Sales Job The Timken Company

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ROLE SUMMARY

Timken is seeking a technically capable and highly motivated Sales Engineer to help expand distribution and business opportunities across selected East African markets, including Ethiopia. Based in Nairobi, the successful candidate will support regional growth through market research, distributor development, technical product assistance, customer engagement, and identification of new commercial opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING

• Develop market expansion plans for Ethiopia and other assigned regional markets in accordance with Timken’s growth priorities and the direction of the Manager.

• Research and identify potential customers, end users, distributors, engineering firms, mining companies, cement manufacturers, power plants, manufacturers, and other industrial businesses within the assigned territories.

• Gather information on customer requirements, competitor activities, market developments, import considerations, and distributor capabilities to support regional business planning.

• Prepare account information, opportunity assessments, and proposed actions for the Manager’s review and decision-making.

CUSTOMER AND DISTRIBUTOR ENGAGEMENT

• Establish and maintain strong professional relationships with distributors, end users, maintenance personnel, engineers, procurement teams, and other relevant industrial stakeholders.

• Carry out scheduled visits to customers and distributors to assess technical requirements, applications, and suitable product solutions.

• Assist distributors with development through technical support, product education, joint customer visits, and coordination of approved marketing initiatives.

• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Customer Service, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and other internal departments to ensure customer and distributor needs are addressed effectively.

• Refer commercial matters such as pricing, discounts, payment or commercial terms, quotations, purchase order approvals, and contract negotiations to the Manager.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Deliver technical presentations, product demonstrations, product information, and application assistance covering Timken bearing and power transmission products.

• Help customers and distributors understand product applications and provide troubleshooting support within approved Timken procedures.

• Review and interpret mechanical drawings, technical specifications, and application details to support appropriate internal recommendations.

• Provide technical product and application training to customers and distributors when authorized by the Country Manager.

PIPELINE, REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE

• Keep CRM information, customer visit records, opportunity details, customer requirements, and distributor engagement records accurate and current.

• Maintain clear visibility of the sales pipeline, demand forecasts, market intelligence, and priority opportunities.

• Observe competitor developments and provide relevant market information to the Manager to support appropriate responses.

• Comply with Timken policies, applicable laws, anti-bribery and anti-corruption requirements, trade compliance rules, and delegated approval authorities.

• Record and manage cross-border travel activities in accordance with approved business, tax, immigration, and legal requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.

• At least 4 years of sales experience in an industrial environment such as bearings, mining, metals, cement, power generation, heavy industry, or industrial distribution.

• Demonstrated experience in technical sales, business development, distributor/channel management, and industrial customer relationship management.

• Excellent spoken and written English.

• Excellent spoken and written Amharic, with the ability to communicate effectively with engineering, maintenance, and other technical professionals in Amharic.

• Valid and clean driver’s license.

• Valid passport and willingness and ability to undertake extensive travel to Ethiopia, including fly-in/fly-out assignments where necessary.

• Legally authorized to work in Kenya and willing to be based close to the Timken Kenya office on State House Road, Nairobi.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering concepts, rotating machinery, and industrial equipment applications.

• Ability to understand and interpret mechanical drawings and technical specifications.

• Strong capability in industrial product applications, troubleshooting, and technical customer support.

• Ability to conduct technical presentations, product demonstrations, and product training sessions for customers and distributors.

• Experience working with distributors and channel partner sales models.

• Understanding of industrial purchasing processes, customer decision-making structures, and sales cycles.

• Familiarity with sales forecasting, pricing structures, reporting systems, and CRM platforms.

• Good proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

• Knowledge of import and export procedures, customs regulations, duties, tariffs, and logistics affecting regional business operations will be an advantage.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Previous commercial or technical experience in Ethiopia or exposure to the Ethiopian market will be an advantage.

• Established relationships within Ethiopian industrial sectors, distributor networks, engineering companies, mining, cement, power generation, manufacturing, or heavy industry will be beneficial.

• Experience expanding into new territories, developing distribution networks, or establishing channel partnerships across East Africa or comparable emerging markets.

• Familiarity with mining, cement, power generation, manufacturing, heavy industry, or industrial distribution within Ethiopia and neighbouring markets.

• Experience working across different African countries, cultures, and distributor-led business environments.

• Experience launching or expanding operations within a new or developing market while working within defined commercial approval and authority structures.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Energetic, ambitious, and strongly driven to identify and develop new business.

• Self-motivated with an entrepreneurial approach to work.

• Strong prospecting and business development abilities.

• Comfortable operating independently within an emerging or developing territory.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-influencing skills.

• Strong customer focus and practical problem-solving approach.

• Proactive in identifying and developing market opportunities.

• Adaptable, resilient, and capable of building relationships across different cultures and business environments.

• Effective team player who can work collaboratively with Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Customer Service, Supply Chain, and other internal teams.

Application

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