Permanent - External Sales Representative - Ekurhuleni (East Rand) - South Africa

Job Summary:

As an External Sales Representative, you will be responsible for driving business growth by identifying new sales opportunities, cultivating strong relationships with potential and existing clients, and promoting the company’s products or services. You will actively seek out new leads, present solutions, negotiate contracts, and close sales while maintaining a deep understanding of market trends and customer needs. This role requires frequent travel to meet with clients, present offerings, and ensure customer satisfaction

Responsibilities:

Identify and target potential clients or business opportunities within assigned territories or sectors. 

Cold call, email, or network to generate new leads and build a pipeline of potential customers.

Conduct market research to understand customer needs, industry trends, and competitors.

Present products or services to potential clients through face-to-face meetings, phone calls, or virtual presentations.

Understand clients' needs and provide tailored solutions that meet their specific requirements.

Demonstrate product benefits and features to convince prospects of the value proposition.

Negotiate terms, pricing, and contracts with potential clients, ensuring alignment with company policies and objectives.

Close deals and finalize contracts with clients, ensuring both parties are satisfied with the terms.

Follow up with leads and clients to ensure successful conversion and retention.

Build and maintain long-term relationships with clients by providing excellent customer service and support.

Act as the main point of contact for clients, ensuring their needs are met and resolving any issues.

Upsell and cross-sell products/services to existing clients to maximize revenue.

Meet or exceed sales targets, KPIs, and quotas as set by the sales manager.

Track sales progress and report regularly on sales activities, client feedback, and market trends.

Maintain accurate records of all sales activities, client interactions, and follow-ups in systems.

Work closely with internal teams (sales, marketing, customer service, and product teams) to deliver a seamless customer experience.

Share feedback from clients and market insights to help improve products, services, and sales strategies.

Participate in regular sales meetings, training, and product briefings to stay up-to-date with the latest offerings.

Travel regularly to meet with clients, attend industry events, and build relationships in person.

Manage a flexible schedule to accommodate client needs and maximize sales opportunities.

Job Requirements:

2+ years of experience in external sales, business development, or a similar role.

Proven track record of achieving sales targets and generating new business

Experience in sales, depending on the industry (Rebar/Metal industry advantageous).

Strong ability to prospect, cold call, and generate leads independently.

Excellent negotiation, persuasion, and closing skills. 

Ability to identify client needs and tailor product/service solutions accordingly.

Demonstrated experience in dealing with objections and overcoming challenges in sales.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation and negotiation abilities.

Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage with customers at all levels.

Proactive, approachable, and able to effectively communicate value propositions to potential clients.

Strong time management skills and ability to handle multiple accounts, leads, and tasks simultaneously. 

Ability to prioritize and manage a sales pipeline efficiently.

Self-motivated and able to work independently with little supervision.

Manage leads, track sales activities, and generate reports.

Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for reporting and communication.

Basic understanding of sales analytics and performance tracking. 

Knowledge of the specific industry, products, and services being sold (e.g., construction, IT, manufacturing).

Understanding of market trends, competitor analysis, and customer behavior in the industry.

Willingness to travel frequently to meet clients, attend trade shows, and explore new business opportunities.

Ability to work in a target-driven environment and handle the pressure of meeting quotas.

Problem-solving skills and a pro-active approach to addressing client concerns