Assistant Manager

An exciting and challenging opportunity has become available for an experienced and suitably qualified Assistant Manager to join the Machinery team based in Durban.

Purpose of the job:

To integrate equipment sales and service delivery in alignment with divisional sales targets, driving the total effectiveness of the department. The role involves developing trust-based relationships with customers and suppliers, creating win-win opportunities, maintaining open communication, and solving problems proactively and timeously. The ideal candidate must drive the execution of tasks and solve problems with integrity and innovative thinking as a positive, engaged management team member.

Key focus areas:

This role requires a candidate with a strong technical foundation who can bridge the gap between engineering expertise and commercial excellence. The successful candidate must demonstrate proficiency in the following critical areas:

• Mechanical and Electrical Background: A solid understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering principles is essential. The candidate must be able to assess machinery requirements, understand technical specifications, and evaluate equipment compatibility across various industrial applications.

• Machinery Knowledge (Automotive and Non-Automotive): Comprehensive knowledge of machinery used in both automotive and non-automotive industries is critical. This includes understanding manufacturing processes, production equipment, assembly line machinery, and specialized industrial equipment across diverse sectors.

• Site-Based Quoting Ability: The candidate must possess the capability to visit customer sites and accurately quote for projects based on visual assessment and technical evaluation. This requires strong analytical skills, quick thinking, and the ability to translate site observations into comprehensive project proposals and cost estimates.

Additional Core Competencies

• Business acumen, decision making, and problem solving skills

• Innovative thinking and results orientation

• Strategic planning and risk management

• Coaching/mentoring and leadership capabilities

Experiential and Educational requirements:

• Engineering Qualification (Mechanical/Electrical) or studying towards the same

• N6 Certificate or equivalent Engineering qualification (Advantageous)

• Minimum 5 years Project Management and Sales Experience

• Industry Knowledge in both Automotive and Non-Automotive Sectors

• Basic understanding of Machinery used in Automotive and Non-Automotive Industries

• Computer Literacy: Intermediate MS Office

• Good knowledge in reading technical drawings (Advantageous)

• Ability to quote for projects by visiting sites and conducting technical assessments

• Logistics Management (Import/Export)

• Safety and OHS Act Knowledge

• Familiarity with technical terminology (Engineering & Construction)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Financial Objectives and Sales Management

• Achieve divisional sales targets with no loss to Gross Profit (in line with divisional targets)

• Ensure projects, spares, and services are billed accurately and timeously

• Create and develop new business opportunities with focus on creating annuity revenue streams

• Conduct budget variance analysis and implement countermeasures

• Prepare sales forecasting and analysis with appropriate countermeasures

• Draw up expected sales and profit forecasts (monthly)

2. Customer Relations and Site Visits

• Develop a strong understanding of customer needs and maintain close communication to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction

• Conduct regular customer visits (office and factory) to enable Genchi-Genbutsu and secure RFQs from customers

• Visit customer sites to assess project requirements and provide accurate quotations based on technical evaluations

• Support the implementation of action plans to resolve customer complaints or concerns

• Provide feedback to manager and team on customer interactions and opportunities

3. Project and Contract Management

• Manage complete project lifecycle including planning, contract administration, site management, and commercial closure

• Perform on-site management including schedule, cost, and safety control during projects

• Manage contractors (international and local sub-contractors)

• Clarify and confirm specifications between suppliers and customers

• Manage project schedules and costs with all related parties ensuring customer satisfaction

4. Quotations and Procurement

• Acquire RFQs and offer consultation (projects and spare parts) through daily customer liaison

• Ensure quotations are submitted with acceptance received within specified deadlines for implementation

• Conduct site visits to evaluate project scope and prepare accurate cost estimates

• Prepare sales documentation including quotes, purchase orders, invoices, and debtor/creditor document tracking

5. Logistics and Supply Chain

• Manage the complete end-to-end supply chain process

• Coordinate logistics management (import approximately 90%, export approximately 10%)

• Ensure accurate and timely coordination of shipping schedules and project schedules

• Communicate scheduling information clearly and timeously

6. International Relations and Communication

• Provide foreign visitor support including scheduling, appointments, and meeting attendance

• Support international contractors (at work and occasionally after work hours)

• Build strategic relationships with suppliers and customers to identify and develop new business opportunities

7. Product Promotion and Business Development

• Promote agency products including industrial robots, injection moulding equipment, Pumps and pneumatic parts

• Propose process improvements for both external and internal business processes

8. Reporting and Administration

• Prepare bi-weekly reports covering sales, customer visits, trouble-shooting, etc.

• Submit weekly activity and progress reports to management team for knowledge sharing

• Ensure operational issues are identified, tracked, and resolved timeously

• Comply with Standard Operating Procedures and Code of Conduct and Ethics

9. Safety and Team Support

• Ensure Safety First (Anzen) with zero incidents

• Provide support to team members on day-to-day operations

• Provide on-the-job training to team members and motivate them toward better results

• Ensure performance objectives and targets are met, communicating concerns to management

• Support special projects and miscellaneous assignments as required

• Attend training for self-development

• Be available for duty after working hours and weekends for projects (seasonal)