KEY ACCOUNTS SALES EXECUTIVE

About Apollo Solar Technology

Apollo Solar Technology is a proudly South African renewable energy company, established in 2007 and headquartered in Strijdom Park, Johannesburg. Over the years, Apollo has grown from its roots in solar water heating into a multidisciplinary renewable energy business offering solar water heating, solar PV and related energy solutions to the residential, commercial and industrial markets.

With local manufacturing and assembly capabilities, an established dealer network across South Africa and neighbouring countries, and a strong reputation for quality, technical expertise and practical customer support, Apollo continues to expand its footprint across Southern Africa.

Our business is built on hands-on management, teamwork, innovation, skills development and a commitment to delivering reliable renewable energy solutions.

The Opportunity

Apollo Solar Technology is looking for an experienced and commercially driven Key Accounts Sales Executive to maintain and grow major retail, merchant and corporate customer relationships within an allocated region.

This is a senior, field-based, B2B sales role for someone with a proven ability to open doors, develop business and grow revenue within large or multi-branch customer groups.  The perfect candidate is someone who can turn strong customer relationships into measurable, profitable sales growth.

The successful candidate should be equally comfortable engaging with Head Office decision-makers, buyers and procurement teams, as they are working with regional and branch-level teams.

While protecting and strengthening existing accounts is important, we are particularly interested in someone who naturally looks for untapped opportunities, new customers, additional branches and ways to increase Apollo’s share of business.

What Success looks like

Success in this role will be measured by profitable paid sales growth, growth of existing key accounts, new account development, quotation conversion, pipeline quality, strategic product growth and the ability to build commercially valuable relationships across customer organisations.

Location & Travel

This is a field-based sales position.

Candidates will be considered according to the region in which they are based, and the successful candidate will primarily be responsible for customers and business development opportunities within that region.

Regular travel within the allocated region will form an important part of the role.

Key Responsibilities

Key Account Growth

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major retail, merchant, corporate accounts and commercial projects within the allocated region.

• Build strong relationships across Head Office, procurement, regional management and branch/store-level stakeholders.

• Identify opportunities to expand Apollo’s product offering and increase sales within existing customer groups.

• Develop Apollo’s presence across additional branches, regions and relevant customer channels.

New Business Development

• Proactively identify, approach and develop new B2B customers.

• Open new doors within retail groups, merchant networks, buying groups and independent multi-branch businesses.

• Identify commercially worthwhile opportunities and actively progress them through the sales process.

• Build a strong network within the relevant industry and geographic region.

Consultative & Solution Selling

• Understand customer requirements and recommend appropriate Apollo products and renewable energy solutions.

• Present Apollo’s product offering clearly and commercially, translating product features into meaningful value for the customer.

• Guide opportunities from initial engagement through negotiation and successful conclusion.

Presentations, Product Training & Customer Engagement

• Confidently present and promote Apollo products to individual decision-makers as well as larger groups or audiences.

• Conduct product presentations and training sessions for buyers, sales teams, branch staff and other stakeholders.

• Explain technical products in a practical and commercially relevant way.

• Participate in training sessions, store visits, roadshows, trade events, launches and promotional activities where required.

• Create enthusiasm and confidence around Apollo products and equip customers to sell them effectively.

Negotiation & Closing

• Engage confidently with buyers, procurement teams and senior product stakeholders.

• Negotiate commercial opportunities and close significant B2B sales.

• Manage multi-level and multi-branch sales opportunities involving different stakeholders.

• Develop long-term customer relationships without losing focus on measurable commercial results.

Sales Activity & Reporting

• Maintain an active and credible pipeline of current and prospective business.

• Follow up quotations and opportunities consistently.

• Provide regular forecasts and meaningful updates on key customer opportunities.

• Monitor competitor activity, customer feedback and relevant market developments.

• Provide useful market intelligence to support future sales and product opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience

• A tertiary qualification in Business, Sales, Marketing or a related field will be advantageous.

• A minimum of 5 years’ proven B2B external sales experience, with a strong and demonstrable sales track record.

• Proven experience in Key Accounts, Corporate Sales or Strategic Account Management.

• Experience selling products into large retailers, merchant groups, buying groups or multi-branch customer environments.

• Demonstrated success in developing new business and growing existing customer accounts.

• Proven ability to engage, influence and negotiate with senior customer stakeholders and decision-makers.

• Strong presentation and communication skills, including the ability to confidently sell or present products to groups and teams.

• Ability to work independently and take ownership of an allocated sales region.

• A valid driver’s licence and reliable transport are essential.

• Must be willing and able to travel throughout the allocated region.

We are particularly interested in a natural hunter, someone who enjoys opening doors, creating opportunities and winning new business.

Ideal Industry Background

Candidates with B2B sales experience in any of the following or similar environments will be particularly well suited to this role:

Hardware | Building Materials | Plumbing | Electrical | Renewable Energy | FMCG-to-Retail | Technical or Product-Based Multi-Branch Distribution

An established network of relevant contacts and/or industry relationships will be a significant advantage.  Candidates who already have strong relationships within hardware retailers, plumbing merchants, building merchants, buying groups, independent dealers or large-format retail environments may be particularly well positioned to succeed quickly in this role.

Package & Remuneration

This is a commission-only independent sales opportunity, ideally suited to an experienced sales professional who is already actively servicing customers within the relevant hardware, building materials, plumbing, electrical, renewable energy or related merchant environment and who can add the Apollo product range to their existing portfolio without creating a conflict of interest.

The successful candidate will earn a commission percentage based on qualifying sales, with earning potential directly linked to sales performance.

Apollo will provide product training, sales support and access to an established customer base and renewable energy product range, while the consultant will be responsible for maintaining and growing sales within their allocated region.

Application

We would like to thank all candidates in advance for submitting their applications.

Please note that ONLY applications submitted through PNet will be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates selected to continue through the recruitment pro