Sales Engineer - Africa

Red Ember Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Sales Engineer – Africa to join their capital sales team.

This is a key commercial and technical role focused on developing new markets, growing existing customer relationships and providing fit-for-purpose technical solutions within the crushing, screening and materials processing industry.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical knowledge, commercial acumen and business development capability, with the ability to operate independently across multiple African markets.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Market Development

• Develop new business opportunities across designated African territories.
  
• Identify and open new markets through proactive business development and relationship-based selling.
  
• Conduct cold canvassing and targeted prospecting within identified regions.
  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing customers.
  
• Deliver professional sales presentations aligned with customer requirements.
  
• Grow equipment and spares sales across the customer base.
  
• Prepare weekly sales reports, forecasts and pipeline updates.
  

Technical & Solutions Support

• Support the commissioning of new equipment when required.
  
• Conduct basic technical assessments and minor repairs where appropriate.
  
• Assess existing customer equipment and provide technical feedback and recommendations.
  
• Prepare accurate quotations in line with company standards.
  
• Design crushing and screening plant layouts according to customer requirements and site conditions.
  
• Provide technical guidance to customers and position the business as a solutions partner rather than simply an equipment supplier.
  

Commercial & Financial Accountability

• Achieve agreed sales targets and budgets.
  
• Apply sound commercial and financial judgement during negotiations and deal-making.
  
• Focus on sustainable and profitable customer relationships.
  

Market Intelligence & Continuous Improvement

• Provide market intelligence and customer insights to support business and product strategies.
  
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, customer experience and commercial performance.
  

Governance & Safety

• Adhere to company policies, processes and ISO requirements.
  
• Maintain high health and safety standards when working on customer sites.
  
• Represent the organisation professionally, ethically and with integrity across all territories.
  

Requirements

• Proven experience in technical sales, business development or capital equipment sales.
  
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a relevant technical environment.
  
• Demonstrated cross-border sales experience within Sub-Saharan Africa.
  
• Strong commercial and financial understanding.
  
• Experience developing new markets and managing key customer accounts.
  
• Comfortable working independently and across multiple regions.
  
• Strong computer literacy, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
  
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively across Africa.
  
• Qualifications & Technical Skills
  
• Matric / Grade 12 with English and Mathematics.
  
• Relevant technical diploma or degree, preferably Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
  
• Sales qualification or diploma would be advantageous.
  

Advantageous

• Experience within mining, quarrying, construction, crushing, screening, heavy equipment or materials processing.
  
• Fluency in Portuguese and/or French.
  
• Experience with plant layouts and technical equipment solutions.
  
• Strong technical understanding of capital equipment and customer applications.
  

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a commercially driven and technically capable professional who:

• Has a strong track record in Africa or cross-border sales.
  
• Can identify new customers, territories and revenue opportunities.
  
• Is confident with prospecting and comfortable handling rejection.
  
• Builds long-term relationships based on trust and consistent follow-through.
  
• Enjoys problem-solving and providing solutions rather than simply selling products.
  
• Communicates confidently with customers at all levels.
  
• Is resilient, self-motivated and comfortable working independently.
  
• Has strong planning and organisational skills.
  
• Represents the organisation professionally and ethically.