Sales Force
Alexandra John
Technical Sales Manager
Johannesburg
Summary
A seasoned Business Leader with extensive commercial and technical experience in growing Liquid Inks & associated FMCG markets across Africa. Credible experience in establishing and managing high-risk supply routes across the continent and into remote areas with limited access to chemical resources. Leader with a passion for people who has spent considerable time training local staff and management teams in the manufacture and testing of liquid inks. Excellent success achieved in generating new business revenue streams through backward integration of key raw materials and implementing innovative chemical solutions for clients.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Chief consultant
JCHEM GROUP TRADING(PTY) LTD
01.2024 - Current
- Commercial Consulting – Generate additional sales into border countries, Market intel, Client liaison, Contract negotiation, Global contract services and Alignment
- Supply Chain Consulting – Raw material sourcing, Pricing, Distribution channel optimization.
- Technical Services – Ink Formulations, Costings, Operational Optimization, Troubleshooting, Plant Commissioning, Trial Management, Quality, HSE
New Business Development Executive
Huber Group, RSA
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Develop of new business opportunities outside South Africa (up to Ethiopia)
- Expand sales into auxiliary/adjacent sectors e.g., polymers, masterbatch, printing substrates
- Provide technical services to customers when required.
- Assist with commissioning new printing machines to capture future business.
- Training of local staff for cross-border technical services
Key Account Manager
Flint Group, RSA
03.2021 - 06.2022
- Set and achieve sales plans in line with business targets.
- Implement growth plans within the current client base.
- Manage team of 35+ in-plant technicians
- Staff training and development (operations and lab)
- Weekly sales reports
- Provided insightful sales forecasts based on thorough market assessment and industry trends.
- Ensure HSE compliance across multiple sites.
- Rationalize/manage inventory holding on a national level (key accounts)
General Manager
LAJ Technologies, RSA
01.2019 - 02.2021
- Responsible for commissioning of LAJ TECHNOLOGIES factory based in Alberton
- Achieved sales using existing network regarding clients who purchased chemicals.
- Specialized in the sales of hazardous goods
- Switched business module during COVID to sustain the company
- Developed local in house formulations to minimize base cost while achieving market related selling price.
- Staff Training (operational & lab)
- Packaging design and optimization
- Assist with commissioning of new printing machines to ensure LAJ TECHNOLOGIES had the correct product to sell.
Key Account Manager
Deluxe Inks, Kenya
01.2017 - 03.2018
- Optimize business operating model (increase sales and identify loss leaders)
- Manage national sales plan and team.
- Provide sales and technical services into neighboring countries – Zambia, Uganda, Ethiopia.
- Supply chain management (including raw material procurement)
- Raw material sourcing – centralize buying power and negotiate contracts.
- Implement emerging technologies in the region to mitigate raw material constraints.
Product Manager
Huber Group, RSA, and Kenya
01.2013 - 12.2016
- Commercial and technical lead for inks division for Huber South Africa
- Business planning and annual budgets
- Manage primary sales into South Africa.
- Develop secondary sales markets – exports into Africa.
- Won significant business in Malawi and Angola
National Account Manager
Siegwerk, RSA
01.2009 - 12.2012
- Optimize business operating model regarding growth of the chemical sector within the company portfolio.
- Grow business through technical expertise nationally.
- Establish the tobacco inks and packaging markets in Africa.
- Formulation analysis project - lead to savings of 30% in tobacco sector
- Staff training – Customer service, Technical service, training on XRITE regarding S.A.B products.
- Developed novel technology regarding returnable glass bottles.
Marketing Manager
Hitech Inks, RSA
01.1999 - 12.2008
- Responsible for Marketing Strategy into SADC/Angola/West Africa/East Africa/Middle East/India/China regions
Technical Services Manager
Hitech Inks, RSA
01.2003 - 12.2005
- Technical and Commercial lead, managed team of thirteen people.
Factory Manager
Hitech Inks, RSA
10.1999 - 12.2002
- Responsible for quality control, production, R&D. Managed team of sixteen people
Apprenticeship
Coates Brothers, RSA
10.1996 - 09.1999
- Completed apprenticeship program that included factory general work, lab analysis, quality control exposure until eventual appointment as a Laboratory Technician.
Education
N4 Electrical Engineering - Electrical Engineering
Cato Manor Technical College
Durban, South Africa12-1995
Skills
- General Expertise in:
- Ink Formulation, Pigments, Resins, Solvents
- Technical Sales
- Sales Management
- B2B Marketing and Branding
- Contract Management & Negotiation
- Distribution Management
- Gravure Printing
- Corrugated Printing
- Flexographic Printing
References
Marcel, Bruehn, Global Sales Director, Huber Group, Germany, Contact details available on request
Accomplishments
- Responsible for the following breakthrough technical strategies in the applicable industries:
- Novel Ink Colour Testing using LCH Machine Technology (decreased machine downtime by 50%)
- Single Pack white for reverse shrink sleeve printing (reduced manufacturing costs by 20%)
- Novel Beer Label Ink Re-formulation (increased machine speeds and plant productivity by 50%)
- Pioneered ethoxy base ink manufacture in South Africa.
- Won accounts with key clients across Africa – Nampak, Amcor, Afripak, CTP Gravure, Thuthuka, Mondi MPACT, Golden Era, Corusseal, Polyvision, Gorock Plastics, Acton Plastics, Trade Kings, Graphic Systems Angola/Congo, Tanzania Cigarette Company, Creative Foam, Premier Flexibles
- Deluxe Inks Business Rescue – spearheaded a successful turnaround strategy to return the business to profitability in Kenya. Included Business Re-structure and staff re-training.
- First to commission four ink markers in East Africa (Kenya/Ethiopia/Rwanda, Uganda)
- Formulation Savings up to 50% savings for Solvent-based Inks
- Established Alternate Cost-effective Raw Material Supply Corridors across Africa e.g., India-Southern Africa, West Africa-South Africa, China-Kenya, China-Nigeria
Additional Information
- South African, Male
- Languages – English, Afrikaans
- Resident in South Africa
- I am willing to relocate internationally.
Experienced in the following international markets:
- Africa – West Africa, East Africa, SADC
- Middle East
- India
- China
Software
CRM
Data colour
XRITE
HOBBIES
In my downtime- I stick to a strict cardio workout, play league volleyball and recently learning on how to use AI to broaden my knowledge
Timeline
Chief consultant
JCHEM GROUP TRADING(PTY) LTD
01.2024 - Current
New Business Development Executive
Huber Group, RSA
01.2023 - 12.2023
Key Account Manager
Flint Group, RSA
03.2021 - 06.2022
General Manager
LAJ Technologies, RSA
01.2019 - 02.2021
Key Account Manager
Deluxe Inks, Kenya
01.2017 - 03.2018
Product Manager
Huber Group, RSA, and Kenya
01.2013 - 12.2016
National Account Manager
Siegwerk, RSA
01.2009 - 12.2012
Technical Services Manager
Hitech Inks, RSA
01.2003 - 12.2005
Factory Manager
Hitech Inks, RSA
10.1999 - 12.2002
Marketing Manager
Hitech Inks, RSA
01.1999 - 12.2008
Apprenticeship
Coates Brothers, RSA
10.1996 - 09.1999
N4 Electrical Engineering - Electrical Engineering
Cato Manor Technical College