Product Specialist

**Position details**:
Type: Permanent
Reports to: Branch Manager
Job titles of direct reports: Branch Manager

Primary Purpose: To develop and grow the sales and market share of the company’s heavy-duty product offering by engaging with company branches and customers in a defined geographical region (and on a national scale) and/or focused product range.

Travel requirements: Frequent travel requirement

Job description / core competencies:
Account Management
- Market development & support of all heavy-duty product lines, directly & indirectly with existing & prospective customers.
- Cold calling, market research, sales projections, stock forecasting & profiling.
- Manage relationships with key accounts & target customers as well as develop other products.
- Achieve monthly & annual targets as agreed.
- Develop, implement & measure promotional strategies.
- Engage with the marketing department in support of editorials and marketing drives.
- Assist with the design, compilation, and proof reading of product specific catalogues & brochures.
- Interact with supplier to negotiate specials, develop market strategies & evaluate sale strategies.

Price Management
- Influence price parameters for each product segment based on market intelligence & assign/adjust discount parameters in line with the group strategy.
- Evaluate & measure the effects of annual price increases.
- Ensure healthy margins by reviewing prices monthly.
- Review finance reports on margin & report back on queries.
- Review monthly price surveys from the sales team & other sources to ensure the company is on par with competitors.

Relationship building
- Network with divisional & branch sales teams.
- Handle queries & suggestions raised.
- Communicate & build relationships with suppliers & customers.
- Complete required CRM.
- Draft and submit weekly management reports.

**Location**:Gauteng, South Africa

**Job Qualifications, Skills & Experience**:
Qualifications: Grade 12 (Matric). Technical and/or Business qualification will be beneficial.

Experience: Minimum 5 years’ technical sales experience & good track record.

**Skills**:

- Possess excellent verbal and writing skills.
- Must be computer literate (Essential).
- Strong attention to detail and good analytical skills.
- Timely, well organized and deadline driven.
- Experience in customer negotiations.
- Sales experience will be an advantage.
- Customer liaison experience
- Knowledge & understanding of heavy-duty aftermarket environments, specifically belts, tensioners, bearing products, gates, STC, Shimizu (belts, tensioners, pumps), Timken, NSK (bearings, bearing kits, wheel, diff, gearbox), Spicer, Tirsan Driveline products (universal joints, yokes, carrier bearings, shafts).
- Computer literate - MS PowerPoint & Excel (Essential)
- Extensive travel requirements.
- Must be familiar with Syspro systems.
- Good knowledge of business processes.
- Basic finance knowledge.
- Negotiation skills.
- Budgeting & forecasting knowledge.
- Decision making skills.

**Company Description**:
Established over 50 years ago, this South African based organisation is a subsidiary of a globally recognised, JSE listed holding company that invests and conducts well-known businesses involved in the supply of OEM and aftermarket parts, as well as the provision of related services and solutions. This company specialises in the distribution of OEM and aftermarket parts from internationally recognised manufacturers to the automotive, agricultural, and heavy-duty industries. Consisting of a diverse team which are strongly customer-focused, that practice attentive and helpful advice, assistance, and expertise in their respective roles.

**Experience**:

- technical sales: 5 years (preferred)
- heavy-duty aftermarket environments: 5 years (preferred)
- belts: 5 years (preferred)
- tensioners: 5 years (preferred)
- bearing products: 5 years (preferred)
- Shimizu (belts, tensioners, pumps): 5 years (preferred)
- Timken: 5 years (preferred)
- NSK (bearings, bearing kits, wheel, diff, gearbox): 5 years (preferred)
- Spicer: 5 years (preferred)
- Tirsan Driveline (joints, yokes, carrier bearings, shafts): 5 years (preferred)
- Syspro: 5 years (preferred)
- Account Management: 5 years (preferred)
- Price Management: 5 years (preferred)
- Relationship building: 5 years (preferred)