External Sales Manager Crane & Industrial

External Sales Manager Crane & Industrial

Bekaert Group

Multiple Locations, Belgium

Purpose and Mission

We are seeking a highly motivated External Sales Manager to drive business growth in the Crane & Industrial segment across the European region. This role focuses on developing strong customer relationships, expanding market share, and leveraging data analytics to create actionable insights for sales strategies, pricing, and market development. The ideal candidate combines strong technical and commercial expertise in steel ropes and lifting solutions with a solid background in data-driven decision-making.

Key Activities and Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development

• Develop and execute sales strategies to grow Crane & Industrial business in the European region.
• Identify new business opportunities and expand relationships with distributors, and end-users.
• Negotiate and close contracts with customers, ensuring profitability and long-term value.
• Provide technical expertise and tailored solutions to meet customer needs in the steel ropes sector.

Customer Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong customer partnership, positioning the company as a trusted advisor.
• Regularly visit customers across Europe, ensuring local presence and responsiveness.
• Gather customer feedback to shape product development and service improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with internal stakeholders including product management, R&D, supply chain, and finance.
• Align with global strategy while tailoring initiatives to the specific dynamics of the European markets.
• Support marketing campaigns, trade shows, and technical seminars to promote brand visibility.

Data Analytics & Market Intelligence

• Utilize data analytics to assess sales performance, pricing strategies, and customer segmentation.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and product demand to guide decision-making.
• Translate data insights into actionable sales plans, forecasts, and KPIs.
• Develop dashboards and reporting tools in collaboration with the sales operations and BI teams.
• Drive a culture of data-driven selling within the regional sales organization.

Skills

• Strong technical understanding of ropes and lifting applications in industrial environments.
• Proven success in managing complex sales cycles across multiple countries/markets.
• Advanced proficiency in data analytics tools (Power BI, Excel, CRM systems).
• Ability to translate data insights into clear sales actions and strategic recommendations.
• Strong communication skills and interpersonal abilities.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with a proactive, results-oriented mindset.
• High level of drive, motivation, and self-confidence.
• Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus.

Previous Experience

• Early-career professionals with initial experience in industrial product sales, preferably in cranes, lifting solutions, or steel ropes.

Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field.