About us:
Esco Lifesciences Group is a world-leading manufacturer of laboratory, pharmaceutical equipment, bioprocess tools and IVF medical devices, delivering sustainable workflow solutions to advance global health. Since 1978, the Singapore-based company is committed to excellence, ensuring forward-thinking technology, responsive support, and reliability, making Esco a trusted partner for the life science and medical markets in more than 150 countries.
Job Overview:
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Country Manager to spearhead our business operations in South Africa and neighboring countries. The ideal candidate will possess strong hands-on sales experience and a proven track record in managing diverse functions, including sales, marketing, pre-sales, services etc. This role requires an innovative leader who can build and scale a high-performing sales team while driving overall business growth and profitability.
Job title: Country Manager, South Africa
Location: South Africa
Direct Manager: Regional Commercial Leader
Key Responsibilities:
Sales Management:
- Lead and manage the sales team to achieve revenue targets and maximize market share in SA and neighboring countries.
- Develop and implement effective sales strategies and action plans to penetrate new markets and increase customer engagement.
- Monitor sales performance, provide coaching, and drive accountability within the team.
- Develop and manage distributors in SA and neighboring countries in Africa.
Marketing & Branding:
- Oversee marketing efforts to ensure alignment with sales objectives and brand positioning in SA and related countries.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to develop campaigns that drive lead generation and brand awareness.
Pre-Sales & Services:
- Manage pre-sales activities to support sales efforts and ensure customer solutions meet their needs.
- Oversee customer service operations & field service to enhance client satisfaction and retention.
Team Development:
- Recruit, train, and mentor sales and marketing personnel to build a strong team capable of achieving business objectives.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, performance excellence, and teamwork.
Strategic Planning:
- Collaborate with senior management to develop long-term strategic plans for growth in the region.
- Assess market trends, competitive landscape, and customer needs to identify opportunities for expansion.
Financial Management:
- Analyze financial performance and implement corrective actions as necessary.
Key Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- Minimum 10 years of hands-on sales experience in the life-sciences laboratory equipment, instruments or related industry.
- A driven and highly motivated, self-starting commercial professional with proven track record of successfully developing and executing business strategies and achieving revenue and profit growth.
- Strong understanding of market dynamics, product development, and business development practices.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to think strategically and make data-driven decisions. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Can work in global and matrixed structure.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.
- P&L management skills with a solid understanding of financial metrics is preferred.