Sales - Engineering & Manufacturing

Sales Person ? Engineering & Manufacturing (Purpose-Built Machinery) 

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa 

Department: Sales & Business Development 

Reporting to: Sales Manager / General Manager 

Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site / Field-Based 

Industry: Engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical / Automation, Purpose-Built Machinery 

1. Role Purpose 

The Sales Person is responsible for generating new business, developing client relationships, 

and driving sales of purpose-built machinery and engineered solutions. This role requires strong 

technical aptitude, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work within industrial and 

manufacturing environments. The successful candidate will identify opportunities, prepare 

proposals, manage the sales cycle, and support clients through to project handover. 

2. Key Responsibilities 

Sales & Business Development 

? Identify, pursue, and close new business opportunities within manufacturing, FMCG, 

mining, automotive, packaging, and industrial sectors. 

? Conduct prospecting activities including cold-calling, site visits, presentations, product 

demonstrations, networking, and industry event attendance. 

? Develop sales strategies for target markets and key accounts. 

? Prepare and deliver technical-commercial proposals, quotations, and tender 

documentation. 

? Conduct needs analysis to determine client production challenges and propose 

appropriate machinery solutions. 

Client Relationship Management 

? Build and maintain strong, long-term customer relationships. 

? Serve as primary contact for clients, providing ongoing support and technical guidance 

throughout the sales process. 

? Conduct regular follow-ups with clients to ensure satisfaction and identify upsell or 

cross-sell opportunities. 

Technical & Product Knowledge 

? Understand the company?s purpose-built machinery, engineering capabilities, and 

manufacturing processes. 

? Convert technical features into value propositions for customers. 

? Collaborate with engineering, design, and production teams to ensure customer 

requirements are accurately communicated. 

Sales Administration & Reporting 

? Maintain accurate CRM records of leads, opportunities, quotations, and sales activities. 

? Prepare weekly and monthly sales reports, forecasts, and pipeline updates. 

? Ensure all documentation (contracts, orders, specs) is accurate and complete. 

Project Coordination 

? Support project scoping, specification clarification, and costing with engineering teams. 

? Participate in project kick-o meetings where required. 

? Ensure client expectations are aligned with manufacturing and engineering delivery 

timelines. 

3. Required Qualifications & Experience 

? Matric (Required). 

? Technical qualification preferred: Electrical / Mechanical Engineering N6, Diploma, or 

related field. 

? 3?8 years? sales experience in engineering, manufacturing, industrial equipment, 

automation, or capital machinery sales. 

? Proven track record in selling complex, engineered or purpose-built machinery (highly 

advantageous). 

? Experience in preparing quotes, tenders, and technical proposals. 

? Valid driver?s licence and willingness to travel nationally. 

4. Skills & Competencies 

Technical Skills 

? Strong mechanical or electrical technical understanding. 

? Ability to interpret engineering drawings, machine specifications or production 

requirements. 

? Understanding of manufacturing environments and industrial processes. 

Sales Skills 

? Strong negotiation, closing, and objection-handling skills. 

? Ability to manage long sales cycles for capital equipment. 

? Strong presentation skills (technical and commercial). 

? Competent in CRM, MS O ice, and digital sales tools. 

Personal Competencies 

? Self-motivated and target-driven. 

? Excellent communication (verbal, written, and interpersonal). 

? Professional, ethical, and customer-focused. 

? Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team. 

? Strong problem-solving and analytical ability. 

? Mechanically curious and eager to learn advanced machinery concepts. 

5. KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) 

? Achieving monthly/quarterly/yearly sales targets. 

? Growth of new business and expansion of existing customers. 

? Quality and accuracy of proposals and quotations. 

? Customer satisfaction and repeat business. 

? Number of appointments, site visits, and presentations per month. 

? Pipeline value and conversion rate. 

? CRM and reporting compliance. 

6. Working Conditions 

? O ice-based with frequent travel to customer sites, factories, and industrial 

environments. 

? Occasional travel outside Gauteng. 

? Interaction with production floors, manufacturing equipment, workshops, and 

engineering design teams. 

7. Compensation 

Depending on experience and industry knowledge, typical ranges in Johannesburg include: 

? Basic salary (market-related based on experience). 

? Car allowance / company vehicle. 

? Fuel card, tools of trade (laptop, phone). 

? Commission / performance bonus. 

? Pension, medical aid, and other company benefits. 

8. Ideal Candidate Profile 

? Technically inclined sales professional with solid industrial or engineering exposure. 

? Enjoys solving customer problems and selling complex machinery solutions. 

? Strong hunter profile with the ability to close deals in high-value capital equipment 

markets. 

? Professional, well-presented, and confident engaging at all organisational levels (from 

factory managers to CEOs).