Sales Engineer FHT at GEA Group

Responsibilities / Tasks

• Plan and carry out direct marketing and sales activities in conjunction with agreed budgets (Order intake, Sales, Gross Margins)
• Achieve sales related budgets and focus on growth opportunities in entire region (Southern and Eastern Africa)
• Maintain and develop existing and new customers through planned individual visits and liaise with internal order processing staff.
• Increase market penetration and coverage – by regular face to face meetings and interaction with customers and potential customers (Maintain iBase customers and Business Development)
• Carry out market research on competitors and market surveys.
• Plan, organize, lead, control and own complete sales cycle – Initial customer contact to Service Level Agreement post project execution.
• Maintain customer and opportunity data base on GEA SharePoint and record all sales activities on the Customer Relationship Management platform (CRM)
• This position requires a self-starter in order to complete tasks in a timeously manner.
• This position requires an individual with a mindset focused on continued improvement (“Hunter” mindset).
• Develop ideas and create offers for sales and marketing to all accounts. Respond to and follow up sales enquiries by telephone, e-mail and personal visits.
• Maintain and develop existing and new customers through planned individual account support and liaising with internal order-processing staff.
• Monitor and report on activities and provide relevant management information.
• Liaise and attend meetings with other company functions necessary to perform duties and aid business and organizational development.
• Attend training to develop relevant knowledge and skills.
• Liaise with relevant personnel in ordering, transporting, delivering and installation of equipment.
• Create a network of contacts across various disciplines that will provide advice on what resources are available both within and outside the organization.
• Remain confident when dealing with negative situations, convince others to have ideas and create new options, as well as encouraging and enthusing them to come up with imaginative solutions to difficult problems.

Your Profile / Qualifications

• Technical or marketing tertiary qualification.
• Min 5 years’ relevant experience in similar functions.
• Significant front sales experience, in a technical environment.
• Proven sales track record.
• Deep practical know-how of the complete sales process within a multinational company (e.g. ordering, pricing, CRM).
• Proven skills in international negotiation & contracting with customers in multiple countries.
• Strong understanding of corporate finance and performance management principles.
• Technical sales experience in the Food and Health Care industry will be an advantage.
• English (proficient).
• Deep understanding of business on a broad international scale with developed focus on customer needs and fulfilment of customer expectations.
• Open-minded and solution oriented, strong problem-solving skills.
• Well-developed Microsoft skills.
• Team player, good networker & negotiator. Very good communication skills, strong salesperson.
• Strong customer orientation - Ability to engage with customers at different levels.
• Good commercial understanding.
• Deep understanding of Global Compliance regulations.