Sales Manager - Coatings

The Practice Centre; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 950,000; Full time

Job summary

The Practice Centre is recruiting a sales/technical service professional to drive growth in our coatings portfolio across South Africa and neighboring regions. You will identify opportunities, build strategic accounts, and leverage technical expertise to address customer needs and project requirements.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver trials, presentations, and training, while maintaining high service levels, ensuring profitability, and reporting on market dynamics.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in sales or technical service within coatings/chemicals/materials.
• Solid knowledge of South African coatings market dynamics and distribution networks.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluent in English; Afrikaans or a local language is a plus.
• Willingness to travel regionally (20–40%).

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities in SA and nearby regions.
• Develop and execute sales strategies to grow raw material supplies in key segments.
• Manage a portfolio of accounts, ensuring profitability and retention.
• Provide technical expertise on coatings formulations, performance, and application methods.
• Conduct product trials, lab support, and onsite troubleshooting with customers and supplier teams.
• Deliver technical presentations and training for customers.
• Serve as the main contact for key customers and strategic suppliers in the region.
• Coordinate with R&D, production, logistics, and regulatory teams to ensure high service levels.
• Maintain CRM records and forecast sales and market trends.

Skills

Coatings industry experience

Sales experience

Technical service

CRM proficiency

Lab support skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Chemistry/Coatings

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Laboratory equipment

Job description

To drive sustainable growth of our client's coatings portfolio by expanding key customer accounts, developing new business, strengthening supplier relationships, and converting technical projects across decorative, industrial, automotive refinish, and protective coatings applications.

Key Responsibilities (Not Limited to)

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities in South Africa and surrounding regions.
• Develop and execute sales strategies to grow raw material supplies into key segments:
  • Industrial coatings (OEMs, steel fabrication, general metal finishing)
  • Protective coatings (infrastructure, mining, corrosion-resistant applications)
• Manage a portfolio of accounts, ensuring profitability and customer retention.
• Provide technical expertise on coatings formulations, performance characteristics, and application methods.
• Conduct product trials, lab work support, and onsite troubleshooting in collaboration with the customer and supplier technical team.
• Deliver technical presentations and training for customers
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key customers/suppliers and strategic accounts / suppliers in the region.
• Coordinate internally with R&D, production, logistics, and regulatory teams to ensure high service levels.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and activity reports; forecast sales and report on market trends

What We Are Looking For

• Degree or Diploma in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or Coatings Technology.
• Minimum 5 years of sales or technical service experience in the coatings, chemicals, or materials
• Demonstrated knowledge of South African coatings market dynamics, customer base, and distribution networks.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Problem-solving mindset with ability to deliver customer-specific solutions.
• Proficiency with CRM tools, Microsoft Office, and basic lab testing equipment.
• Fluent in English; Afrikaans or a local language is a plus.
• Willingness to travel regionally (20–40%) within South Africa and occasionally into neighbouring countries.

Key Stakeholders

• External: Customers, prospective customers, suppliers, principals, laboratories, consultants, and relevant industry partners.
• Internal: Senior Management, Business Unit and Business Team leaders, Sales, Technical, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Finance, and Regulatory teams.