About the position
Join a Global Leader in Packaging Technology
Our client is a globally recognised manufacturer of world-class filling and packaging systems for the beverage and liquid food industries. With more than 150 years of engineering excellence and innovation, they provide cutting-edge packaging technologies to some of the world's leading manufacturers.
An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Technical Sales Engineer to join their South African operation. This role combines technical expertise with commercial acumen and is ideal for an engineering professional who enjoys developing customised technical solutions while working closely with customers throughout the sales process.
PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING
This is a non-negotiable requirement.
Applicants must have proven experience within the packaging machinery industry, specifically involving:
- Liquid filling equipment
- Hard packaging technologies
- Packaging machinery
- Bottling and packaging lines
- Customer-facing technical sales or applications engineering
Candidates whose experience is limited to general FMCG manufacturing, production, process engineering or factory operations without direct packaging machinery exposure will unfortunately not be considered.
About the Role
Reporting to senior management, you will be responsible for delivering technical and commercial support throughout the sales process, ensuring customers receive engineered solutions that meet operational, commercial and technical requirements.
You will work closely with engineering, sales and project teams to prepare quotations, evaluate customer specifications, develop technical solutions and support complex capital equipment projects.
Key Responsibilities
Your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing accurate technical and commercial quotations
- Developing machine configurations and technical solutions based on customer requirements
- Reviewing customer specifications and project documentation
- Preparing project schedules and implementation timelines
- Performing technical feasibility and risk assessments
- Supporting Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculations
- Coordinating quotation activities with engineering and sales departments
- Preparing technical proposals and customer presentations
- Supporting the development of intelligent packaging and production line concepts
- Ensuring compliance with engineering standards and customer specifications
- Liaising with customers throughout the proposal and negotiation process
- Supporting commercial negotiations through technical expertise
- Participating in pre-sales meetings, technical workshops and customer presentations
- Working closely with international engineering teams on customised equipment solutions
- Supporting project handover to operations following successful order placement
Minimum Requirements
To be considered for this opportunity, you should possess:
- Degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline
- Several years' experience in Technical Sales, Applications Engineering or Sales Engineering
- Proven experience selling packaging machinery or capital equipment
- Experience within beverage, food processing, liquid food or packaging industries
- Strong understanding of packaging equipment and production lines
- Excellent commercial and technical communication skills
- Experience preparing quotations and technical proposals
- Strong project coordination and planning skills
- Excellent presentation and customer engagement skills
- SAP knowledge will be advantageous
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project
- Excellent English communication skills
- Valid driver's licence
- Willingness to travel locally and internationally
Highly Desirable Experience
Candidates with experience in any of the following will be highly regarded:
- Filling machinery
- Bottling equipment
- Packaging automation
- Beverage production equipment
- Liquid filling systems
- Packaging line integration
- Blow moulding
- Labelling systems
- Capping systems
- Conveying systems
- Plant engineering
- Capital equipment sales
- OEM machinery
Experience with international packaging equipment manufacturers such as KHS, Krones, Sidel, Tetra Pak, SIG, GEA, Syntegon, Coesia, SACMI, Bosch Packaging Technology or similar organisations will be highly advantageous.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
- Excellent technical aptitude
- Commercial awareness
- Customer-centric approach
- Professional communication skills
- Excellent planning and organisational ability
- High attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple technical projects simultaneously
- Self-motivation and accountability
- Collaborative team player
- Ability to perform effectively under pressure
Desired Skills:
- Customer-centric approach
- Excellent technical aptitude
- Commercial awareness
