Key Accounts Specialist - Panel Parts Sales

Key Accounts Specialist - Panel Parts Sales

To grow national panel parts sales by developing new business and managing key customer accounts within the motor industry. The role is responsible for building strong customer relationships, achieving sales targets and coordinating service delivery across participating dealerships.

• Manage and grow a portfolio of key accounts, including panel beaters, repair groups, insurers and other relevant customers.
• Identify new business opportunities and secure customers to increase panel parts sales nationally.
• Develop account plans with clear sales targets, growth opportunities and customer service priorities.
• Conduct regular customer visits across South Africa to understand requirements, strengthen relationships and review account performance.
• Present parts supply solutions and negotiate pricing and commercial terms within approved guidelines.
• Work closely with dealership parts teams to coordinate quotations, stock availability, order fulfilment and deliveries.
• Take ownership of customer queries and complaints, coordinate their resolution and escalate outstanding matters promptly.
• Identify service gaps and agree improvement plans with customers and internal teams, tracking actions through to completion.
• Monitor sales, profitability and purchasing trends, and implement actions to address declining or inactive accounts.
• Support Finance with account queries and overdue payments and ensure that customers understand applicable credit terms.
• Maintain accurate customer records and provide regular reports on sales performance, customer activity, opportunities and risks.
• Monitor competitor activity and market developments to inform sales strategies.

Minimum requirements

• At least two years’ experience in sales or key account management in any industry.
• A proven track record of achieving sales targets, growing accounts and maintaining customer relationships.
• A valid South African driver’s licence.
• Willingness and ability to undertake extensive travel across South Africa.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Motor industry, automotive parts or panel parts experience would be advantageous.

Skills and competencies

• Strong relationship management and customer service skills.
• Effective communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to identify sales opportunities.
• Strong planning, organisation and follow-through.
• Practical problem-solving and the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders.
• Accountability for customer commitments and sales results.
• Ability to work independently and manage a national account portfolio.

Key performance indicators

• Achievement of sales and profitability targets.
• Growth in existing accounts and acquisition of new accounts.
• Customer retention and reactivation of inactive accounts.
• Timely resolution of customer queries and completion of improvement plans.
• Delivery of planned customer visits and account reviews.
• Accuracy and timeliness of sales forecasts and account reporting.