Country Sales Director

North Dakota State University; Johannesburg; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rockwell Automation seeks a Country Sales Director based in Johannesburg, South Africa, to lead a sales team and drive growth across Sub-Saharan Africa. You'll foster key relationships, implement sales strategies, and ensure compliance with market demands, making a significant impact in the industrial automation sector.

Benefits

Comprehensive mindfulness programs

Paid Time Off after 6 months

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• 10+ years of sales experience in a technology-based organization.
• Experience in industrial automation products and B2B environment.
• Ability to travel 30% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Develop and nurture strategic executive-level relationships with key customers.
• Manage selling resources to increase market penetration and share.
• Implement sales and marketing strategies specific to the country.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Strategic Direction

Market Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Rockwell Automation is a global technology leader focused on helping the world's manufacturers be more productive, sustainable, and agile.

With more than 28,000 employees who make the world better every day, we know we have something special.

Behind our customers - amazing companies that help feed the world, provide life-saving medicine on a global scale, and focus on clean water and green mobility - our people are energized problem solvers that take pride in how the work we do changes the world for the better. We welcome all makers, forward thinkers, and problem solvers who are looking for a place to do their best work.

And if that's you, we would love to have you join us!

Job Description

As a Country Sales Director, you will provide strategic direction and maximize growth and performance for a sales team based in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa countries.

You will develop and nurture strategic executive-level relationships with key customers, partners, and other regional growth influences. We are looking for a leader capable of not only driving growth but also passionate about creating an inclusive environment that enables their team to make an impact, develop people, and align with the growth strategy.

The Country Sales Director, together with the team, will be primarily responsible for capitalizing on accelerated growth opportunities in the region, driving sales to direct large end users and machine builders, and partners buying through our authorized distribution network. Familiarity with the industrial market—manufacturing of goods across discrete, hybrid, or process environments—is mandatory.

This role is a key contributor to the global Sales & Marketing strategy and drives alignment with the EMEA regional priorities. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, under a hybrid working model, you will report to the Regional VP Sales - META.

Responsibilities

• Manage selling resources to increase market penetration and share, ensure market coverage, and provide appropriate customer focus.
• Implement sales and marketing strategies specific to the country, ensuring targets are met and long-term growth is achieved.
• Develop growth plans and support industry-specific activities.
• Monitor sales activities and take appropriate actions to meet regional sales targets.
• Allocate resources to opportunities and match skills to needs.
• Build relationships with senior levels at main customers and contribute to the sales process.
• Collaborate with channels management to increase market reach and ensure sales coverage.
• Ensure reporting and the use of sales and customer relationship management tools.
• Develop and implement individual sales goals and actions for the sales team.
• Support marketing planning and coordinate activities with other Rockwell Automation resources.

Business & Leadership

• Draft and implement annual budgets, monitor progress, and achieve targets.
• Maintain awareness of competitive strategies, market trends, and their impact on local business.
• Share best practices and provide guidance to the sales team.
• Lead change management and foster a performance-driven culture.
• Ensure staff competence, team spirit, and well-being through evaluation and training.
• Ensure compliance with company ethics and policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 10+ years of sales experience, including at least 5 years in a technology-based organization.
• Exposure to customers in Africa is a major plus.
• Experience delivering strategy and exceeding results in technology solutions, especially in the machine builder market.
• Knowledge of implementing BBBEE strategies.
• Ability to travel 30% of the time.
• Experience in industrial automation products, B2B environment, and driving ARR models.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive mindfulness programs and a premium membership to Calm.
• Paid Time Off after 6 months for eligible employees.
• Company volunteer and donation matching programs.
• Employee Assistance Program and personalized wellbeing programs.
• On-demand digital courses and other local benefits.

At Rockwell Automation, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway.

You may be just the right person for this or other roles.