Sales Engineer

Minimum requirements:

• Matric / Grade 12
• Certificate in Sales and Marketing or equivalent (NQF 5)
• Diploma in Sales and Marketing or equivalent (NQF 6)
• 3 years as a Sales Representative or similar role within the Manufacturing or retail environment
• Computer Literacy (Basic MS Office; and SAP, ERP Systems and other job-specific software systems)
• Communication skills (both verbal and written)

Responsibilities:

• Implements sales initiatives in accordance with Industrial Strategy and Plan
• Provides monthly feedback and reporting to the Business Manager: Industrial on status for existing and new business
• Analyses and provides feedback on buying patterns of customers in geographical area in order to meet target objectives
• Ensures that technical developments in the market are reported to the Business Manager: Industrial for escalation to the Technical / Marketing team on an ongoing basis
• Ongoing tracking and reporting on competitor activity in the region
• Sales Operations and Optimization
• Provides ideas to increase sales; grows market share to budget requirements ensuring target achievement
• In conjunction with the Business Manager: Industrial provides input to the development of model stock for each customer to decrease rotations
• Determines POS material requirements per customer
• Makes recommendations on product enhancements for improved sales potential
• Identifies potential dealers and distributors for new- and cross-selling business opportunities
• Updates customer database and ensures accuracy of all master data per geographical area (critical for CRM purposes)
• Resolve or escalate all customer queries/complaints according to relevant company policies and procedures
• Customer Service and Business Relationships
• Represents the company in meetings with relevant stakeholders
• Identifies and solves problems creatively whilst demonstrating a high level of integrity in line with company core values
• Builds and sustains sound relationships, both internally and externally toward the achievement of business objectives
• Educates customers to ensure they remain updated with technical product changes
• Implements new marketing- and promotion ideas; and assists customers in aligning their strategy with that of the Company marketing strategy
• Visits customers and potential new customers according to a set of daily calling cycle and, if applicable, a new business development schedule
• Assists customers in credit applications and opening of new accounts
• Analyse and provide feedback on buying patterns of customers in geographical area in order to meet target objectives
• Assess and manage all warranty claims, according to set policies & procedures, with the exception of those weeks attended to by service representatives
• Provide ideas to increase sales within the area of responsibility
• Build and sustain great customer service levels and business relationships in support of business objectives
• Build and sustain good internal service levels and business relationships with the Central functions in support of business objectives (Finance, HR, Marketing, Operations etc.)
• Training of customers to ensure customers are kept up to date with technical product changes
• Implementation of new marketing and promotion ideas and assist customers in aligning their strategy with that of the Company marketing strategy
• Monitor monthly sales per customer, understanding reasons for volume gains / declines
• Resolves or escalates all customer queries / complaints according to relevant company policies and procedures
• Assesses and manages all warranty claims, according to set policies and procedures (with the exception of those attended to by service representatives)
• Ensures compliance to all relevant company sales and operations policies and procedures
• Identifies, reports and mitigates risks or areas of concern to management within own department and area of responsibility
• Monthly reporting and meetings with the Business Manager: Industrial to feedback status for existing and new business
• Implements initiatives in accordance with the Marketing Strategy
• Managing market share for all types of solar energy and renewable products
• Maintain and monitor market share on a monthly basis
• Grow market share to budget requirements ensuring target achievement
• Feedback on sales activity is done monthly at the Industrial Review meeting at Business Unit Level
• Ensure that technical developments in the market are reported to the Business Manager: Industrial for escalation to the Technical/Marketing team on an ongoing basis
• Ongoing tracking and reporting on competitor activity in the region
• Cost and Financial Control
• Conducts regular pricing surveys in the region and report findings to the Business Manager: Industrial so as to maintain and grow market share
• Ensures relevant sales targets are achieved in accordance with budgetary stipulations / requirements
• Regularly meets and discusses action plans regarding overall debtors as per standard trading terms and conditions
• Ensures adherence to the expense policy and that operational costs are curbed by reducing unnecessary expenses
• Ensures discounts are managed in accordance with set parameters