Sales Executive – Steel Trading (Nairobi)

About the role

Our client, a global trading company, is looking for an experienced Sales Executive to manage customer relationships and drive steel sales across Kenya and neighbouring East African markets.

Key responsibilities

• Build and maintain long‑term relationships with steel buyers across East Africa.
• Promote the company’s steel products and commercial offers to existing and prospective customers.
• Identify sales opportunities, prepare competitive offers, follow up with customers and close orders.
• Serve as the main local point of contact, handling meetings, visits and ongoing account relationships.
• Monitor customer accounts, follow up on outstanding payments and conduct KYC checks.
• Coordinate orders, shipments and logistics with headquarters, steel mills and logistics partners.
• Support import and port‑clearance processes to ensure timely delivery.
• Track market conditions, competitor activity, pricing and new business opportunities.
• Provide regular updates to headquarters on sales activity and potential risks.
• Travel regularly within East Africa to meet customers and develop new business.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Engineering or related field.
• Minimum four years experience in steel trading, sales or procurement.
• Strong knowledge of steel products and their applications.
• Understanding of international trade and import processes (CFR, CIF, letters of credit, open‑account payments, port clearance).
• Proven sales, negotiation and relationship‑management abilities.
• Experience in customer account management, credit control and payment follow‑up.
• Existing relationships with steel buyers in East Africa is an advantage.
• Ability to communicate in Gujarati or Hindi is a plus.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the region.
• Strong organisational skills, integrity and ability to work independently.

Required skills

• Steel product knowledge.
• International trade procedures (CFR, CIF, letters of credit, open‑account payments, port clearance).