Internal Sales and Exports Consultant

Internal Sales and Exports Consultant - JHB

Our reputable client within the battery distribution and automotive industry is seeking a highly experienced, detail-oriented and self-motivated Internal Sales and Exports Consultant to manage their export portfolio while supporting internal sales operations at their Johannesburg branch.

The successful candidate must have extensive export experience, excellent sales and customer service skills, strong administrative abilities and exceptional attention to detail.

This position requires a mature, proactive and analytical individual who can work independently, take full ownership of their responsibilities, question discrepancies and manage the export portfolio with minimal supervision.

Purpose of the Job:
To independently manage the company's export portfolio from start to finish while supporting internal sales, customer account management, export documentation, freight coordination, invoicing and compliance requirements.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring accurate processing of export transactions, maintaining excellent customer relationships and proactively identifying and resolving discrepancies to ensure efficient operations.

Requirements:

• Matric or relevant tertiary qualification
• Minimum 7+ years' sales experience with a proven sales track record
• Minimum 5 years' practical export experience (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
• Strong experience managing export processes from start to finish
• Experience handling export documentation, including SAD500, N1, N2 and SADC certificates
• Experience coordinating road, air and sea freight
• Knowledge of export procedures, border documentation and compliance requirements
• Experience liaising with freight companies, transporters and export houses
• Strong internal sales and customer account management experience
• Experience preparing quotations, processing orders and following up with customers
• Understanding of export invoicing, foreign currencies, tax types and GL codes
• Product and application knowledge, including the ability to read catalogues
• Strong Microsoft Office and computer literacy
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Fluent in English, both written and verbal
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Able to manage a demanding workload and multiple priorities
• Confident enough to question information, identify discrepancies and challenge incorrect processes
• Proactive, self-motivated and able to manage responsibilities without constant follow-up
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership
• Persuasive, persistent and results-driven
• Professional, well-spoken and presentable
• Able to work well under pressure

Key Responsibilities:

Internal Sales

• Manage existing and new customer accounts for the sale of company products
• Build and maintain strong relationships with wholesale and other customers
• Ensure excellent customer service and prompt feedback
• Prepare and process customer quotations daily
• Follow up on outstanding quotations and sales opportunities
• Accurately capture and process customer sales orders
• Liaise with the warehouse regarding stock availability and customer queries
• Coordinate urgent deliveries with the dispatch department
• Contact customers daily according to designated area listings
• Maintain and regularly update the customer database
• Communicate stock shortages and alternative product options to customers
• Manage back orders and keep customers updated regarding expected delivery dates
• Participate in sales strategy meetings and planning sessions
• Maintain effective communication with all relevant departments
• Provide backup support for reception, administration and filing when required
• Assist with stock takes as and when required

Export Portfolio Management

• Independently manage the company's export portfolio from start to finish
• Coordinate and oversee all export orders and related administration
• Capture export orders accurately and liaise with the Sales Manager regarding product availability
• Identify suitable alternative products where requested items are unavailable
• Ensure all export transactions are correctly processed and documented
• Maintain accurate electronic and physical files for each export customer
• Ensure complete transaction records are maintained for auditing and compliance purposes
• Follow up on outstanding export quotations weekly
• Monitor export orders and proactively resolve potential delays or discrepancies
• Take full responsibility for the accuracy and completion of export transactions

Export Documentation and Compliance

• Prepare, check and maintain all required export documentation
• Ensure SAD500, N1 and N2 documents are received from transporters
• Submit the required export documentation to Head Office monthly for SARS purposes
• Ensure all necessary border documentation is accurate and complete
• Verify that the correct goods have been packed and are ready for export
• Ensure proof of export documentation is returned and submitted to Finance
• Ensure SADC certificates are available when required
• Verify that all export procedures and requirements are followed correctly
• Ensure inspection processes are implemented effectively for export orders
• Arrange and coordinate inspections of goods where required
• Ensure correct product labels are used and sufficient labels are available
• Check final export paperwork and inventory before goods leave the premises
• Maintain accurate filing and documentation for audits and assessments
• Liaise with Finance for clarification or approval of uncertain export terms before processing

Freight and Logistics Coordination

• Arrange and coordinate road, air and sea freight for export orders
• Liaise with freight companies, transporters and export houses
• Obtain freight quotations and compare available options
• Establish initial contact and coordinate arrangements with export houses
• Confirm shipment weights with dispatch before preparing customer quotations
• Ensure the correct freight information is used when quoting customers
• Coordinate with warehouse and dispatch teams to ensure accurate and timely shipments
• Follow up on outstanding shipping and export documentation
• Identify and resolve freight-related discrepancies or delays
• Ensure all export shipments are properly coordinated and documented

Export Invoicing and Financial Administration

• Prepare and verify export invoices for accuracy
• Refer to previous invoices to ensure consistency in invoicing methods
• Ensure correct tax types and General Ledger (GL) codes are captured
• Verify that the correct currency is used when quoting and invoicing customers, including Rand, US Dollar and Euro
• Ensure appropriate spot and forward exchange rates are available for quotations and invoicing, including 60-day accounts
• Check applicable exchange rates for accuracy before processing transactions
• Ensure customer payments are deposited into the correct bank accounts
• Confirm that cash-on-delivery (COD) payments have cleared before goods are released
• Liaise with Finance regarding invoicing queries, payment confirmations and export compliance
• Identify and question incorrect financial information before processing
• Maintain accurate financial and export transaction records

Customer Account Management

• Build and maintain professional relationships with local and export customers
• Respond promptly to customer enquiries and requests for quotations
• Provide customers with accurate product, pricing and delivery information
• Follow up on quotations, orders and outstanding customer requirements
• Communicate stock shortages, back orders and expected delivery dates
• Resolve customer queries professionally and efficiently
• Maintain accurate customer records and transaction histories
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and service delivery
• Proactively identify sales opportunities within existing customer accounts

Reporting and Administration

• Prepare regular sales reports relating to export customers
• Maintain organised and up-to-date export records
• Ensure accurate data capturing and document control
• Monitor outstanding quotations, orders and export documentation
• Maintain accurate records for compliance and audit purposes
• Assist with general sales administration when required
• Communicate relevant updates and potential concerns to the Sales Manager
• Ensure all assigned tasks are completed accurately and within required deadlines

General Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the export portfolio and associated responsibilities
• Work independently without requiring constant supervision
• Demonstrate initiative and proactively follow up on outstanding matters
• Question incorrect information, unusual transactions and discrepancies rather than accepting information at face value
• Apply analytical thinking and sound judgement when reviewing export transactions
• Identify potential operational, financial or compliance risks
• Escalate matters requiring management or Finance approval
• Maintain exceptional attention to detail across all sales and export activities
• Manage multiple priorities and heavy workloads effectively
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures
• Maintain professional communication with customers, suppliers and internal departments
• Demonstrate accountability, reliability and a strong sense of urgency

Important Candidate Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years' export experience is NON-NEGOTIABLE
• Must have practical experience managing export processes and documentation
• Must be capable of managing the export portfolio independently
• Must have exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Must be confident enough to question discrepancies and incorrect information
• Must demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Must be proactive, accountable and able to self-manage
• Must be comfortable working with minimal supervision
• Must be able to handle a demanding workload and multiple priorities

Please take note: If you have not been contacted within 14 days, please consider your application unsuccessful.