Exports Area Manager (Automotive Component - OE and Aftermarket)

Headhunters; Remote; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking an experienced Export Area Manager based in Johannesburg. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in Sales and Marketing, particularly within the manufacturing sector and Sub-Saharan Africa. This role involves significant travel and requires strong communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills. The position offers a competitive cost-to-company package with performance-based incentives, and a relevant degree in Sales and Marketing is mandatory.

Benefits

Competitive cost-to-company package

Performance-based incentives

Qualifications

• 5–8 years’ experience in Sales and Marketing within a manufacturing environment.
• At least 3 years’ exposure to the Sub‑Saharan Africa sales environment.
• Strong computer literacy.
• Ability to manage people effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement action plan for strategic goals.
• Monitor export and distribution policies for compliance.
• Identify and target new business opportunities.
• Manage customer relationships to ensure retention.
• Contribute to budget preparation and monitor expenditures.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Relationship-building skills

Proactive and action-oriented

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Sales and Marketing (NQF 7)

Bachelor’s Honours Degree in Sales and Marketing (NQF 8)

Tools

MS Office Suite

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

Our client, operating in the Manufacturing Industry (OE and Aftermarket automotive components); is currently looking to employ an experienced Export Area Manager to be based in East Rand.

Based in Johannesburg, this role is field based with travel across Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Botswana.

Requires resilience and ability to manage challenges in a dynamic, cross-border environment.

Recruiters overview

• The position is based in Johannesburg and is not office-bound.
• The role requires a high level of resilience, particularly in navigating the challenges associated with operating across the African continent.
• Initial focus markets will include Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Botswana.
• A minimum of five years’ proven experience selling and marketing a similar product within those markets would be highly advantageous.
• The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong hunter profile, with a proactive new‑business development mindset rather than an account maintenance focus.
• Well‑developed communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills are essential for success in this role.
• A competitive cost‑to‑company package is offered, inclusive of performance‑based incentives.
• A relevant formal tertiary qualification in Sales and Marketing is a prerequisite for consideration.
• This is a middle‑management position, reporting directly to the Export Manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Sales and Marketing or related field (NQF 7).

• Bachelor’s Honours Degree in Sales and Marketing or related field (NQF 8) will be advantageous.

• 6–8 years’ experience in Sales and Marketing within a manufacturing environment.

• At least 3 years’ exposure to the Sub‑Saharan Africa (SSA) sales environment.

• Strong computer literacy (MS Office Suite, SAP, ERP systems, and job‑specific software).

• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).

• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills.

• Proactive, action‑oriented, and resilient.

• Strong relationship‑building and customer‑focused approach.

• Ability to plan, organise, and manage people effectively.

Responsibilities, but not limited to:

Achieving Sales Targets and Market Share (40%)

• Develops and implements an action plan to meet strategic goals and export strategy, aligned with the Export Manager and overall business strategy.

• Adheres to and monitors all applicable policies and procedures governing export and distribution relationships to ensure sound business practice and compliance.

• Conducts bi‑weekly SBO meetings with the Export Manager on the status of new business.

• Identifies and targets new business opportunities and prepares detailed business cases.

• Introduces new marketing and promotional initiatives and ensures alignment with the Company’s Marketing Strategy.

Stock Management (5%)

• Monitors customer buying patterns to support monthly stock forecasting.
• Ensures proper planning and monitoring of consignment stock in line with stock movement.
• Assists customers in managing their own stock levels and product mix.
• Liaises with the Warehouse on an ongoing basis to ensure optimal stock availability and to resolve outstanding queries.

Debtors Management (10%)

• Co‑responsible, together with the Debtors Department, for effective and timetous collection of outstanding monies.

• Ensures customers operate within agreed credit terms and assists in resolving debtor‑related queries.

• Proactively manages high‑risk customer accounts and liaises with Debtors on corrective action plans.

• Communicates with customers regarding credit terms, statements, and payments.

Document Control and Administration (10%)

• Ensures all relevant permits are valid and renewal requests are actioned timetously, in conjunction with the Export Administrator.

• Canvasses and opens new customer accounts based on viability assessments.

• Assists with the credit application process.

• Provides customers with stands, point‑of‑sale material, and claims procedure training.

• Updates the customer database with new and amended customer information.

• Prepares monthly calling cycles prior to the start of each month.

• Compiles and updates call sheets for each customer after every visit.

Governance (5%)

• Monitors the operation of controls and procedures to ensure system integrity.

• Identifies and monitors departmental risks.

• Develops and maintains a risk register and tracks the implementation of corrective actions.

• Implements action plans to address internal and external audit findings and monitors progress.

• Ensures compliance with relevant legislation and policy frameworks to prevent fruitless, wasteful, and irregular expenditure.

Stakeholder Management and Customer Retention (20%)

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships through stakeholder collaboration.

• Represents the organisation in meetings with customers.

• Identifies and resolves problems creatively while demonstrating integrity and adherence to company values.

• Provides advice and guidance to management on internal stakeholder matters.

• Implements and monitors stakeholder management systems.

People Management (5%)

• Monitors and measures performance of internal and external service providers.

• Identifies development areas and implements action plans to address poor performance.

• Sets performance objectives for internal and external service and support teams.

• Ensures adherence to HR policies within the division.

Financial Management (5%)

• Contributes to the budget preparation process.

• Ensures effective, efficient, economical, and transparent use of financial and other resources.

• Monitors expenditure against budget and reports deviations to the direct Manager.

• Identifies and implements cost‑reduction opportunities.

Please consider your application unsuccessful should you not receive a response within Two weeks of applying.