National Head of Sales – Construction Solutions

Saint-Gobain Africa; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Competitive compensation packages

Job summary

Saint-Gobain Africa seeks an accomplished technical-sales leader to own the national sales strategy and lead a diverse team across the country. The role focuses on growing key accounts, securing specifications on major projects, and delivering strong profitability through disciplined forecasting and pricing.

Ideal candidates have a civil/construction engineering background or marketing/sales degree, with 5–7 years in construction-chemicals sales and proven leadership across multiple regions.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of sales experience within the construction-chemicals sector, including at least three years leading and managing a team.
• Proven record of negotiation across multiple management levels and multicultural environments.
• Strong commercial judgement, customer orientation, planning and organisational capability, written and verbal communication.
• Willingness to travel nationally and regionally.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the national sales strategy to achieve budgeted volume, revenue, gross-profit and market-share objectives.
• Lead, coach and develop the national sales organisation, creating clear accountability and enabling a diverse team to perform at its best.
• Grow existing customers, territories and key accounts while building a strong pipeline of new business opportunities.
• Secure product specification on major construction projects and guide the preparation of credible technical proposals and tender submissions.
• Drive disciplined sales planning, forecasting, pricing and margin management to improve profitability and forecast quality.
• Build trusted relationships with customers, consultants, industry specialists and relevant associations, representing Saint-Gobain as a technical and commercial partner.
• Partner with operations, finance, supply chain, order processing and customer service to resolve stock, credit and logistics constraints while balancing service and cost-to-serve.
• Provide clear performance reporting, market insight and action plans to the General Manager, Executive Committee and regional teams, while implementing agreed corporate priorities.

Skills

Negotiation

MS Office

Sales leadership

Customer relationships

Strategic planning

Education

BEng in Civil or Construction Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Sales

Concrete Technology qualification

Job description

• Develop and execute the national sales strategy to achieve budgeted volume, revenue, gross-profit and market-share objectives.


• Lead, coach and develop the national sales organisation, creating clear accountability and enabling a diverse team to perform at its best.


• Grow existing customers, territories and key accounts while building a strong pipeline of new business opportunities.


• Secure product specification on major construction projects and guide the preparation of credible technical proposals and tender submissions.


• Drive disciplined sales planning, forecasting, pricing and margin management to improve profitability and forecast quality.


• Build trusted relationships with customers, consultants, industry specialists and relevant associations, representing Saint-Gobain as a technical and commercial partner.


• Partner with operations, finance, supply chain, order processing and customer service to resolve stock, credit and logistics constraints while balancing service and cost-to-serve.


• Provide clear performance reporting, market insight and action plans to the General Manager, Executive Committee and regional teams, while implementing agreed corporate priorities.

Why do we need you?

• Develop and execute the national sales strategy to achieve budgeted volume, revenue, gross-profit and market-share objectives.


• Lead, coach and develop the national sales organisation, creating clear accountability and enabling a diverse team to perform at its best.


• Grow existing customers, territories and key accounts while building a strong pipeline of new business opportunities.


• Secure product specification on major construction projects and guide the preparation of credible technical proposals and tender submissions.


• Drive disciplined sales planning, forecasting, pricing and margin management to improve profitability and forecast quality.


• Build trusted relationships with customers, consultants, industry specialists and relevant associations, representing Saint-Gobain as a technical and commercial partner.


• Partner with operations, finance, supply chain, order processing and customer service to resolve stock, credit and logistics constraints while balancing service and cost-to-serve.


• Provide clear performance reporting, market insight and action plans to the General Manager, Executive Committee and regional teams, while implementing agreed corporate priorities.

Is this job for you?

This opportunity is suited to an accomplished technical-sales leader who holds a BEng in Civil or Construction Engineering, or a bachelor's degree in Marketing or Sales. A Concrete Technology qualification will be advantageous. You should bring 5-7 years of sales experience within the construction-chemicals sector, including at least three years leading and managing a team, together with a proven record of negotiation across multiple management levels and multicultural environments. Strong commercial judgement, customer orientation, planning and organisational capability, written and verbal communication, and MS Office proficiency are essential. You must also be comfortable representing the business in technical and commercial forums and travelling nationally and regionally as required.

Preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates currently based in South Africa’s inland region or candidates who are willing to relocate there. The role requires regular national travel.

To make sure nothing is forgotten

This is a senior national leadership role with accountability for the full performance of the construction sales portfolio. The role leads approximately six direct reports and a wider team of about 26 people, and requires equal focus on people leadership, customer relationships, project specifications, pricing and margin discipline, forecast quality and cross-functional execution. You will work closely with the General Manager, Executive Committee, regional teams and colleagues across operations, finance and customer service. If you are ready to lead a national team and shape the next phase of profitable growth, we would like to hear from you.

A Little More About Us

Saint-Gobain Group is a leading supplier of specialised construction products to the building, civil engineering and maintenance sectors in South Africa. Through an established network of branches and distributors, the business offers solutions across waterproofing, flooring, specialised adhesives, silicone and sealants, concrete repair and general construction products. Its reputation is built on technical expertise, customer service, innovation and a commitment to helping customers deliver better construction outcomes.

Legal Statement

We value the importance of a diverse workforce as a cornerstone of our business success. Our primary focus in selecting the most suitable candidates for our roles is based on their skills, qualifications, and experience. We wholeheartedly embrace the principle of equal opportunity in our employment processes and are committed to eliminating any unlawful discrimination in our hiring practices.

Benefits In Joining Us

Joining Saint-Gobain and its companies offers a range of benefits, including opportunities for exposure, diverse career paths, and a focus on innovation and sustainability. Employees benefit from professional development and training programmes, stable and resource-rich work environments, and competitive compensation packages. The company's emphasis on a collaborative corporate culture, community engagement, and commitment to research and development provides a fulfilling and dynamic work experience for those seeking professional growth and a chance to contribute to significant industry advancements.