Sales Manager-Steel

Role Overview

This position places you at the centre of a growing international trading and manufacturing operation, with ownership of the full B2B sales cycle for steel products across Kenya and neighbouring East African markets. In practice, your week will be split between prospecting and visiting industrial clients, coordinating with overseas mills on pricing and availability, and ensuring every order progresses smoothly from quotation to final payment collection. The work directly determines how quickly the company can expand its regional market share in a competitive commodity sector, so your ability to close deals and maintain long-term supplier-customer relationships is critical.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and secure new accounts among steel fabricators, construction firms, distributors, and industrial end-users across Kenya and adjacent African countries.
• Own the complete sales cycle: prepare accurate quotations, negotiate commercial terms, confirm orders, arrange shipment schedules, and follow through on payment collection and overdue accounts.
• Strengthen existing customer relationships through regular site visits, technical support, and responsive after-sales service to maximise repeat business and referrals.
• Monitor market intelligence—including international steel prices, competitor positioning, currency movements, and infrastructure project developments—to inform pricing strategy and target promising sectors.
• Coordinate between overseas suppliers and local customers on product specifications, delivery milestones, quality issues, and inventory availability to ensure seamless supply.
• Support import/export documentation and logistics, including customs paperwork, freight booking, and compliance with regional trade regulations.
• Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline, reporting weekly on forecasts, customer activity, and market conditions to management.
• Collaborate with internal logistics and finance teams to align inventory levels, credit terms, and delivery commitments with customer demand.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Economics, or a related commercial/technical discipline.
• At least 5–7 years of hands-on B2B sales or business development experience, ideally in a role requiring direct client negotiation and account management.
• Proven exposure to steel trading, steel manufacturing, building materials, industrial equipment, commodity trading, or import/export operations—a distinct advantage when matching candidate experience to this sector.
• Sound knowledge of steel product grades, formats, and applications (e.g., flat products, long products, pipes, or structural sections) and the ability to discuss them credibly with technical buyers.
• Demonstrated ability to manage the entire sales cycle, including credit assessment, invoicing, receivables follow-up, and dispute resolution.
• Working understanding of international trade terms, letters of credit, bills of lading, and regional customs procedures.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to negotiate at executive level and the listening skills to understand customer needs.
• Self-discipline and resourcefulness to work independently with limited supervision, setting your own priorities in a fast-moving market.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Kenya and to neighbouring countries, often at short notice.

What We Offer / Why Join

This is a high-autonomy role within an established international trading and manufacturing business, giving you the chance to shape the company’s growth trajectory in East Africa while working directly with overseas producers. You will be operating in a dynamic commodity market where your commercial instincts and relationship-building skills have a measurable impact on revenue, making this an attractive opportunity for a sales professional who thrives on ownership and visible results.