Sales Manager Modernisation - South and East Africa

Emerson Electric; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A global automation solutions provider is seeking a Sales Manager for Modernisation in Johannesburg. This role involves driving revenue growth and fostering customer relationships across Southern Africa, particularly in Oil & Gas and Power & Water sectors. Successful candidates will have a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering, 10-15 years of sales management experience, and proficiency in CRM systems. The company offers flexible benefits including medical insurance and a focus on work-life balance.

Benefits

Flexible benefit plans

Medical insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Paid parental leave

Work-life balance

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of Sales Management experience, with proven success.
• Strong understanding of customer needs within Industrial Process Control.
• Willingness to travel regionally within the Middle East & Africa.

Responsibilities

• Drive revenue growth and expand market presence across Africa.
• Lead sales teams to maximize revenue and profitability.
• Engage with senior executives to influence buying decisions.

Skills

Sales Management

Commercial Acumen

Customer Engagement

Technical Expertise

Negotiation Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma in Chemical Engineering or related fields

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

As the Sales Manager for Modernisation (Competitive Displacement), you will be responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding market presence, and fostering long-term customer relationships across Angola, South, and East Africa. This role requires a strategic, results-driven leader who can develop and execute growth initiatives across all key industry segments, including Oil & Gas and Power & Water.

You will lead sales teams, collaborate with local business partners (LBPs), and engage directly with senior executives to position cutting-edge industrial automation and software solutions. Your ability to blend technical expertise, business acumen and AI-driven sales strategies will be critical to exceeding bookings targets and maximizing market share.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Leadership and Business Growth in modernisation

• Spearhead regional growth strategies to exceed financial targets in alignment with the Systems & Solutions MEA business plan.
• Develop & execute a sales strategy that ensures above-market growth rates across all segments.
• Direct & empower the local business partners (LBPs) to drive competitive displacement and solution-based selling.
• Maximize revenue & profitability by growing the installed base and identifying high-value market opportunities.

Customer Engagement & Strategic Partnerships

• Cultivate and maintain C-level relationships within key accounts to influence buying decisions and drive long-term loyalty.
• Lead high-impact negotiations, ensuring a strong value-driven approach tailored to customer needs.
• Drive customer satisfaction by proactively identifying challenges and delivering tailored solutions.

Market Intelligence & Competitive Strategy

• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and pricing strategies to refine go-to-market approaches.
• Develop and present country marketing plans, sales forecasts, and business intelligence reports.
• Support cross-functional teams to enhance pull-through opportunities within the broader Emerson Automation Solutions portfolio.

Digital Transformation & AI-Driven Sales

• Champion the integration of industrial software solutions for asset optimization, reliability, and efficiency improvements.
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies to position Emerson as a leader in industrial software.

Compliance & Ethical Sales Execution

• Ensure strict adherence to Emerson’s ethics and trade compliance policies in all business transactions.

Who You Are:

• A strategic sales leader with a proven track record of driving business growth and team performance.
• A high-impact communicator who effectively engages with diverse stakeholders—from engineers to C-level executives.
• A collaborative team player who fosters partnerships and builds trust across the Emerson and Customer organizations.
• A results-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced, competitive sales environment.

Qualifications & Skills required

• Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma in Chemical Engineering, Process Control, Mechanical, Automation, or related engineering fields.
• 10-15 years of Sales Management experience, with a proven track record of success locally and/or internationally.
• Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of customer needs within Industrial Process Control.
• Expertise and understanding in DCS, process control, and industrial software solutions.
• Proficiency in CRM systems, BI tools, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Visio).
• Willingness to travel regionally within the Middle East & Africa.

Preferred:

• Proven expertise in high-value business negotiations and strategic deal-making.
• Experience in AI-powered improvement tools
• Experience and a good understanding of predictive analytics, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Solution-selling mindset, with the ability to position Emerson’s offerings as holistic, value-driven solutions rather than standalone products.

Our offer to you:

We recognize the importance of employee wellbeing and know that to do your best you have flexible, competitive benefit plans to meet you and your family’s physical, mental, financial, and social needs. We provide, a variety of medical insurance plans, Employee Assistance Program, tuition reimbursement, employee resource groups, recognition, and much more. Our culture prioritizes work-life balance and offers flexible time off plans, including paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), vacation and holiday leave. At Emerson, we are committed to encouraging a culture where every employee is valued and respected for their outstanding experiences and perspectives. We believe a diverse and inclusive work environment contributes to the rich exchange of ideas and diversity of thoughts, that encourage innovation and brings the best solutions to our customers. The philosophy is fundamental to living our company’s values and our responsibility to leave the world in a better place. Learn more about our Culture & Values and about Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Emerson. Our training programs and initiatives focus on end-to end development, from onboarding through senior leadership. We provide a wide range of development opportunities, including face-to-face and virtual training, mentorship, and coaching, project management, and on-the-job training.