External Sales Representative – Laboratory & Scientific Chemicals Midrand, Gauteng

External Sales Representative – Laboratory & Scientific Chemicals

Location: Midrand, Gauteng
Salary: R22,000 – R27,000 per month
Industry: Pharmaceutical Laboratories | Manufacturing Quality Control Laboratories | Mining Laboratories | Scientific & Industrial Chemicals

Position Overview
A well-established supplier within the laboratory and scientific chemicals sector is seeking an experienced and technically knowledgeable External Sales Representative to join its team in Midrand.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and growing sales of laboratory chemicals, reagents, scientific products and related solutions to customers operating within pharmaceutical laboratories, manufacturing quality control laboratories, mining laboratories and other scientific laboratory environments.
This is a field-based sales position requiring regular customer visits throughout South Africa. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical laboratory knowledge with proven external sales ability and a successful track record of achieving sales targets.Minimum Requirements
Education
A relevant scientific qualification would be highly advantageous, preferably a National Diploma or Degree in one of the following:

• Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Laboratory Science
• Biotechnology
• Related Scientific Field

Experience
Candidates should have:

• 3–5 years' external sales experience
• Minimum 2 years' experience selling laboratory chemicals, scientific products or industrial chemicals
• Experience dealing with pharmaceutical and/or manufacturing quality control laboratories
• Previous experience selling into mining laboratories would be highly advantageous
• Proven track record of achieving or exceeding sales targets
• Experience developing new business as well as managing existing customer accounts
• Ability to conduct technical discussions with laboratory personnel and understand customer applications and requirements

Technical Knowledge
The successful candidate should have knowledge and/or practical understanding of:

• AR Grade Chemicals
• Laboratory reagents
• ICP applications
• AAS applications
• XRF laboratory applications
• Wet chemistry laboratories
• Sample preparation chemicals
• Laboratory quality systems
• ISO 17025 laboratory environments
• Laboratory safety requirements

The ability to understand laboratory processes and recommend suitable chemicals, reagents and scientific products according to customer applications will be important.
Key Responsibilities
The External Sales Representative will be responsible for:

• Developing and managing a portfolio of laboratory and scientific customers
• Identifying and prospecting for new business opportunities
• Growing the company's customer base within pharmaceutical, manufacturing, mining and laboratory sectors
• Conducting regular customer visits and technical sales presentations
• Building strong relationships with laboratory managers, chemists, quality personnel, procurement departments and other decision-makers
• Understanding customer laboratory applications and identifying suitable products and solutions
• Preparing and following up on quotations
• Negotiating pricing and commercial terms within approved parameters
• Converting quotations and opportunities into confirmed orders
• Managing existing customer accounts and identifying opportunities for increased sales
• Developing the mining laboratory customer base
• Maintaining an active sales pipeline
• Managing the assigned sales territory effectively
• Monitoring customer requirements, competitor activity and market developments
• Achieving monthly sales revenue and gross profit targets
• Providing accurate sales forecasts and activity reports
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date customer information on the CRM system
• Ensuring all customer visits, opportunities, quotations and follow-ups are recorded
• Working closely with internal sales, technical, operations and management teams to ensure excellent customer service

Computer Skills
Candidates should be comfortable working with:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Microsoft Excel
• CRM systems – Zoho experience would be advantageous
• Sales reporting and forecasting
• ERP systems would be advantageous

Key Sales Competencies
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong ability in:

• Prospecting and lead generation
• New business development
• Consultative and technical selling
• Negotiation
• Closing sales
• Account management
• Territory management
• Customer relationship building
• Sales pipeline management
• Quotation follow-up and conversion

Personal Attributes
The ideal candidate will be:

• Self-motivated and results-driven
• Target orientated
• Technically minded
• Professional in presentation and communication
• Confident dealing with technical and commercial customers
• Highly organised
• Able to manage a territory independently
• Proactive in developing new business
• A strong relationship builder
• A practical problem solver
• Reliable and accountable
• A person with a high level of integrity

Travel Requirements
This position requires regular travel to customer sites throughout South Africa.
Candidates must:

• Hold a valid South African driver's licence
• Have their own reliable vehicle, if required by the employer
• Be willing and able to travel regularly
• Be comfortable spending significant time visiting customer sites, including mines, pharmaceutical laboratories, manufacturing facilities and quality control laboratories

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Performance will be measured against:

• Monthly sales revenue targets
• Gross profit targets
• New customer acquisitions
• Customer retention
• Number of customer visits per month
• Quotation-to-order conversion rate
• Growth of the mining laboratory customer base
• Growth of existing customer accounts
• Sales pipeline development
• CRM compliance
• Reporting and forecasting accuracy

Preferred Industry Background
Preference may be given to candidates with relevant laboratory/scientific sales experience gained with companies operating in similar markets, including organisations such as:

• Merck / Sigma-Aldrich
• Associated Chemical Enterprises (ACE)
• Lasec
• Labotec
• Separations
• Protea Laboratory Services
• Chemetrix
• Industrial Analytical
• Scientific Group
• Kimix Chemicals
• Industrial and mining chemical suppliers

Experience with these companies is not mandatory; however, candidates should ideally have comparable experience selling laboratory chemicals, reagents, scientific products or industrial chemical solutions into relevant laboratory environments.

Package
R22,000 – R27,000 per month, depending on qualifications, technical knowledge and relevant sales experience.

Work Location: In person