Area Sales Manager

Diegem, Belgium

Commercial

Based at the Desmet Head Office in Brussels, you will be responsible for driving sales and marketing activities across the West African market. In this role, you will promote and position Desmet's comprehensive solutions across our key business lines, including seed preparation, solvent extraction, oil refining, fat modification, biodiesel, and HVO/SAF pre-treatment.Join Desmet, a leading global provider of custom-engineered plants and equipment for the food, feed and biofuels industries. Our reliable and innovative technologies transform oilseeds, grains and tropical oils into protein feed/food, edible oils/fats, oleochemicals and biofuel.

• Develop, expand, and proactively prospect the West African market in alignment with the company's business objectives and growth targets.
• Establish, nurture, and strengthen relationships with clients, agents, and the consultant network to support long-term business development.
• Review and analyze client-issued technical and commercial specifications, coordinating internally to propose the most suitable technical solutions.
• Consolidate technical and commercial inputs to build comprehensive final proposals and lead negotiations on terms and conditions.
• Serve as a key liaison between clients and internal engineering teams to ensure seamless communication and project alignment.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of company products, solutions, and services while working closely with internal technical experts and the standardization team.
• Drive revenue growth while ensuring healthy margin contribution.
• Provide regular updates on quotations and project progress, and analyze sales performance data to support strategic decision-making.
• Report directly to the General Manager – Africa, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

• Master's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, or Commercial) with a minimum of 10 years of experience in a technical–commercial role, preferably within an industrial or technical environment in West Africa.
• Based in Belgium with the flexibility to travel across all countries within the assigned sales region.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and intercultural skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively.
• A self‑motivated, proactive, and hands‑on team player who can work independently and drive initiatives forward.
• Fluency in English and French is essential; proficiency in additional languages is considered an advantage.
• Solid understanding of the West African market dynamics, with the capability to develop and expand business opportunities in the region.
• Fast learner with the ability to adapt quickly, solve problems creatively, and offer customer‑centric solutions.
• Demonstrates an analytical, structured, and solution‑oriented mindset, including a proactive \"what if…?\" approach when addressing customer needs.
• Willingness to travel frequently (approximately 30%) to meet clients and support business development activities.

You will join a global market leader in an international environment with highly talented colleagues. We'll offer you a fulltime position with an attractive compensation package and the opportunity to grow and develop in your skills, competencies, and career. Apply now with CV and short motivation.

Desmet is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. We are committed to making selection decisions on the basis of qualifications, merit, or business need, without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any legally protected basis.