Permanent - External Sales Support - Steelpoort - South Africa

Location:  Steelpoort

Reporting to Branch Manager

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The External Sales Support role exists to drive business growth and customer satisfaction through the strategic promotion and sale of engines, parts, and services to clients in the mining and related sectors. Reporting to the Branch Manager, the incumbent serves as the key representative of the Steelpoort branch on customer sites—developing relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and aligning customer needs with the company's technical and service offerings

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Increase company's engine and field service sales through structured engagement with mining operations and related sectors. 

Drive sales of engines and services through relationship building and solution-based selling. 

Act as the face of the Steelpoort branch on-site, promoting trust and communicating the value of the company’s product and service offerings. 

Serve as the link between customers and internal technical/service teams, ensuring alignment between customer expectations and delivery capabilities. 

Identify and convert new business opportunities, including engine replacements, upgrades, and parts sales.

CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT:

Conduct a minimum of 8 site visits per week to current and prospective customers. 

Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline across mining and industrial operations.

Generate 3–5 new qualified leads per month to support sustainable business growth.

Develop and follow up on quotes in collaboration with internal sales support teams.

Submit weekly sales and market intelligence reports detailing sales activity, lead status, customer feedback, and competitor insights. 

Align engine sales with service plans, parts supply, and technical sup port packages to provide a full-service offering. 

Ensure a quote-to-sale conversion rate above 25% through effective value communication and relationship management.

TECHNICAL PROMOTION:

With support from internal technical and service teams, the External Sales Sup port role is responsible for:

Demonstrating the performance advantages of company's engines, aligned to the customer’s operational needs. 

Promoting the environmental and efficiency benefits of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) as part of the broader engine solution. 

Presenting the strengths and benefits of engines, positioning them effectively in competitive environments.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

Increased sales volumes in engines, part, parts, and field services. 

Improved customer satisfaction and reduced response times through  proactive support.

Strengthened company presence in the mining and industrial sectors. 

Enhance coordination and integration between external sales and internal service teams. 

Gaines a competitive advantage through superior technical support and customer engagement.

Accelerated revenue growth driven by comprehensive sales and service solutions.

Qualification and experience:

Matric

2-3 years of experience in sales experience

Driver licences

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

Diesel Engine Technology: 

In-depth understanding of engine models, particularly air-cooled and liquid-cooled engines. 

Familiarity with engine applications in construction, mining, agriculture, and power generation sectors.

Technical Sales & Application Engineering:

Knowledge of matching engine specs with OEM equipment requirements.

Understanding load profiles, duty cycles, emissions standards, and fuel efficiency metrics. 

Product & Service Offering 

Detailed knowledge of parts, service exchange engines, warranty policies, and maintenance contracts. 

Awareness of value-added services like condition monitoring, telematics, and aftermarket solutions. 

Market & Industry Insight:

Understanding of customer segments, industry trends, competitor landscape, and regulatory requirements (e.g., emissions compliance in South Africa). 

Knowledge of local and regional market dynamics and key OEM and end-user accounts.

Diesel Engine Technology:

In-depth understanding of engine models, particularly air-cooled and liquid-cooled engines. 

Familiarity with engine applications in construction, mining, agriculture, and power generation sectors.

Technical Sales & Application Engineering:

Knowledge of matching engine specs with OEM equipment requirements. 

Understanding load profiles, duty cycles, emissions standards, and fuel efficiency metrics

SKILLS:

Technical Sales Proficiency:

Ability to interpret technical drawings, engine performance curves, and installation layouts. 

Capability to deliver product demonstrations and site assessments. 

Communication & Presentation:

Strong verbal and written communication skills to present solutions confidently to technical and non-technical audiences. 

Skilled in proposal writing, tender responses, and customer presentations.

Negotiation & Closing:

Strong ability to negotiate pricing, contract terms, and payment structures. 

Proven record of closing deals and achieving sales targets.

Problem Solving:

Ability to identify customer pain points and recommend solutions. 

Quick thinking in handling objections, breakdown scenarios, or delivery delays.

Time & Territory Management:

Excellent planning skills for organizing customer visits, follow-ups, and travel. 

Ability to manage a sales territory efficiently and build strong customer relationships over time. 

Collaboration & Reporting o Work effectively with internal teams (technical support, parts, service, operations). o

Prepare and submit accurate reports, forecasts, and market intelligence

Attributes: 

Customer-Centric Mindset - Passion for solving customer problems and building long-term trust. 

Self-Motivation & Drive - Goal-oriented with a strong desire to exceed targets and grow the customer base. 

Professionalism & Integrity - Represents the company's brand with credibility, consistency, and ethical conduct. 

Resilience & Adaptability - Thrives under pressure, handles rejection constructively, and adapts to changing markets. 

Attention to Detail - Accuracy in quoting, specifying engines, and handling commercial documentation. 

Growth Mindset - Open to continuous learning, product training, and personal development