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About the role
Job Summary
The Key Account Manager is responsible for managing and growing relationships with strategically important clients. This role involves developing account plans, identifying sales opportunities, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality service. The Key Account Manager acts as the main point of contact for key clients and works to ensure their satisfaction and loyalty.
This job profile is intended for experienced professionals who apply practical knowledge of a job area and work independently with general supervision.
JOB TITLE: Sales Engineer – DRC Key Accounts
REPORTING TO: Head of Sales – Central Africa/ Managing Director SPUZM
GRADE: 4
LOCATION: Lubumbashi, DRC (with frequent travel to Zambia)
ROLE PURPOSE:
The incumbent is responsible for driving new business growth for Sulzer's equipment and services across all industrial segments in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with a primary focus on the Metals and Mining sector. Additional segments include Chemical Processing, Power Generation, Water & Wastewater, and general industrial applications. This role is pivotal in establishing and expanding Sulzer Zambia's footprint in the DRC market. The Sales Engineer will spend 70% of their time engaging directly with customers and industrial sites in the DRC, and 30% at the Sulzer Zambia office for strategic alignment, reporting, and administrative coordination
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT LIMITED TO):
· Market Development & Customer Engagement:
- Invest >70% of the time in technical, commercial, and service visits at key account customer sites across the DRC, spanning Metals & Mining, Chemical Processing, and other industrial segments.
- Capture customer needs and generate requests for quotations from all assigned territories and customers in the DRC.
- Identify and develop relationships with new potential clients across diverse industrial sectors while nurturing existing accounts to maximize business opportunities.
- Promote Sulzer's full product portfolio, including pumps, agitators, mixers, compressors, and separation technologies relevant to each industrial segment.
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- Sales Process & Administration:
- Read, learn, and fully understand the basic SULZER Sales processes and rules (customer's specifications, product portfolio, TOA, 10 GR, COSP, PA, STARS, Salesforce, pricing, etc.).
- Prepare and follow up on quotations, ensuring they are technically and commercially aligned with both customer requirements and Sulzer's objectives.
- Collaboration & Communication:
- Maintain a high level of collaboration and communication with local and regional colleagues in Zambia and the wider Sulzer network, from whom support will be received for administrative functions (tendering, quotations follow-up, order handling, shipping, invoicing, and cash collection).
- Act as the primary bridge between the DRC market and the Sulzer Zambia office, ensuring seamless information flow and operational alignment.
- Reporting & Data Management:
- Report and communicate customer information, market trends, and competitor activities to management.
- Enter and maintain accurate database records in Salesforce (customer profiles, visit reports, opportunities) and prepare and maintain status reports.
- Assist Management with reporting (budget, rolling forecast, MBR, and the like) when requested.
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KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPIs):
- Achieve sales targets in accordance with the agreed budget for the DRC territory across all assigned industrial segments.
- Effective management of key customer relationships, measured by dedicated customer visit frequency and customer satisfaction.
- Effective communication and participation with other business streams and the Zambia-based support team.
- Correct and disciplined use of CRM Tools (Salesforce) and CPQ tools (STARS, ABSEL etc.).
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SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:
Skills (must be able to):
- Apply sound sales, marketing, and territory management skills across multiple industrial segments.
- Demonstrate working knowledge and application of tendering procedures.
- Possess product and product application knowledge, specifically related to pumps, rotating equipment, and industrial process solutions.
- Maintain strong segment awareness of the Metals & Mining, Chemical Processing, and general industrial sectors.
- Exhibit excellent negotiating, influencing, and persuasion skills.
Attributes (be able to):
- Deadline and target driven.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage across all levels.
- Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
- Culturally adaptable and able to work effectively across diverse environments.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering.
- 3 – 5 years of sales, tendering, and marketing experience in a technical environment, serving industrial sectors such as Mining, Chemical Processing, Oil & Gas, or Power Generation.
- Proven Sales experience in the DRC industrial market will be a huge advantage.
- Sound knowledge of industrial process equipment, with experience in slurry applications and chemical process pumps being highly desirable.
- Knowledge of ERP Tools such as SAP, etc., will be key.
- Computer literate (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, CRM Systems).
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Work will be split between the office in Zambia (30%) for meetings, alignment, and administration, and on-site at customer plants/offices in the DRC (70%).
- Interaction is with all levels within the company (from end-users, Engineers, to senior management) and external customers across various industrial sectors.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Nationality: Must be a Congolese national.
- Languages: Fluency in French and English is mandatory. Fluency in prominent local languages of the DRC, such as Kiswahili, is a significant advantage.
- Technical qualification, preferably in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or Chemical Engineering (National Diploma or higher).
- Grade 12 Certificate or Equivalent.
- Unendorsed – Valid driver's Licence.
- A commercial qualification will be a benefit.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: The incumbent must conform to the company's Disciplinary Code of Conduct, 5'S, Health and Safety, and all other relevant Policies and Procedures.
What we offer you
Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment.
We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.
