Audrey Swanepoel
Germist
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in management, strategy formulation and implementation, and business development. Proven track record in developing profitable sales approaches, conducting profit and loss analysis, and making strategic decisions. Adept at team leadership, staff recruitment, and developing people to achieve organisational goals. Proficient in Microsoft Office and skilled in public speaking. Seeking to leverage these competencies along with a recently obtained MBA from GIBS, to drive business growth and success.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Local Trade Manager
Hilti South Africa (Pty) LTD.
Midrand, Gauteng
01.2025 - Current
- Formulating and implementing strategies for trades across South Africa.
- Identifying opportunities and developing sales approaches to ensure double digit growth over prior year.
- Conducting competitor/s analysis and aligning this to developed sales approaches.
- Managing trades strategic product margin across South Africa to ensure profitable regions in the market organisations in alignment strategic initiatives and sales approaches.
- Delegated tasks efficiently to maximise productivity.
- Led performance reviews, identified areas for improvement.
- Developed accurate sales forecasts for improved strategic planning.
- Collaborating with global team to share marketing trends for successful approaches to be scaled in other global regions.
- Supervised project timelines for timely completion.
- Streamlined communication channels, enhanced internal information flow.
- Enforcing collaboration with supporting departments and market organisation sales teams to enhance efficiency.
Trade Lead Area Sales Manager
Hilti South Africa (Pty) LTD.
Midrand, Gauteng
07.2022 - 12.2024
- Cultivated strong relationships with suppliers and other industry players to ensure smooth operations.
- Improved bottom-line results with meticulous budget control.
- Developed robust client relationships for improved business growth.
- Achieved increased customer satisfaction by implementing innovative sales strategies.
- Develop and implement strategic goals for trades across South-Africa.
- Collaborating directly with international colleagues to create market awareness and strategic initiatives.
- Collaborating with local sales managers, marketing and global material managers to forecast and implement stock control.
- Drove revenue growth by identifying and capitalising on emerging market trends.
- Conducted detailed market analysis to identify new opportunities.
- Implemented training programmes, improving team performance levels.
Area Sales Manager
HILTI (PTY) Ltd.
Midrand
01.2016 - 07.2022
- Managing a team of 8 people, specialising in the following trades within the construction industry.
- Trained team members for improved selling techniques and product knowledge.
- Assisted in implemented innovative marketing campaigns to increase brand awareness.
- Achieved market growth by developing robust sales strategies.
- Conducted competitive analysis to identify and capitalise on business opportunities.
- Leveraged digital tools for efficient lead tracking and follow-up; enhanced conversion rates.
- Presented sales reports at director meetings, influencing future strategy decisions.
- Directed staff recruitment to build a high-performing sales team.
- Developed new territories, expanding company reach and market share.
- Negotiated contracts with key clients to secure valuable business deals.
- Achieved and exceeded sales targets in line with client growth across all products and services.
- Strengthened profit opportunities through targeted customer relationship development, building product baskets offerings and reducing overheads where possible.
- Managed strategic profit margin & revenue to ensure positive net profit growth year-on-year.
- Creating a caring and performance-oriented environment by role modelling company values, behaviours and attitudes.
- Demonstrating leadership skills to be creative, taking calculable risks and bringing out the best out of my team, through applying different leadership styles according to circumstances.
- Coaching others by recognising their strengths and gaps, through regular reviews, field coaching and following up to identify areas of development.
- Develop my team members in their current role and beyond.
- Building a team that is diverse, inclusive and powerful.
- Playing an active role in identifying and developing Focus Customers.
- Proactively drive solution business.
- Analysed market trends, enabling informed decision-making about strategic direction.
- Collaborated cross-functionally, enhancing internal communication and teamwork.
Account Manager
HILTI (PTY) Ltd.
Midrand
12.2014 - 12.2015
- Establishing contact person relationships within Focus Customers (on all organisational levels and persona types) and ensure high quality contact data for them
- Identifying customers needs by having a deep understanding of the corresponding trade/s, applications and relevant competitors
- Creating specific Account Development Plans through addressing the relevant customer needs and potential
- Conduct management meetings with key decision makers
- Systematically following up on opportunities and converting them into sustainable business
- Having a deeper understanding of Hilti Value Propositions across all product portfolio's and linking them to customer needs
- Effectively planning my time schedule, with day/week/month & quarter objectives in mind
- Understanding the financial situation of the customer, resolving complaints and actively supporting accounts receivable
Marketing & Sales Manager
Fenster Aluminium
Johannesburg
12.2012 - 11.2014
- Company Overview: Company specialising in imported German product lines, specifically engineered for double glazing
- My team consisted of 4 people (3 Sales Representatives, 1 Sales Administrator)
- Company specialising in imported German product lines, specifically engineered for double glazing
Marketing & Sales Co-Ordinator
Star Group
Johannesburg
07.2010 - 11.2012
- Company Overview: Division specialising in a stretchable uPVC ceiling membrane
- Taking an active role in both Sales and Marketing for the start up division for Star Group, Extenzo Stretch Ceilings
- Division specialising in a stretchable uPVC ceiling membrane
Marketing Assistant
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg
01.2009 - 07.2010
- Reporting directly to the Marketing Manager in the Faculty of Humanities
Education
Masters in Business Administration - MBA
Gordon Institute of Business Sciences (GIBS)
South Africa 01.2023 - 12.2024
BA - Marketing Communications
University of Johannesburg
01.2006 - 12.2008
Diploma in Marketing Communications - IAA [International Advertising Association's]
University of Johannesburg
01.2008 - 12.2008
Grade 12 - undefined
Hoerskool Alberton
01.2001 - 12.2005
Skills
- Management Skills
- Strategy Formulation & Implementation
- Developing profitable sales approaches
- Profit and Loss Analysis
- Developing people
- Team Leadership
- Staff recruitment
- Decision Making
- Microsoft Office
- Business Development
- Public speaking
Personal Information
- Date of birth: 07/21/87
- Gender: Female
Timeline
Local Trade Manager
Hilti South Africa (Pty) LTD.
01.2025 - Current
Masters in Business Administration - MBA
Gordon Institute of Business Sciences (GIBS)
01.2023 - 12.2024
Trade Lead Area Sales Manager
Hilti South Africa (Pty) LTD.
07.2022 - 12.2024
Area Sales Manager
HILTI (PTY) Ltd.
01.2016 - 07.2022
Account Manager
HILTI (PTY) Ltd.
12.2014 - 12.2015
Marketing & Sales Manager
Fenster Aluminium
12.2012 - 11.2014
Marketing & Sales Co-Ordinator
Star Group
07.2010 - 11.2012
Marketing Assistant
University of Johannesburg
01.2009 - 07.2010
Diploma in Marketing Communications - IAA [International Advertising Association's]
University of Johannesburg
01.2008 - 12.2008
BA - Marketing Communications
University of Johannesburg
01.2006 - 12.2008
Grade 12 - undefined
Hoerskool Alberton
01.2001 - 12.2005
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