Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Surge Energy Limited (Surge) is a company that specializes in manufacturing and revalidating of steel LPG cylinders. It was incorporated in 2017 and is located in Kisaju, Kenya. The strategic location provides convenient access to Kenya's capital city, Nairobi, the Mombasa Port through the Internal Container Depot (ICD), and the entire East Africa region. Surge has made a significant investment of 28 million USD in a state-of-the-art, fully automated LPG cylinder manufacturing line of Turkish origin. The facility occupies a built-up area of over 100,000 square feet.

Job Specification/Purpose:

The Deputy Sales & Marketing Manager will work closely with the Head of Sales & Marketing to develop and execute sales strategies, lead day-to-day sales operations, manage key accounts, and help build a high-performing sales team. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines strategic support with operational delivery in the LPG cylinder manufacturing and revalidation sector.

Responsibilities or duties:

• Assist in developing and implementing sales strategies to meet and exceed revenue targets.
• Support market research and analysis to identify new business opportunities, customer needs, and industry trends.
• Contribute to sales budgets, forecasts, and performance reporting; prepare accurate data and insights for the Head of Department.
• Support the Head of Sales & Marketing in leading, mentoring, and developing the sales team.
• Identify training needs and assist in organising development programmes for the sales team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, distributors, and partners.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through effective account management and responsive support.
• Address customer concerns promptly and escalate complex issues appropriately.
• Sales Operations
• Any other activities/ tasks assigned by the line manager to meet company goals and objectives.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities to expand the customer base and increase market share.
• Maintain and grow a robust pipeline of prospective clients and projects.
• Support negotiation of contracts and agreements with key accounts and strategic partners (under guidance of the Head of Sales & Marketing).
• Oversee day-to-day sales operations including order processing, pricing coordination, and contract management.
• Collaborate closely with production and supply chain teams to ensure timely delivery and order fulfilment.
• Monitor sales performance metrics and KPIs; recommend and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Monitor debtors weekly and follow up payments
• Issue tenders timely with support of head of division
• Maintain records of key areas and share to the reporting line on time
• Stay updated on industry trends, competitor activities, and regulatory developments affecting the LPG cylinder market.
• Provide timely insights and information to the Head of Sales & Marketing to support strategic decision-making.
• Conduct timely research and surveys as per department head guidance

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Sales and Marketing, Business Administration, Commerce, Marketing, or a related field.
• Professional qualification in Sales, Marketing, Business Management, or a related discipline will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and sales/CRM systems.
• Fluency in French is mandatory. The successful candidate must be able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken French.
• Strong proficiency in English, both written and spoken.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-development skills.
• Excellent negotiation, relationship-building, and customer management abilities.
• Analytical mindset with experience in sales forecasting, budgeting, and KPI monitoring.
• Good understanding of market research and competitive intelligence.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to work cross-functionally with production and supply chain.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel) and CRM systems; experience with sales performance tools is an advantage.
• Fluent French communication – mandatory
• High integrity, resilience, and results orientation.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker who is also comfortable with hands-on execution.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work with limited supervision while supporting the Head of Department.
• Customer-focused with a collaborative approach.
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Experience needed

Minimum 5–7 years relevant experience in sales and business development, preferably within manufacturing, LPG, energy, industrial products, or a related sector.

Demonstrated experience in supervising or leading a sales team.

Proven experience in business development, key account management, customer relationship management, and achievement of sales targets.

Good understanding of sales reporting, forecasting, market analysis, and performance management.

• Assist in developing and implementing sales strategies to meet and exceed revenue targets.
• Support market research and analysis to identify new business opportunities, customer needs, and industry trends.
• Contribute to sales budgets, forecasts, and performance reporting; prepare accurate data and insights for the Head of Department.
• Support the Head of Sales & Marketing in leading, mentoring, and developing the sales team.
• Identify training needs and assist in organising development programmes for the sales team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, distributors, and partners.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through effective account management and responsive support.
• Address customer concerns promptly and escalate complex issues appropriately.
• Sales Operations
• Any other activities/ tasks assigned by the line manager to meet company goals and objectives.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities to expand the customer base and increase market share.
• Maintain and grow a robust pipeline of prospective clients and projects.
• Support negotiation of contracts and agreements with key accounts and strategic partners (under guidance of the Head of Sales & Marketing).
• Oversee day-to-day sales operations including order processing, pricing coordination, and contract management.
• Collaborate closely with production and supply chain teams to ensure timely delivery and order fulfilment.
• Monitor sales performance metrics and KPIs; recommend and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Monitor debtors weekly and follow up payments
• Issue tenders timely with support of head of division
• Maintain records of key areas and share to the reporting line on time
• Stay updated on industry trends, competitor activities, and regulatory developments affecting the LPG cylinder market.
• Provide timely insights and information to the Head of Sales & Marketing to support strategic decision-making.
• Conduct timely research and surveys as per department head guidance

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-development skills.
• Excellent negotiation, relationship-building, and customer management abilities.
• Analytical mindset with experience in sales forecasting, budgeting, and KPI monitoring.
• Good understanding of market research and competitive intelligence.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to work cross-functionally with production and supply chain.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel) and CRM systems; experience with sales performance tools is an advantage.
• Fluent French communication – mandatory
• High integrity, resilience, and results orientation.

• Bachelors degree in Sales and Marketing, Business Administration, Commerce, Marketing, or a related field.
• Professional qualification in Sales, Marketing, Business Management, or a related discipline will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and sales/CRM systems.
• Fluency in French is mandatory. The successful candidate must be able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken French.
• Strong proficiency in English, both written and spoken.