Robin Coen
Meyerton
Summary
Transformational Chief Executive Officer with over 30 years’ experience in driving strategic growth and operational efficiency. Expertise in building high-performing teams, optimising processes, and cultivating strong client relationships to enhance profitability. Proven ability to identify market opportunities, launch innovative products, and implement sustainable practices. Committed to aligning corporate goals with stakeholder interests and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
Overview
3
3
Languages
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
Matus (a division of Bidvest)
Germiston, South Africa
01.2020 - 08.2026
- Spearheaded strategic direction and vision, fostering organisational growth and market expansion.
- Developed high-performing teams to consistently exceed goals, drive revenue and expand markets.
- Launched innovative products and services, driving revenue growth and market share.
- Negotiated high-value contracts with suppliers and clients, securing favourable terms.
- Oversaw strategic business decision-making to develop, enhance and enforce business mission.
- Defined clear mission and vision to provide direction and purpose for organisation, supporting overall business plan.
- Cultivated strong industry relationships to promote services and improve business operations.
- Communicated with clients to meet fiduciary obligations, strengthen relationships and define client objectives.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and operational excellence.
- Tracked organisational performance against objectives and revamped strategies to better meet targets.
- Established company targets based on previous performance and predicted forecasts.
- Monitored operations to keep processes aligned with targets and matching forecasts.
- Implemented policies and procedures to provide roadmap for day-to-day operations and achieve organisational success and longevity.
- Championed customer service excellence, instigating initiatives to elevate client satisfaction levels.
- Oversaw talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies to build a high-performing team.
- Selected and mentored senior staff, creating a successful leadership team.
- Conducted performance reviews, setting clear objectives and KPIs for senior management.
- Kept organisation in compliance with regulations and internal requirements.
- Guided corporate governance and compliance, adhering to legal standards and regulatory requirements.
- Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives, creating a supportive and equitable workplace environment.
- Facilitated organisational restructuring to improve agility and response to market changes.
- Directed comprehensive market analysis to identify opportunities for competitive advantage.
- Managed crisis situations, formulating response strategies to mitigate risks and protect the brand.
- Attended industry events, conferences and trade shows to promote products and network with business owners and prospective clients.
- Initiated sustainability programmes, committing to environmental responsibility and ethical practices.
- Reported successes, failures and new plans to governing body to guide decision-making.
- Reviewed reports, recommendations and requests from subordinate leadership.
- Developed successful strategies and policies, meeting organisational needs and implementing improvements.
- Oversaw planning sessions and team-building events to motivate employees to work well together in obtaining goals, establishing rapport and trust.
- Harnessed market gaps by utilising innovative concepts and creative approaches, increasing year-end profits.
- Participated in labour contract negotiations with the union to successfully achieve new agreement representing mutually agreed elements.
- Conducted a feasibility study to weigh pros and cons of developing organisation, maximising strengths and improving weaknesses.
- Established and monitored KPIs to gather insight and gauge progress, maintaining understanding of business operations.
- Reported successes, failures and new plans to governing body to guide decision-making.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and operational excellence.
Sales & Marketing Director
DAWN (Distribution & Warehousing Network)
Germiston
01.2006 - 12.2019
- Led a team of 50 sales and marketing professionals to achieve and surpass targets.
- Developed and implemented innovative marketing campaigns that enhanced brand visibility.
- Executed successful marketing events, open houses and display shows for products.
- Negotiated high-value contracts with clients, ensuring mutual benefit and long-term partnerships.
- Tailored sales pitches to diverse client needs, securing a high conversion rate.
- Fostered strong relationships with key industry players and stakeholders to secure lucrative deals.
- Motivated sales staff to continuously improve strategies through competitions and personalised coaching plans.
- Collaborated sales teams obtain information to create effective sales strategies, such as customer requests and recurring issues.
- Analysed current strategies for strengths and weaknesses and adjusted approaches to maintain sales trajectory.
- Studied competitors to understand market, evaluate strengths and weaknesses and create a strategic roadmap for the future.
- Analysed market trends to adjust strategies accordingly, maximising profitability.
- Optimised sales methods to best acquire, develop and retain customers.
- Created performance reports on sales, customers, purchases awareness and other growth metrics to identify targets met and set new goals for extended growth.
- Scheduled initial consultations to assess customer needs and requirements, developing productive and long lasting relationships.
- Evaluated existing accounts to engage customers and generate sales leads to maintain client retention.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers and vendors, securing favourable terms and pricing.
- Maintained outstanding customer relationships by providing excellent support and resolving issues promptly and effectively.
- Maintained outstanding customer relationships by providing excellent support and solving queries both over the phone and in person.
- Demonstrated outstanding networking and relationship-building skills, effectively aiding growth in B2B settings.
- Facilitated professional development workshops for sales and marketing teams, elevating skill levels.
- Monitored performance metrics to adjust strategies and achieve sales targets effectively.
- Designed innovative selling propositions to enable the product to stand out and attract and retain customers.
- Worked with tireless drive and enthusiasm to consistently exceed monthly sales targets.
- Registered customer information on a database to store accurate records, acquire speedy accessibility and organise prospect demographics.
- Organised trade shows and exhibitions, showcasing products to potential clients and partners.
- Developed short-term and long-term goals with the team to build brand, improve rankings and drive business success.
- Conducted thorough analysis on target markets by sending surveys, assessing CRMs, holding focus groups and managing interviews.
- Registered customer information on a database to store accurate records, acquire speedy accessibility and organise prospect demographics.
- Developed short-term and long-term goals with the team to build brand, improve rankings and drive business success.
Sales & Marketing Director
Saffer
Johannesburg
01.1994 - 12.2004
- Developed innovative marketing campaigns to drive substantial sales.
- Built new business partnerships to drive customer acquisition and generate revenue.
- Studied competitors to understand the market, evaluate strengths and weaknesses and create a strategic roadmap for the future.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers and vendors, securing favourable terms and pricing.
- Fostered strong relationships with key industry players and stakeholders to secure lucrative deals.
- Nurtured and managed high-profile clients effectively, maximising profit potential through continued customer loyalty.
- Optimised sales methods to best acquire, develop and retain customers.
- Monitored performance metrics to adjust strategies and achieve sales targets effectively.
- Motivated sales staff to continuously improve strategies through competitions and personalised coaching plans.
- Designed innovative selling propositions to enable the product to stand out and attract and retain customers.
- Collaborated sales teams obtain information to create effective sales strategies, such as customer requests and recurring issues.
- Monitored customer feedback to refine sales tactics and improve service quality continually.
- Analysed market trends and customer feedback to inform product development and positioning.
- Responded to customer queries to provide information regarding product specifications and uses, delivering smooth and positive communication.
- Maintained outstanding customer relationships by providing excellent support and resolving issues promptly and effectively.
- Maintained outstanding customer relationships by providing excellent support and solving queries both over the phone and in person.
- Used exceptional organisation and planning abilities to manage high volumes of international clients.
- Worked with tireless drive and enthusiasm to consistently exceed monthly sales targets.
- Proactively built profitable client bases through targeted cold calling and lead nurturing.
- Established pricing and delivery terms based on current market trends and costs.
- Selected, trained and performance-managed staff to handle a high workload with ambitious targets.
- Selected, trained and performance-managed staff to handle a high workload with ambitious targets.
Education
Matric - General
Damelin College
Johannesburg, GP01-1984
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Business development
- Market analysis
- Revenue growth
- Corporate governance
- Risk management
- Board reporting
- Operations management
- Organisational management
- Business process improvement
- Client relationship management
- Customer management
- Leadership effectiveness
- Team building and training
- Executive presence
Languages
English
Advanced
C1
Afrikaans
Advanced
C1
Sesotho
Intermediate
B1
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
Matus (a division of Bidvest)
01.2020 - 08.2026
Sales & Marketing Director
DAWN (Distribution & Warehousing Network)
01.2006 - 12.2019
Sales & Marketing Director
Saffer
01.1994 - 12.2004
Matric - General
Damelin College