Main Purpose:
This role will be responsible for managing existing and new key customers / key accounts, driving business-to-business relationships, and working on a fast-paced, effective sales lead to support Puma Energy's Renewable (Solar and battery Storage Solutions) objectives.
The position will be part of a team focused on selling Pumas solar Renewable (Solar and battery Storage Solutions) energy solutions via PPAs and lease agreements to small and large commercial, industrial (C&I) and utility-scale solar (PV) markets in Africa.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities, Key Responsibilities:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manages the customer/prospect solar and hybrid Puma Energy portfolio in the assigned B2B African region
- Gains new business and make necessary contacts by generating interest and translating the latent needs of the B2B customer into sustainable energy solutions to reach the defined sales objectives
- Expands Puma's energy sales network by identifying, pitching, and building relationships with potential partners and/or customers in key African markets through cold-calling, networking, qualifying prospects, and closing sales.
- Deepens and expands relationships and business with existing partners/customers
- Integrate information, resources, and activities within the region and participates in the formulation of the sales PPA, lease, and rent-to-own contract negotiation and contract confirmation.
- Develops specific customer strategies and campaign plans, driving leadership in their execution
- Is accountable for implementing and executing the monthly, quarterly and annual sales strategy
- Works together with the Solar project manager and Future Energies team in delivering energy projects
- Preparation of quotations, calculation of the economic modeling, follow-up and advice in the design of the appropriate financial structures
- Provides regular reporting to management, including sales pipeline development, forecasting, key account status, market condition updates, sales results and team earnings
- Efficiently and pro-actively manages relationships providing quotations, shepherding orders through the company process, and providing excellent post-sales service on a timely basis
- Manages daily activities of the operational sales support function.
- Oversees workflow of all sales processing including preparation of reports, charts, and other statistics to support and direct the sales department.
- Travel as required
REQUIREMENTS
Background & Experience:
- Minimum 10 years in commercial experience in the B2B renewable energy sector, preferably in Solar PV.
- Experience with utilities, EPCs and IPPs is preferable
- Bachelor’s Degree (NQF Level7) / Equivalent Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Electrical Engineering or equivalent is preferable
- A degree in business administration / sales or affiliation to ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) is a plus
- Strong commercial acumen
- Literacy in financials
Skills:
- Leading people and strong influencing skills
- Strong negotiation and sales skills
- Financial acumen to manage a P&L
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications; Presentation tools and programs;
- Ability to travel extensively
- Fluent English
- Has an experience/affinity with technical products and project sales
- Good organizer and planner with time management skills, you formalize actions and their follow-up/reporting (CRM, salesforce)
Competencies:
- Proficiency in running Solar PV Platforms like PV Syst, Helioscope or equivalent
- Exposure to handling/managing Data loggers
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, organizationally flat environment and under pressure
- Excellent negotiation and analytical skills
- Flexible and stress-resistant, you work well in a continuously changing environment
- Creative, assertive and result-oriented with initiative towards innovative solutions/ideas (entrepreneurial spirit)
- Strong work ethics
- Ability to interact with large external clients and vendors as well as key internal stakeholders
- Work independently
- Be a strong team player, and
- Work on multiple projects concurrently.
Key Relationships and Department Overview:
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Internal – Global Head of Solar & related staff
- External – B2B Customers, Potential Clients / Customers, Service Providers,
