Product Manager (Refrigeration / HVAC)

DataTech Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,168,000 - 1,399,000; Full time

Job summary

DataTech Recruitment seeks a technically strong Product Manager to own the refrigeration, HVAC and air-conditioning product portfolio for a Johannesburg-based supplier. The role blends hands-on technical knowledge with commercial decision-making to evaluate products, assess suppliers and ensure market-ready offerings.

You’ll work with engineering and procurement across branches, develop knowledge through technical training and guide product selection, lifecycle management and profitability.

Qualifications

• Matric and a formal technical qualification in Refrigeration, HVAC or Mechanical Engineering.
• Extensive practical experience with refrigeration, HVAC and air-conditioning equipment.
• Strong technical understanding of compressors, condensers, evaporators, refrigerants, controls.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, equipment performance data and product selection requirements.
• Knowledge of product costing, pricing, margins and commercial viability.

Responsibilities

• Manage, evaluate and improve refrigeration, HVAC and air-conditioning product portfolio.
• Identify opportunities to introduce new products, improve ranges and assess emerging technologies.
• Evaluate suppliers and equipment based on technical performance, quality, suitability and commercial viability.
• Analyse product costs, selling prices, margins and market competitiveness.
• Identify gaps, overlapping products and obsolete equipment within existing product ranges.
• Provide technical product advice and support to the national branch network.
• Work closely with Procurement to manage product lifecycles, stock suitability and alternative product options.
• Collaborate with Engineering on product testing, technical evaluations and equipment performance.
• Develop product knowledge across the business through technical training and guidance.
• Support informed product selection by interpreting technical specifications and performance data.

Skills

Refrigeration

HVAC

Technical knowledge

Commercial decision-making

Portfolio management

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Matric

Technical qualification in Refrigeration/HVAC

Tools

SAP Business One

Job description

Product Manager (Refrigeration / HVAC) – Selby, Johannesburg.

Our client, an established supplier of refrigeration, HVAC and air-conditioning products, is looking for a technically strong Product Manager to take ownership of its product portfolio.

This role combines hands‑on technical knowledge with commercial decision‑making. You’ll evaluate products, assess suppliers, identify opportunities to improve existing ranges and ensure the business offers equipment that meets market needs while remaining commercially competitive.

You don’t necessarily need to have held the title of Product Manager before. If you have extensive refrigeration or HVAC industry experience, understand the equipment and can make sound technical and commercial decisions, we want to hear from you.

Salary: Market-related, up to R115,000 CTC per month.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage, evaluate and continuously improve the company’s refrigeration, HVAC and air‑conditioning product portfolio.


• Identify opportunities to introduce new products, improve existing ranges and assess emerging technologies.


• Evaluate suppliers and equipment based on technical performance, quality, suitability and commercial viability.


• Analyse product costs, selling prices, margins and market competitiveness.


• Identify gaps, overlapping products and obsolete equipment within existing product ranges.


• Provide technical product advice and support to the national branch network.


• Work closely with Procurement to manage product lifecycles, stock suitability and alternative product options.


• Collaborate with Engineering on product testing, technical evaluations and equipment performance.


• Develop product knowledge across the business through technical training and guidance.


• Support informed product selection by interpreting technical specifications and performance data.

Essential Requirements:

• Matric and a formal technical qualification in Refrigeration, HVAC or Mechanical Engineering.


• Extensive practical experience working with refrigeration, HVAC and air‑conditioning equipment and applications.


• Strong technical understanding of compressors, condensing units, evaporators, refrigerants, controls and related systems.


• Ability to interpret technical specifications, equipment performance data and product selection requirements.


• Understanding of product costing, pricing, profit margins and commercial viability.


• Knowledge of inventory management and product lifecycles.


• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.


• Good communication skills with the ability to explain technical information clearly.


• Ability to work independently, take ownership and collaborate across departments.

Highly Advantageous:

• Previous experience in product management, technical management or supplier evaluation.


• Experience evaluating and developing technical product ranges.


• Exposure to international sourcing and supplier relationships.


• Experience working with SAP Business One or a similar ERP system.

Who Will Succeed in This Role?

• You’re someone who understands the equipment, not just the catalogue.


• You can assess a product’s technical capabilities, recognise where it fits in the market and determine whether it makes commercial sense.


• You’re organised, thorough and comfortable making decisions. You enjoy solving technical problems, sharing your knowledge and working with different teams to improve how products are selected, managed and supported.


• Most importantly, you take ownership of your work and follow through.