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- Tasks: Drive sales growth in Africa by managing distributors and direct customers.
- Company: Join Controls UK, a leader in construction materials testing with a global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work flexibility and the chance to travel across Africa.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values relationship-building and cultural diversity.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in technical sales, especially in the African market; degree in relevant field preferred.
- Other info: Opportunity to work independently while making a significant impact on sales performance.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
The Area Sales Manager will be responsible for maximizing the Company’s sales revenue through the development and expansion of distribution and direct sales channels in Africa. This includes maintaining relationships with existing distributors and direct customers, filling coverage gaps with new distributors, and performing direct sales activities to grow the customer base and increase market share. The position will report directly to the Export Sales Manager and require approximately 30% travel. This is a remote position.
Key Responsibilities
- Focus on protecting and increasing existing sales results and market penetration and expanding the customer base;
- Develop strong relationships with regional key customers in the territory;
- Search for new opportunities of sales, analyse the sales potential for each country and, in agreement with the Export Sales Manager, define action plans;
- Consistently achieve the territory’s annual sales target and increase sales from new and existing accounts;
- Identify, engage, and strengthen the distribution channel to fill any coverage gap or replace poor performing distributors;
- Monitor and manage distributor performance using KPI’s, scorecard methodology, and counter measures when necessary;
- Provide technical support and training to sales channels and direct customers;
- Ensure all opportunities and leads are accurately captured and reported within the Company’s CRM system;
- Track relevant projects and generate sales reports and forecasts as requested;
- Provide prompt follow-up on sales leads, quotes, tenders, and orders;
- Attend regional events promoting our products, providing technical information, supporting the local distributors and staying current on products and competitors;
- Provide market intelligence with the Company’s competitiveness and new product opportunities;
- Assist with AR collections as requested by the Company;
- Perform additional duties as may be assigned by the management.
Experience, Skills and Education
- 3-5 years with proven track record of successful technical sales, account management, and business development with at least 3 years in the African market required;
- Relative experience in the materials testing equipment market or similar preferred;
- Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent work experience) in marketing and sales, engineering, business or related field of study;
- Experience with projects and the tendering processes in Africa required;
- Ability to travel at least 30% of the time;
- Ability to interact with customers and distributors from different cultures required;
- Must be able to work well in an independent environment and be held accountable for performance including accurate and timely forecasting and sales delivery;
- Relationship-builder, networker, deal-closer who thrives in a multicultural environment;
- Strong computer skills with modern business software tools (CRM, MS Teams, MS Office);
- Excellent verbal and written communication in English (French is a plus but not mandatory).
Company Background
Controls is a market leader in the construction materials testing industry. Headquartered in Milan, Italy with four international branch offices in the UK, France, USA, and Poland, over 100 distributors worldwide and a dedicated team of highly experienced and knowledgeable specialists, we offer the largest and most capable technical sales and support network in the industry.
Area Sales Manager - Africa employer: CONTROLS TESTING EQUIPMENT LIMITED
Contact Detail:
CONTROLS TESTING EQUIPMENT LIMITED Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Sales Manager - Africa
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the materials testing equipment market, especially in Africa. Understanding the specific challenges and opportunities in this sector will help you engage more effectively with potential customers and distributors.
✨Tip Number 2
Network actively within the African market. Attend industry events, webinars, and trade shows to meet key players and build relationships that could lead to sales opportunities. This will also give you insights into local market trends.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your CRM skills. Being proficient in using CRM systems will not only help you manage leads and customer interactions efficiently but also demonstrate your organisational skills to the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with project management and tendering processes in Africa. Highlighting your past successes in these areas will show that you have the practical knowledge needed for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Sales Manager - Africa
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in technical sales and account management, especially within the African market. Emphasise any achievements related to increasing sales or expanding customer bases.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to build relationships with distributors and customers, as well as your understanding of the materials testing equipment market.
Showcase Cultural Competence: Given the multicultural environment of the role, include examples of how you've successfully interacted with diverse customers and distributors. This will show your ability to thrive in the varied cultural contexts of Africa.
Highlight Technical Skills: Since the position requires strong computer skills, ensure you mention your proficiency with CRM systems and business software tools like MS Office and MS Teams. Provide examples of how you've used these tools to manage sales processes effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at CONTROLS TESTING EQUIPMENT LIMITED
✨Research the Company and Market
Before your interview, make sure to thoroughly research Controls UK and its position in the construction materials testing industry. Understand their products, competitors, and market trends in Africa. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your interest and show how you can contribute to their success.
✨Highlight Your Sales Achievements
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your past sales successes, particularly in the African market. Use metrics to quantify your achievements, such as percentage increases in sales or successful account management strategies. This will showcase your ability to meet and exceed sales targets.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Awareness
Given the multicultural environment of the role, be ready to discuss your experience working with diverse teams and customers. Share examples of how you've successfully navigated cultural differences in previous roles, which will highlight your adaptability and relationship-building skills.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Have a list of insightful questions prepared to ask during the interview. Inquire about the company's growth plans in Africa, the challenges they face in the market, or how they measure distributor performance. This shows your engagement and genuine interest in the role and the company.
