Account Manager

Carl Zeiss (Pty.) Ltd., South Africa; Durban; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS is seeking an Account Manager in Durban, South Africa, to drive sales of the OPT devices and related consumables across the country. You will build relationships with customers and key opinion leaders in cataract surgery, and travel extensively to cover the territory.

The role requires 3-5 years in medical sales, strong communication and negotiation skills, and a proven ability to manage complex customer needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing or a related field.
• Three to five years of medical sales experience, ophthalmology preferred.
• Knowledge of theatre environment and ophthalmology market.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify new sales opportunities and build relationships within territory.
• Present products and solutions, clearly explaining features and value.
• Maintain relationships with existing customers to support retention and growth.
• Work toward personal sales targets and contribute to revenue objectives.
• Develop deep knowledge of ZEISS OPT devices and consumables in SA.
• Support key opinion leaders in cataract surgery with consultative input.
• Respond to customer queries and coordinate with colleagues to resolve issues.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity to inform sales strategy.
• Maintain records of customer interactions and pipeline in Salesforce.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing and service teams to implement promotions.

Skills

Sales experience

Account management

Ophthalmology/medical sales

Negotiation

Relationship building

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing or related field

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

ZEISS is technology and innovation. Founded in Germany in 1846, ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries across 50 countries. Wholly owned by a foundation, ZEISS is committed to responsibility in all its activities. Our employees push the boundaries of what is possible, creating value through quality and innovation and helping shape new ways of seeing the world.

We’re looking for an Account Manager to join us in Durban, South Africa, with extensive travel across the country. Join our ophthalmology business and support the ZEISS portfolio of OPT devices and related consumables in South Africa. You will work closely with customers and key opinion leaders in cataract surgery, building relationships and helping customers identify solutions that meet their needs.

Your Role

• Proactively identifying new sales opportunities, following up on leads and developing relationships with prospective customers within your designated territory.
• Understanding customer needs and presenting relevant products, services and solutions, clearly explaining their features, benefits and value.
• Building strong relationships with existing customers to support satisfaction, account retention and opportunities for further business.
• Working towards personal sales targets and contributing to wider revenue and profitability objectives through focused sales activity and effective negotiation.
• Developing detailed knowledge of the ZEISS portfolio and providing support for OPT devices and related consumables across South Africa.
• Supporting key opinion leaders in cataract surgery and maintaining constructive relationships with customers who have complex consultancy requirements.
• Responding to customer queries, complaints and specific problems, recording feedback and coordinating with colleagues to resolve issues.
• Monitoring market trends, competitor activity and industry developments, using these insights to identify opportunities and inform your sales approach.
• Maintaining accurate records of customer interactions, sales calls, opportunities and pipeline progress using Salesforce and relevant reporting tools.
• Collaborating with sales, marketing, customer service and other departments to implement promotional strategies and provide coordinated customer support.
• Following company policies, procedures and relevant industry regulations in all sales and customer activities.

Your Experience

A bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing or a related field. Three to five years of professional experience in medical sales. Knowledge and experience of working in a theatre environment. Excellent knowledge of the regional ophthalmology market and an understanding of customer needs. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Salesforce. Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain product value and build lasting customer relationships. Strong organisational and time management skills to balance customer visits, follow-ups, sales activity and administration. The ability to work independently, take ownership of personal targets and collaborate effectively as part of a team. A proactive approach.

It would be desirable if you had:

• Medical sales experience specifically within ophthalmology.
• Previous sales experience in a B2B or B2C environment.

Role Details

Location: Durban, South Africa.

Travel: Extensive travel throughout South Africa.

Transport: You must have your own reliable vehicle.

Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That’s just what our employees are doing every single day – in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements. After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people. In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long-term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together. Join us today. Inspire people tomorrow.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.