Sales - Engineering & Manufacturing

Anacin Recruitment Agency; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in Johannesburg is seeking a Sales Person to drive sales for purpose-built machinery within manufacturing and industrial sectors. The ideal candidate should possess strong technical understanding, excellent communication skills, and have 3-8 years of sales experience. This full-time role includes frequent travel to client sites and offers a competitive compensation package including commission and benefits.

Benefits

Car allowance

Commission/performance bonus

Pension and medical aid

Qualifications

• 3-8 years’ sales experience in engineering or manufacturing.
• Experience in selling complex, engineered machinery.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Identify and close new business opportunities.
• Develop sales strategies and prepare proposals.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships.

Skills

Strong mechanical or electrical technical understanding

Strong negotiation and closing skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to manage long sales cycles

Competent in CRM and MS Office

Education

Matric

Technical qualification: Electrical/Mechanical Engineering N6 or Diploma

Tools

CRM software

MS Office

Job description

Sales Person – Engineering & Manufacturing (Purpose-Built Machinery)

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Department: Sales & Business Development

Reporting to: Sales Manager / General Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site / Field-Based

Industry: Engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical / Automation, Purpose-Built Machinery

1. Role Purpose

The Sales Person is responsible for generating new business, developing client relationships, and driving sales of purpose-built machinery and engineered solutions. This role requires strong technical aptitude, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work within industrial and manufacturing environments. The successful candidate will identify opportunities, prepare proposals, manage the sales cycle, and support clients through to project handover.

2. Key Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development

• Identify, pursue, and close new business opportunities within manufacturing, FMCG, mining, automotive, packaging, and industrial sectors.
• Conduct prospecting activities including cold-calling, site visits, presentations, product demonstrations, networking, and industry event attendance.
• Develop sales strategies for target markets and key accounts.
• Prepare and deliver technical-commercial proposals, quotations, and tender documentation.
• Conduct needs analysis to determine client production challenges and propose appropriate machinery solutions.

Client Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong, long-term customer relationships.
• Serve as primary contact for clients, providing ongoing support and technical guidance throughout the sales process.
• Conduct regular follow-ups with clients to ensure satisfaction and identify upsell or cross-sell opportunities.

Technical & Product Knowledge

• Understand the company’s purpose-built machinery, engineering capabilities, and manufacturing processes.
• Convert technical features into value propositions for customers.
• Collaborate with engineering, design, and production teams to ensure customer requirements are accurately communicated.

Sales Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate CRM records of leads, opportunities, quotations, and sales activities.
• Prepare weekly and monthly sales reports, forecasts, and pipeline updates.
• Ensure all documentation (contracts, orders, specs) is accurate and complete.

Project Coordination

• Support project scoping, specification clarification, and costing with engineering teams.
• Participate in project kick‑off meetings where required.
• Ensure client expectations are aligned with manufacturing and engineering delivery timelines.

3. Required Qualifications & Experience

• Matric (Required).
• Technical qualification preferred: Electrical / Mechanical Engineering N6, Diploma, or related field.
• 3–8 years’ sales experience in engineering, manufacturing, industrial equipment, automation, or capital machinery sales.
• Proven track record in selling complex, engineered or purpose‑built machinery (highly advantageous).
• Experience in preparing quotes, tenders, and technical proposals.
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel nationally.

4. Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Strong mechanical or electrical technical understanding.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, machine specifications or production requirements.
• Understanding of manufacturing environments and industrial processes.

Sales Skills

• Strong negotiation, closing, and objection‑handling skills.
• Ability to manage long sales cycles for capital equipment.
• Strong presentation skills (technical and commercial).
• Competent in CRM, MS Office, and digital sales tools.

Personal Competencies

• Self‑motivated and target‑driven.
• Excellent communication (verbal, written, and interpersonal).
• Professional, ethical, and customer‑focused.
• Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical ability.
• Mechanically curious and eager to learn advanced machinery concepts.

5. KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)

• Achieving monthly/quarterly/yearly sales targets.
• Growth of new business and expansion of existing customers.
• Quality and accuracy of proposals and quotations.
• Customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Number of appointments, site visits, and presentations per month.
• Pipeline value and conversion rate.
• CRM and reporting compliance.

6. Working Conditions

• O ice-based with frequent travel to customer sites, factories, and industrial environments.
• Occasional travel outside Gauteng.
• Interaction with production floors, manufacturing equipment, workshops, and engineering design teams.

7. Compensation

• Basic salary (market‑related based on experience).
• Car allowance / company vehicle.
• Fuel card, tools of trade (laptop, phone).
• Commission / performance bonus.
• Pension, medical aid, and other company benefits.

8. Ideal Candidate Profile

• Technically inclined sales professional with solid industrial or engineering exposure.
• Enjoys solving customer problems and selling complex machinery solutions.
• Strong hunter profile with the ability to close deals in high‑value capital equipment markets.
• Professional, well‑presented, and confident engaging at all organisational levels (from factory managers to CEOs).