Sales Engineer

SUMMARY:
Job title:  Sales Engineer
Location: Silverton
Remuneration: R40k - R45k experience dependent

POSITION INFO:
Our client is a Specialist Vehicle Modifier, providing products and services to South African OEM’s and modified vehicles into specialized applications.

PURPOSE
The Sales Engineer role will be responsible for:
For increasing the Sales Revenue and Profitability of modified vehicle products locally and into Africa.
Contributing to the growth of the Modifications Business growth, through meeting customer requirements delivering quality solutions.
Time achieving the objectives of achieving and exceeding the revenue and profitability of the division.

Functional Responsibilities
Principal Accountabilities:
Establish a Sales Plan with the Management Team agreeing on focus markets and industries to grow the clients' Footprint in South Africa.
Participate in the development of modification products for the clients' facility based on customer feedback and requests.
Lead proposal efforts including completing project scoping and assessments.

Specific Responsibilities and Objectives:
Direct sales calls and sales development in assigned regions but also elsewhere as necessary.
Identify market potential and provide feedback to assist with the development of specific modification offerings required in specific markets.
Active Sales of available, application specific modifications.
Regular contact with customers including routine ‘follow-ups’ with active quote customers.
Develop strategies for improved market penetration.
Monitor and evaluate the activities, products and pricing of the competition.
Review market analysis to determine customer needs, price schedules, and discount rates.
Advise fleet customers and Ford distributors concerning QVM product availability.
Deliver sales presentations to key clients, grow and maintain relationships and negotiate and close deals.
Contribute to ensure an excellent sales-oriented web site is maintained.
Prepare Monthly Sales Reports and feedback for the Management Team.
Plan and conduct market research to identify opportunities for increased sales understanding why sales quotes have not been converted – Lost Sales Report.
Assist in other non-vehicle sales of the Group’s products/services on an as needed basis.

Knowledge Responsibilities:
Continually develop knowledge in the industry sectors of clients and stay up-to-date with developments in the OEMs products and changes in the vehicle modification industry.
Act as an SME (subject matter expert) to help develop the knowledge and understanding of the team and colleagues.
Develop as a “thought leader”, working with marketing to develop content for the clients' websites, publications and social media channels.

Financial Responsibilities:
Provide input contributing to the contents of the business plan, Budget and Objectives and ensure they are aligned with the group strategy and vision
Working with key colleagues, develop commercially attractive pricing models with acceptable profit margins
Accurately forecast revenue, profitability, margins based on Sales Pipeline feedback.

Travel Requirements:
Regular local travel visiting Dealers, Customers and End Users all over South Africa.
Occasional overseas travel as required.

Education/Certification:
Whilst specific education/certification is not required it is probable the successful candidate will be educated to degree level
Driver’s license

Knowledge, Skills, And Experience:
Essential:
A successful track record in the field of Technical Sales.
Experience in modified vehicle sector advantageous (could include car, trucks, buses etc.)
Comfortable managing a productive but often flexible work schedule
Experience of working with African Markets advantageous.

Other:
Strong presentation skills
Ability to motivate self.
Knowledge of Dealership Operations a plus
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Dynamic and energetic personality
Able to mediate and arbitrate on contentious issues
Multilingual

Competencies:
The incumbent must have the following abilities:
Achievement: Ability to set goals and priorities maximizing the use of available resources to consistently deliver results in line with corporate directions, departmental objectives and customer expectations.
Verbal and Written Communication: Ability to express ideas effectively in individual and group situations adjusting style and methods to the specific needs of the audience.
Strategic Thinking: Ability to perceive the organization’s current and future nature, capabilities and potentials within its evolving socio-economic, technological and political environment.
Teamwork: Ability to work co-operatively with others, as opposed to working separately or competitively.