Data Centre Sales Manager, South Africa

Eaton · Johannesburg

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The Data Centre Sales Manager, South Africa will be responsible for driving Eaton's data centre business growth across the territory, leading sales strategy, account development, pipeline generation, revenue growth, margin performance, forecasting, and commercial execution. The role will manage and develop a growing team of Data Centre Sales, Key Account, Sales Engineering, and Field Application Engineering professionals, supporting Eaton's expansion in a rapidly growing African data centre market.

As the primary data centre leader for the territory, the individual will act as the principal internal and external point of contact, driving engagement with customers, consultants, contractors, global accounts, and executive stakeholders. The role requires ownership of territory planning, account strategy, and cross-functional collaboration to secure business opportunities and deliver consistent commercial results.

Working closely with regional and global account teams, business units, bid management, project execution, marketing, and country sales organizations, the successful candidate will ensure effective opportunity qualification, value proposition development, tender support, and project delivery. The role requires a strong commercial mindset, executive presence, and a proven track record of success within the data centre industry, with the ability to influence stakeholders, build strategic relationships, and scale business growth across the region.

Location: Johannesburg

Key Responsibilities

Lead and develop the Data Centre sales organization in South Africa, providing coaching, support, and performance management for sales, key account, sales engineering, and field application engineering teams.
Drive revenue growth, profitability, and market share across the Data Centre segment through effective commercial leadership and execution.
Develop and execute territory sales strategies, account plans, and growth initiatives aligned with Eaton's business objectives.
Own and manage sales pipeline, orders, revenue, margin, forecasting, and reporting for the assigned territory.
Support the expansion and scaling of the Data Centre business by building and growing high-performing teams to meet future market demand.
Act as the primary internal and external representative for Eaton's Data Centre business within the territory.
Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, consultants, contractors, channel partners, and key industry stakeholders.
Serve as the interface for global accounts and engage with executive-level stakeholders to influence business outcomes and secure strategic opportunities.
Coordinate with regional and global Data Centre teams to identify, pursue, and report on opportunities across the territory, regardless of account ownership or project origin.
Collaborate closely with regional and global account managers, business units, bid response teams, marketing, project execution teams, and country sales organizations to secure and deliver business opportunities.
Identify and develop strategic accounts, consultants, and contractors that can influence project specifications and unlock commercial opportunities.
Lead opportunity identification, qualification, customer needs analysis, value proposition development, and consultative selling activities.
Support and continuously improve sales processes, methodologies, and best practices for the Data Centre segment.
Oversee and support tendering, bid management, project execution, and service delivery activities to ensure successful customer outcomes.
Maintain deep market, customer, and competitor intelligence to identify emerging trends, opportunities, and threats.
Develop compelling commercial proposals and communicate Eaton's differentiated value proposition across products, solutions, and services.
Champion a customer-centric approach and ensure alignment with Data Centre industry standards, customer requirements, and market expectations.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or Higher Diploma in Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent Data Centre industry experience.Master's degree preferred.
10+ years of experience within the Data Centre industry.
Deep understanding of the Data Centre market, customer landscape, and industry trends.
Advanced project and programme management experience with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
Proven track record of driving innovation and engineering excellence.
Understanding of Data Centre design, operations, and infrastructure.
Familiarity with emerging technologies, including AI, edge computing, and digital infrastructure trends.
Proven experience building, leading, and developing high-performing teams.
Demonstrated ability to inspire, influence, and coordinate cross-functional stakeholders.
Strong customer focus and entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for business growth.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong executive presence with the ability to engage and influence senior customer and industry leaders.
Proven ability to manage complex business situations and drive successful outcomes.
Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Ability to identify, implement, and continuously improve tools, processes, and ways of working.
Strong judgment in knowing when to lead, support, influence, listen, or direct to achieve desired business outcomes.
Demonstrated success operating within complex, matrixed organizations and driving collaboration across multiple functions.
Strong consultative leadership style with the ability to align technical expertise with commercial objectives.
Track record of delivering long-term business growth through strategic planning, innovation, and customer engagement.

What we offer:

Competitive compensation and benefits package
Challenging projects in dynamic collaborative team
Flexible working solutions (remote, flexible working hours, compressed week, part time etc.)
We make your aspirations matter – Eaton encourages internal promotion, whenever possible
We make your growth matter - We invest in our employees for the long term – not just with salary and benefits, but with ongoing learning and development opportunities made available through Eaton University
We make your contributions matter - reliability, safety, efficiency, and sustainability are at the core of our dedication to improving people’s lives and the environment through power management technologies
We make your wellbeing matter – We put your health and safety first. Wellness at Eaton is more than a program, it’s about changing the environment by offering the right tools to help empower employees to make that happen

All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates’ privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for job applicants and employees. Our recruitment processes use balanced selection criteria and avoid unlawful discrimination against applicants on the basis of their age, colour, disability, marital status, national origin, gender, gender identity, genetic information, race or racial origin, religion, sexual orientation or any other status protected or required by law.

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