Sales Manager

Ubuntu RM; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Ubuntu RM is a South African packaging machinery manufacturer seeking a Sales Manager to lead the commercial function and drive growth across South Africa and Africa. The role focuses on closing capital equipment deals, building long-term customer relationships and delivering strong revenue performance.

Ideal candidates will have 8–12 years in packaging machinery or FMCG sales, excellent negotiation and presentation skills, and the ability to travel extensively.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years in packaging machinery or FMCG sales.
• Proven track record closing capital equipment deals.
• Strong commercial acumen with quotations and negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the full sales cycle for packaging machinery to food, beverage and FMCG manufacturers.
• Build and maintain relationships with plant, engineering and procurement leaders.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across SA and Africa.
• Prepare technical proposals, quotations and tender responses with technical team.
• Negotiate terms, close capital equipment deals and exceed revenue targets.
• Represent the business at trade shows and industry events.
• Provide accurate forecasts, pipelines and market insights to the MD.
• Travel across SA and Africa to client sites.
• Manage key accounts and drive share-of-wallet growth.
• Support marketing activities and brand positioning where needed.

Skills

Sales experience

Packaging machinery knowledge

Negotiation

Technical aptitude

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Networking

Self-motivated

Driver's license

Passport

Travel willingness

Education

Matric / Grade 12

Tertiary qualification in Mechanical Eng/Sales/Marketing

Job description

Sales Manager (Manufacturing)

Our client is an established South African manufacturer of vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) packaging machinery, supplying food, beverage, and FMCG manufacturers across South Africa and into the wider African market.

With a strong reputation for engineering quality, reliability, and after-sales service, the business is now looking to appoint an experienced Sales Manager to lead its commercial function and drive continued growth across South Africa and Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the sales cycle for packaging machinery sales into food, beverage, and FMCG manufacturers
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships with plant managers, engineering managers, and procurement teams
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across South Africa and neighbouring African markets
• Prepare technical proposals, commercial quotations, and tender responses in conjunction with the technical team
• Negotiate commercial terms, close capital equipment deals, and consistently exceed revenue targets
• Represent the business at trade shows, exhibitions, and industry events
• Provide accurate sales forecasts, pipeline reporting, and market intelligence to the Managing Director
• Travel regularly to customer sites across South Africa with occasional trips into Africa
• Manage key account relationships and drive share-of-wallet growth within existing customers
• Support marketing activities, brand positioning, and customer communications where required

Minimum Requirements

• Matric / Grade 12 (essential)
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Sales, Marketing, or related discipline (advantageous)
• Minimum 8 to 12 years dedicated Sales career in packaging machinery, industrial capital equipment, or FMCG manufacturing sales
• Proven track record of closing capital equipment sales into food, beverage, or FMCG manufacturing environments
• Strong commercial acumen with experience preparing quotations, negotiating terms, and closing multi-million rand deals
• Technical aptitude - ability to understand packaging machinery specifications and translate them into customer solutions
• Established network of contacts within food, beverage, or FMCG manufacturing across South Africa
• Excellent communication and presentation skills at customer plant level
• Self-motivated, target-driven, and comfortable working independently
• Valid SA driver's licence and own reliable vehicle (essential)
• Valid passport (essential)
• Willingness to travel extensively across South Africa and into Africa