Head of Grinding, Bulk, Pyro and Smelting - TSS at Metso

• We are seeking a Head of GBPS - Technical Sales Support - Africa to join our Technical Support Product Team.
• This position assures a high competence to manage a Technical Support Product team, within Metso -  Africa Market Area, towards end users, distributors/agents as well as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).  Primary activities will include managing a team to support on selected product portfolio offering, as well as technical support for product application, life cycle along with process, warranty and pricing support.  The incumbent is responsible to manage a team that supports and coordinates complex technical specifications for quotes, etc.
• The Technical Sales Support Head GBPS will participate with and assist the Market Area sales teams to develop a jointly owned market product strategy and action plan for the related products for the specific market area, in line with the agreement of the related product line strategies.
• In this position, you will report to the Director, Technical Sales Support – Africa.
• This position is mainly located in Centurion, Gauteng.

TEAM YOU BELONG TO

• The Head of GBPS - TSS will support sales teams with clear focus of sales strategy of related products via pro-active actions and initiatives.  Thinking in terms of a high service and support level and building confidence, the Head of GBPS - TSS will liaise with the Global Business Area (BA), Product Line (PL) functions, MA Sales teams and customers.  In addition, Head of GBPS - TSS will ensure his team will conduct product training programs both internal and external.  This role is considered and extension of the Global Product Support role.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Ensure technical offering is in line with customer’s needs
• Managing a strong technical team
• Application and process support
• Strong link to Business Lines in the Grinding, Bulk, Pyro and Smelting portfolio
• Understanding of Business Line strategies in the Market area
• Agreement with the Market area sales teams on applying the strategies
• Long view of Product Sales Funnel and proactive development of opportunities
• Assist in Financial Forecasting
• Provide relevant reports
• Installed base understanding and upkeep    
• Participate in inventory planning and campaigning   
• Warranty support and problem solving
• Market Price collection and market analyses regarding competitive activity market and pricing trends, etc.
• Pricing Management in line with agreed Product line objectives
• Support and coordination on technical complex quotes etc.
• Product selection and product configuration support for the specific and complex application areas as well as product line rules for service life guarantees etc.
• Provide support towards the supply operations regarding demands on availability and reliability, product utilization and bundling, re-configuration of product, etc.
• Enhance sales team knowledge of the related products via regular product updates, internal marketing campaigns, technical support and competency development by providing internal product training programs
• Enhance end customers, distributors and OEM’s knowledge of the related products by providing external product training programs
• Assist in developing and implementing market product strategies for the related products together with MA sales management
• Execute and review the result of the Market and Product strategy agenda
• Establish and maintain a good company image by ensuring all Metso customer contact points get a high competence application, process and up-to-date product support
• Work with the MA sales teams and MA marketing communications team to develop effective marketing programs to maximize creation of new business opportunities on the related products
• Regularly travel with MA sales resources to support selling efforts, monitor distribution resource competencies and end user satisfaction. Work with the MA sales teams on required corrective actions
• Plan end customer visits aligned with the MA sales team
• Extensive international travel
• Interact and participate as a part of the MA Sales team at the specific markets and be aligned with their processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management from time to time

WHO YOU ARE

• Matric (Grade 12)
• Diploma in Engineering or Metallurgy, or similar
• Minimum 5 plus years field experience from the related products
• Minimum 5 years plus in managing a team
• High demand on up-to-date technical product specialist knowledge
• Very high demand in knowledge of the mining and supporting industries
• Process and application knowledge and advantage
• Experience in complex matrix relationships
• High understanding of and experience of sales strategies and financials 
• Sales Funnel management and opportunity development
• A strong understanding of core processes of the Metso customer base

WHAT SKILLS, COMPETENCIES AND REQUIREMENTS (HARD AND SOFT) ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THIS ROLE?

• Position requires support management expertise and management, good customer relation skills, ability to work within a team environment, mechanical aptitude, creativity, innovation, and ability to see the larger picture
• High sense of urgency and passion for service and support
• Supervision skills
• Strong relationship building skills, a bias for action and detail-oriented behaviours
• A high level of computer skills is essential – Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access
• Highly motivated individual with the ability to work under stress and meet the deadlines
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere
• Client skills including building and managing relationships, negotiation skills and understanding of customer needs and market requirements
• Must be capable of effectively and accurately working on several projects at one time, and organizing, prioritizing tasks and working in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication, co-operation, interpersonal and presentation skills to manage internal and external interfaces
• Ability to travel regularly
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear
• The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, climb and balance
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, colour vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Use of keyboards, telephones, copiers, telefax, visits and movement through shops, and travel experiences
• Climbing of stairs, ladders, scaffolds at jobsites and customer facilities
• Full driver’s license with clean drivers record