Sean John Botha
Gauteng
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Founder & Managing Director – Sub Saharan Africa
Purpleskwirrel Hydrauics (Pty) Ltd.
06.2020 - Current
- Founded the company during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully convincing SADC and African customers to pay 100% upfront, enabling the business to fund its operations and future opportunities
- Conducted extensive research and site visits to top-tier hydraulic suppliers across Europe, the USA, and Asia, establishing partnerships that enabled the company to operate across OEM, original part manufacturing, and replacement product markets
- Utilized relationships with former customers and ex-colleagues to generate referrals, transitioning them into loyal customers with 30-day net credit accounts
- Launched and developed a creative and executive search division, expanding the Purpleskwirrel Group's offerings and broadening its market presence
Regional Director, West Africa
Bosch Rexroth
02.2015 - 06.2020
- Developed and implemented a Business Development Strategy for 23 West African countries, securing approval from Bosch and Bosch Rexroth boards in Germany
- Led the selection of the regional hub location, considering logistical challenges across the region
- Managed the upgrade of the regional HUB building to meet Bosch Rexroth standards
- Oversaw the selection and installation of testing, calibration, and reporting equipment, including hydraulic pump, motor, and cylinder test benches
- Conducted a regional survey on the installed base of industrial power packs and mobile hydraulic equipment to optimize inventory stocking
- Implemented onsite hose, fittings, and filter container installations for mobile customers throughout West Africa
- Recruited, managed, and trained regional staff, developing an employment strategy based on revenue and profitability to support efficient operations
- Drove the growth and expansion of the central HUB, ensuring effective service delivery across all 23 countries
Managing Director
Lereko Mining Supplies (Pty) Ltd
02.2011 - 01.2015
- Appointed to lead and restructure a financially constrained company with existing vendor codes in major mining houses and construction sector companies
- Expanded vendor codes and diversified services across Mining (Underground & Surface), Construction, Demolition, Recycling, Aggregate, Earth Moving, OEM, Distribution, and Reselling
- Achieved 11% net operating profit annually through strategic financial and operational management
- Developed and implemented comprehensive business strategies, overseeing sales, administration, field service, HR, finance, and business management systems
- Led the compilation and submission of tenders for large-scale capital expenditure projects, up to ZAR 550 million (excl
- VAT)
- Identified new market opportunities and secured additional distribution rights, enhancing the company's product offering and positioning it for growth
- Established a clear corporate strategy, reinforcing the company’s mission as a 'solutions-driven empowered partner.'
- Managed all financial operations, including balance sheet oversight, year-end financials, and auditor/shareholder relations
- Successfully developed and implemented HR policies and Health & Safety regulations
- Designed and implemented an ISO-compliant quality management system to improve operational efficiency
- Led sales and marketing activities, managing and mentoring a four-member sales team, including training, motivation, and product support
- Supervised a team of eight field service staff, overseeing daily equipment installations, servicing, troubleshooting, and technical training
- Designed and implemented business management systems to monitor, measure, and optimize business activities
Sales Manager – Southern & Sub-Saharan Africa
Hytec Group of Companies (Now Bosch Rexroth SA)
01.2002 - 12.2011
- Successfully managed and achieved a ZAR 250 million sales budget with a net return of over 22% before interest and tax
- Led the marketing, sales, and technical operations for 16 South African branches and their customer base, overseeing the Hydac product range across African operations, distributors, and direct-to-market clients
- Supervised a sales force of 8 direct-to-market representatives and 250 branch-based representatives throughout South Africa and Africa
- Developed and implemented a sustainable, profitable growth strategy, expanding market share in Southern & Sub-Saharan Africa
- Identified and secured new business opportunities and strategic alliances, successfully integrating them into the company’s structure and growth plans
- Managed key accounts, negotiated supply contracts, and ensured seamless execution and management
- Led budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning at local, business unit, national, and continental levels, adjusting strategies to market conditions
- Coordinated sales and marketing initiatives with internal departments, vendors, and external customers to align with corporate objectives
- Conducted market research and sales planning, collaborated with sales and technical design teams, and facilitated successful product launches
- Designed and executed sales training programs, improving product knowledge and market penetration
- Provided technical consulting for major OEMs and project houses, including DRA, IMS Engineering, ELB Bateman, and Sandvik
- Spearheaded the design and commissioning of lubrication systems, including the largest single crusher order in South Africa (Sishen – IMS Engineering)
- Led the design of new products and components for both local and international markets, such as Sandvik’s MPV & cassettes and global filtration solutions
- Established an oil analysis laboratory, overseeing equipment procurement, testing protocols, and reporting methodologies
- Designed, installed, and managed total fluid management systems with root cause analysis and action plans (notably for Nampak Group)
National Sales & Operations Manager
BJ Engineering cc
01.1993 - 12.2002
- Joined at the inception of the company, initially as a Sales Representative, and rapidly advanced to National Sales & Operations Manager
- Managed four Pinetown-based sales staff, six provincial sales staff, 32 factory staff, and three admin staff members
- Designed process layouts and job flow for three distinct premises: machine shop, contracts, and job shop, optimizing operations
- Hand-drew manufacturing drawings interpreted client supplied drawings and specified materials and treatments (e.g., manganese for prison bars for DPW East Griqualand)
- Led the design, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of hydraulic and mechanical systems
- Compiled spare parts lists and operating manuals for significant projects, including Gledhowe Sugar Mill and Stanger Coal Handling Project (both still in operation today)
- Managed the design of entire process plants, including civil and building erection, installation of imported and locally manufactured content, and variable speed conveyors (e.g., Lounge Foam Verulam, still operational today)
- Reverse engineered obsolete machinery for process applications, including the design and installation of centrifuges for Lever Ponds and Colgate, as well as refurbishing Tetra Pak carton packaging machines
- Designed purpose-built, application-specific machinery, from conceptualization to manufacturing, testing, installation, and commissioning, including PLC-controlled polypropylene bag and packing machines (e.g., Multi-Tarp & Bag Westmead, still operational today)
- Led the project management of a full soap manufacturing plant at Colgate Verulam, overseeing the project from design to commissioning
Sales Representative
Alex Murray Metal Systems
01.1992 - 01.1993
Fresh Produce Manager
Alex Murray Metal Systems
01.1991 - 12.1992
Languages
English
Native language
Afrikaans
Proficient (C2)
C2
Spanish
Beginner (A1)
A1
Portuguese
Beginner
A1
Italian
Beginner
A1
Zulu
Elementary (A2)
A2
French
Beginner
A1
Interests
Mountain Biking
Education
BBA - Business Management
UNISA SBL
Mindrand, Gauteng, South Africa 01.2004 - 01.2005
National N Diploma Marketing Management - Marketing Management
Natal Technikon
Pinetown, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa 01.1990 - 01.1993
N6 Marketing And Sales Management - Sales Management
Pinetown Technical College
Pinetown, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa 01.1991 - 01.1992
High School Diploma -
Hillcrest High School
Hillcrest, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa 01.1985 - 12.1989
Certification
Industrial Ventilation
Basic Hydraulics
Advanced Hydraulics
Basic System Design
Hydraulic System Fault Finding
Oil Analysis Level 1 & 2
Effective Contamination Control
Machinery Lubrication
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Software
MS Word
Excel
Outlook
Power Point
Adobe
Hubspot CRM
Google Analytics in process
Google IT automation with Python in process
Google Project Management in process
Google ux and ui Design in process
IBM data analyst in process
IBM data science in process
Meta social media marketing in process
Python for everybody specialisation in process
Google IT support in process
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimePart TimeContract WorkLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridQuote
Always Be Selling
Timeline
Founder & Managing Director – Sub Saharan Africa
Purpleskwirrel Hydrauics (Pty) Ltd.
06.2020 - Current
Regional Director, West Africa
Bosch Rexroth
02.2015 - 06.2020
Managing Director
Lereko Mining Supplies (Pty) Ltd
02.2011 - 01.2015
BBA - Business Management
UNISA SBL
01.2004 - 01.2005
Sales Manager – Southern & Sub-Saharan Africa
Hytec Group of Companies (Now Bosch Rexroth SA)
01.2002 - 12.2011
National Sales & Operations Manager
BJ Engineering cc
01.1993 - 12.2002
Sales Representative
Alex Murray Metal Systems
01.1992 - 01.1993
N6 Marketing And Sales Management - Sales Management
Pinetown Technical College
01.1991 - 01.1992
Fresh Produce Manager
Alex Murray Metal Systems
01.1991 - 12.1992
National N Diploma Marketing Management - Marketing Management
Natal Technikon
01.1990 - 01.1993
High School Diploma -
Hillcrest High School
01.1985 - 12.1989
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