Sales Manager Africa - Automotive Aftermarket

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Sales Leader MEAT, the Sales Manager Africa - Automotive Aftermarket is responsible for driving sustainable sales growth across the Independent Aftermarket (IAM) and Original Equipment Service (OES) channels throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, with a primary focus on Southern and Eastern Africa.

This position combines strategic business development, key account management, and project management responsibilities. Beyond traditional sales activities, the successful candidate will lead and coordinate customer programs and special projects involving technical products and aftermarket solutions. The role requires the ability to manage complex customer requirements, collaborate with engineering and product teams, and deliver tailored solutions that create value for customers operating in automotive, commercial vehicle, mining, and industrial sectors.

The Sales Manager will be responsible for expanding Eaton's market presence, identifying new growth opportunities, leading customer programs, and ensuring the successful execution of strategic projects that support revenue growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

This role is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

What you'll do:

• Develop and execute the sales growth strategy across the IAM and OES Aftermarket channels throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Southern and Eastern Africa.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities while maintaining a strong sales pipeline through networking, customer engagement, referrals, and market intelligence.
• Build, develop, and maintain long-term relationships with distributors, key accounts, OEMs, and strategic partners to drive sustainable revenue growth.
• Develop and implement customer strategies, annual operating plans, and long-term growth initiatives aligned with business objectives.
• Lead commercial negotiations, pricing strategies, contract management, and profitability improvement initiatives.
  Analyze market trends, competitive activities, and customer needs to identify growth opportunities and support strategic decision-making.
• Manage customer programs and special projects involving technical products, engineered solutions, and aftermarket applications.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure successful project execution and customer satisfaction.
• Act as the primary commercial interface for complex customer requirements, ensuring effective communication and alignment between customer expectations and internal stakeholders.
• Support customers in defining and implementing technical solutions for automotive, commercial vehicle, mining, and other industrial applications.
• Ensure customer requirements, inquiries, contracts, orders, and amendments are properly managed throughout the sales and project lifecycle.
• Monitor sales performance, prepare forecasts, business reports, and customer performance reviews, while driving actions to achieve revenue and profitability targets.
• Deploy the Customer Relationship Review (CRR) process and promote continuous improvement initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction, retention, and long-term business partnerships.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of sales experience within the Automotive Aftermarket industry.
• Proven experience developing business across African markets; experience in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly preferred.
• Experience managing customer programs, technical solutions, or project-based business environments.
• Experience working with technical products, engineered solutions, or industrial applications is highly desirable.
• Fluent English is required.

Skills:

• Strong Automotive Aftermarket market knowledge, including distribution networks, customers, and channels.
• Proven business development and strategic sales capabilities.
• Project management mindset with the ability to lead customer programs and cross-functional initiatives.
• Ability to manage complex sales cycles involving technical products and solution selling.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Excellent customer relationship management and negotiation abilities.
• Financial and commercial acumen, including pricing, profitability analysis, forecasting, and business planning.
• Value proposition development and customer-centric solution selling.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency with CRM systems, Excel, PowerPoint, and business intelligence tools.
• Results-oriented, autonomous, and comfortable operating in a geographically diverse environment.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation and benefits package;
• Flexible working solution;
• Challenging projects in dynamic collaborative team in an international environment;

Eaton announced, on June 11, 2026, the intent to combine its Mobility Group (including both the Vehicle and eMobility segments) with a new company. We expect to complete this process by the end of the first half of 2027. The compensation and benefits that will initially be offered for this position are based on Eaton's plans, programs and practices. If you are offered and accept this position and are actively employed by the Mobility Group when the transaction closes, the new company will provide further details to employees concerning compensation and benefits at that time.

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We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for job applicants and employees. Our recruitment processes use balanced selection criteria and avoid unlawful discrimination against applicants on the basis of their age, colour, disability, marital status, national origin, gender, gender identity, genetic information, race or racial origin, religion, sexual orientation or any other status protected or required by law.