Country Manager, South Africa

Esco; City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A global life sciences company is seeking a Country Manager to lead operations in South Africa. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of hands-on sales experience in the laboratory equipment industry, proven leadership skills, and a strategic mindset. This role involves managing the sales team, developing strategies for market penetration, and driving business growth in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on sales experience in the life-sciences laboratory equipment industry.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics and business development practices.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the sales team to achieve revenue targets.
• Develop and implement effective sales strategies to penetrate new markets.
• Manage pre-sales activities to support sales efforts.
• Recruit, train, and mentor sales and marketing personnel.
• Collaborate with senior management for long-term strategic planning.
• Analyze financial performance and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Hands-on sales experience

Leadership skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field

MBA

Job description

About us

Esco Lifesciences Group is a world-leading manufacturer of laboratory, pharmaceutical equipment, bioprocess tools and IVF medical devices, delivering sustainable workflow solutions to advance global health. Since 1978, the Singapore-based company is committed to excellence, ensuring forward-thinking technology, responsive support, and reliability, making Esco a trusted partner for the life science and medical markets in more than 150 countries.

Job Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Country Manager to spearhead our business operations in South Africa and neighboring countries. The ideal candidate will possess strong hands‑on sales experience and a proven track record in managing diverse functions, including sales, marketing, pre‑sales, services etc. This role requires an innovative leader who can build and scale a high‑performing sales team while driving overall business growth and profitability.

Job title

Country Manager, South Africa

Location

South Africa

Direct Manager

CEO

Key Responsibilities

Sales Management

• Lead and manage the sales team to achieve revenue targets and maximize market share in SA and neighboring countries.
• Develop and implement effective sales strategies and action plans to penetrate new markets and increase customer engagement.
• Monitor sales performance, provide coaching, and drive accountability within the team.
• Develop and manage distributors in SA and neighboring countries in Africa.

Marketing & Branding

• Oversee marketing efforts to ensure alignment with sales objectives and brand positioning in SA and related countries.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop campaigns that drive lead generation and brand awareness.

Pre‑Sales & Services

• Manage pre‑sales activities to support sales efforts and ensure customer solutions meet their needs.
• Oversee customer service operations & field service to enhance client satisfaction and retention.

Team Development

• Recruit, train, and mentor sales and marketing personnel to build a strong team capable of achieving business objectives.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, performance excellence, and teamwork.

Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with senior management to develop long‑term strategic plans for growth in the region.
• Assess market trends, competitive landscape, and customer needs to identify opportunities for expansion.

Financial Management

• Analyze financial performance and implement corrective actions as necessary.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of hands‑on sales experience in the life‑sciences laboratory equipment, instruments or related industry.
• A driven and highly motivated, self‑starting commercial professional with proven track record of successfully developing and executing business strategies and achieving revenue and profit growth.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics, product development, and business development practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to think strategically and make data‑driven decisions. Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities. Can work in global and matrixed structure.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.
• P&L management skills with a solid understanding of financial metrics is preferred.