Education Sales Specialist

Smd Technologies; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

SMD Technologies is seeking an Education Sales Specialist to drive new business in the education sector across South Africa. The role focuses on identifying opportunities in universities, colleges, schools, NGOs and education groups, and building strong relationships with key decision-makers.

You will prospect, develop accounts and create a robust pipeline for technology, equipment and broader education solutions, including labs and classrooms. Travel to client sites will be required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years' experience in B2B sales.
• Proven experience in new-business development.
• Experience selling technology, educational equipment or workplace solutions.
• Experience working with schools, universities, colleges, NGOs or other educational organisations.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Self-motivated, target-driven and comfortable working independently.

Responsibilities

• Identify and prospect for new education-sector opportunities.
• Target universities, colleges, schools, education groups and NGOs.
• Research institutions to identify procurement, IT, facilities and finance decision-makers.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in educational institutions.
• Conduct cold calling, email prospecting, networking and face-to-face meetings.
• Prepare and coordinate proposals and quotations with internal teams.
• Follow up on prospects, quotations, projects and opportunities.
• Develop newly acquired clients into long-term, repeat customers.

Job description

SMD Technologies is a fast-growing retail and wholesale distribution business supplying a wide range of technology, electronics, workplace and lifestyle products to businesses and organisations across South Africa.

Job Purpose

We are looking for a proactive and field-driven Education Sales Specialist to develop new business opportunities across the education sector.

The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying and developing opportunities across universities, colleges, schools, education groups, NGOs and organisations involved in education projects. The role will involve actively visiting institutions, building relationships with key decision-makers and identifying opportunities for technology, equipment and broader education solutions.

This is a new-business and project-focused role, with the successful candidate expected to actively prospect, develop relationships, open new accounts and build a pipeline of education-related opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and prospect for new business opportunities within the education sector.
• Target universities, colleges, schools, education groups, NGOs and organisations involved in education projects.
• Research institutions and identify procurement, IT, facilities, finance and other relevant decision-makers.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders within educational institutions.
• Conduct cold calling, email prospecting, networking and face-to-face business-development activities.
• Arrange and attend meetings and site visits at educational institutions.
• Identify upcoming education projects, tenders, refurbishments, technology requirements and procurement opportunities.
• Identify client needs and recommend suitable SMD products and solutions.
• Promote products including computers, monitors, projectors, accessories, furniture and broader technology solutions.
• Identify opportunities for computer labs, classrooms, offices, student facilities and other institutional requirements.
• Develop relationships with organisations funding or implementing education projects.
• Prepare and coordinate proposals and quotations with internal teams.
• Follow up consistently on prospects, quotations, projects and outstanding opportunities.
• Develop newly acquired clients into long-term, repeat customers.
• Identify cross-selling and up-selling opportunities across SMD's product portfolio.
• Maintain accurate records of prospects, client visits, projects and sales opportunities.
• Work closely with internal sales administration and order-processing teams to ensure a smooth handover of confirmed business.
• Achieve agreed sales targets and business-development KPIs.
• Monitor education-sector developments, projects and procurement opportunities.
• Attend relevant industry events, exhibitions and networking opportunities.
• Perform other sales-related and ad hoc duties as required.

Requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Sales, Marketing, Business Management, Education or a related field will be advantageous.
• Minimum 2–3 years' experience in B2B sales, business development or a similar sales environment.
• Proven experience in new-business development and prospecting.
• Experience selling technology, electronics, educational equipment or workplace solutions will be advantageous.
• Experience working with schools, universities, colleges, NGOs or other educational organisations will be advantageous.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to identify business opportunities.
• Self-motivated, target-driven and comfortable working independently.
• Comfortable with field-based sales and regular client visits.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel for client meetings and site visits.

*SMD Technologies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles of employment equity. In accordance with the Company's Employment Equity Plan and the requirements of the Employment Equity Act, preference may be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups. Applications from persons with disabilities are encouraged.*