital channels and opportunities for reaching readers in Nigeria and international markets. 5. Customer Relationship Management * Build and maintain relationships with individual customers, institutional buyers, bookstores, distributors, and business partners. * Respond professionally and promptly to enquiries. * Maintain regular communication with prospective and existing customers. * Understand customer needs and recommend suitable publications. * Encourage repeat purchases, referrals, and long-term customer relationships. * Maintain accurate records of customers, prospects, sales conversations, and follow-up activities. 6. Sales Reporting and Accountability * Prepare weekly and monthly sales reports detailing activities, results, and performance. * Maintain an organised sales pipeline showing prospects, follow-ups, negotiations, confirmed orders, and completed sales. * Report actual revenue generated, books sold, outstanding payments, and new business opportunities. * Track the performance of promotional activities and identify which channels produce actual sales. * Provide management with market intelligence, customer feedback, competitor observations, and recommendations for improving sales. * Take ownership of assigned targets and demonstrate accountability for results. Required Qualifications and Experience * A Bachelor’s degree, HND, or equivalent qualification in Marketing, Business Administration, Sales Management, Communications, or a related discipline. * Minimum of 2–3 years of demonstrable experience in sales, business development, customer acquisition, or related commercial roles. * A proven record of generating sales and converting prospective customers into paying clients. * Experience in publishing, bookselling, educational services, media, retail, or distribution will be an advantage. * Strong negotiation, presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills. * Demonstrated ability to develop new business opportunities and maintain customer relationships. * Good understanding of digital sales channels and social media platforms. * Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, spreadsheets, and customer relationship management tools. * Ability to prepare clear sales reports and interpret basic sales performance data. Essential Skills and Personal Attributes The ideal candidate must demonstrate: * Results orientation: A strong focus on achieving measurable sales outcomes rather than merely completing assigned activities. * Business development ability: The confidence and resourcefulness to identify opportunities, approach decision-makers, and develop new commercial relationships. * Persuasion and negotiation: The ability to communicate value, handle objections, negotiate effectively, and close sales. * Initiative: The ability to work independently, identify problems, and develop practical solutions without waiting for constant instructions. * Persistence: The determination to follow up on opportunities and overcome reasonable sales objections. * Commercial intelligence: An understanding of customers, market opportunities, pricing, competition, and revenue generation. * Integrity: Honesty, professionalism, transparency, and responsible handling of company funds and business relationships. * Organisation: The ability to manage multiple prospects, sales activities, deadlines, and reporting responsibilities. * Adaptability: Willingness to explore different sales approaches and adjust strategies based on measurable results. Performance Indicators and Key Performance Areas Performance will be assessed based on measurable commercial outcomes, including: 1. Monthly revenue generated from book sales. 2. Number of books sold through direct and institutional sales. 3. Number of new bookstores and distribution partners successfully onboarded. 4. Number of qualified sales leads generated and converted into paying customers. 5. Number and value of bulk sales and corporate purchase agreements. 6. Growth in sales from existing stockists. 7. Customer retention, repeat purchases, and referrals. 8. Effectiveness of sales campaigns and promotional activities. 9. Quality, accuracy, and consistency of sales reporting. Important: Performance will not be measured by the number of calls made, emails sent, bookstores visited, or promotional conversations held alone. These activities must translate into meaningful business opportunities and, ultimately, measurable sales results. Specific sales targets will be established with management, taking into consideration the company’s products, available resources, market opportunities, and agreed sales strategy. What We Offer * An opportunity to contribute to the growth of a purpose-driven publishing company. * A performance-oriented working environment. * Opportunities to develop professional relationships across the publishing, retail, educational, and corporate sectors. * Competitive remuneration based on experience and suitability. * Performance-based incentives and commission structures, subject to company policy. * Opportunities for professional growth and increased responsibility based on performance. Application Requirements Interested and qualified candidates should submit: 1. An updated CV. 2. A brief cover letter explaining why they are suitable for the position. 3. A summary of their previous sales or business development experience. 4. Evidence of measurable sales achievements from previous e