BID Account Manager II at Thermo Fisher Scientific

Position Summary:

An outstanding chance to join Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. as a BID Account Manager II in Johannesburg!

Plan performance and sales skills

• Attain or exceed assigned sales targets and market share goals consistently for the business portfolio
• Use selling skills to retain current business, expand existing accounts, and acquire new accounts through cold calling
• Apply data sources for analyzing and developing sales opportunities with the highest value
• Participate in sales training programs to develop appropriate selling skills

Account management

• Call on all levels and functional areas within assigned accounts which influence purchasing decisions
• Develop and implement a strategic business plan for handling the assigned territory on an annual basis
• Prepare RFQs for customers or supply chain, and engage in local tenders with Sales support or office administrator
• Formulate presentations and customer proposals for supply agreements/contracts and preferred vendor agreements
• Maintain and increase the current customer database through the Company customer relations management software (Salesforce CRM).
• Participate in customer exhibitions, conferences, and seminars as needed
• Understand the competitive landscape within accounts and deliver outstanding product offering

Communication, written and oral

• Regularly communicate successes, failures, guidelines, to improve the overall operating efficiency of the team, region, and sales organization
• Communicate key competitor activities, market trends, and changing customer direction within the organization
• Contact and return calls to research scientists at all accounts for sales presentations and information through telephone, e-mail, or personal visits daily

Technical comprehension

• Provide product and other relevant information to customers via daily phone contact and personal visits to generate incremental sales
• Apply a strong understanding of product features and applications to engage in successful consultative sales discussions and presentations
• Apply knowledge of existing and new customers and competitor dynamics
• Provide product demonstrations as needed

Time management

• Field travel is key (approx. 4 days per week)
• Meet or exceed set guidelines for the encouraged number of sales calls to be conducted per week

Other Job Requirements:

• Applicants must be proficient in English
• Valid, lawful driving license
• Must have a valid passport
• Need to travel locally in the region as well as internationally (annually)
• Must be a South African citizen

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires at least a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field; BSc Honours degree / equivalent experience preferred

Minimum Experience Level:

• At least 1-3 years of relevant work history (preference for laboratory and sales experience)
• Profound understanding of Molecular Biology, Protein and Cell Biology, and Sample Prep is imperative.
• Previous background in Life Sciences consumables sales is favored.
• Experience with customer contact, instructing, or public speaking
• Familiarity with accounts in the area is an advantage
• Proficient with computer applications, including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, or similar programs