Tinus Van Aarde

I am a results-driven Technical Sales Professional with over 10 years of experience in industrial and engineering sectors, specializing in pumps, valves, and hydraulic systems. I have a proven ability to generate new business, grow key accounts, and deliver tailored technical solutions through strong client engagement and market insight. Furthermore, I have experience in managing full sales cycles, conducting site visits, and providing hands-on technical support to meet customer needs.

I am known for a proactive approach, strong relationship-building skills, and consistently driving revenue growth in competitive environments.

External Sales Rep - Industrial Filters and Fabrics

(2025-07)

• Service existing accounts and establishing new ones by planning and organizing work schedules
• Cold calling and bringing in new customers and business (primary focus)
• Provide technical support to customers and conduct site visits
• Monitor competition, submit orders, and recommend changes in products, service, and policy
• Maintain professional knowledge by attending workshops and reviewing publications
• Submit activity and results reports, monitor the marketplace, and resolve customer complaints

External Sales Engineer - Chemical Pump and Valve

(2023-09 - 2024-01)

• Service existing accounts and establishing new ones by planning and organizing work schedules
• Cold calling and bringing in new customers and business (primary focus)
• Provide technical support to customers and conduct site visits
• Monitor competition, submit orders, and recommend changes in products, service, and policy
• Maintain professional knowledge by attending workshops and reviewing publications
• Submit activity and results reports, monitor the marketplace, and resolve customer complaints

Maintenance Manager - RDG Group and Workshop

(2021-01 - 2023-08)

• Managed existing accounts and secured new ones by organizing daily sales calls
• Customized sales presentations based on customer type
• Analyzed customer needs and market trends to focus efforts
• Processed orders and kept management updated with reports
• Monitored competition and resolve customer issues
• Maintained sales records and professional knowledge through workshops
• Hydraulic tolls and equipment (Mines panel beaters, steel merchants)
• Responsible for all maintenance on properties
• Looking after 10 staff workers, including wages control and make sure all is in order
• Responsible for workshop arranging all spares needed
• Make sure all cars are in good condition when leaving
• Customer care handles all direct liaison with customers
• Stock control off both positions maintenance and workshop

Owner - Specialised Fencing

(2018-08 - 2020-12)

• Supply manufactures of all steel gates and security products
• Supply and installation of fencing
• Supply and installation of security products (Gate motors, electric fencing, retractable doors)

Technical Sales Representative - Xylem Water Solutions

(2017-08 - 2018-07)

• Inspected vehicles and machinery to diagnose mechanical and electrical faults
• Performed repairs on engines, braking systems, suspension, and transmissions
• Conducted routine maintenance including oil changes, filter replacements, and general servicing
• Used diagnostic tools and equipment to identify and resolve technical issues
• Replaced worn or defective parts to ensure safe and efficient operation
• Carried out preventative maintenance to minimize breakdowns and extend equipment lifespan

Technical Sales Representative - Letaba Industrial Pumps

(2015-09 - 2017-07)

• Services existing accounts, obtains orders and establishes new accounts by planning and organizing daily, work schedule to call on existing or potential sales outlets and other trade factors
• Adjust content of sales presentations by studying the type of sales outlet or trade factor
• Focus on sales efforts by studying existing and potential volume of dealers
• Submits orders by referring to price lists and product literature
• Keeps management informed by submitting activity and results reports, such as daily call reports, weekly work plans, monthly and annual territory analyses
• Monitors competition by gathering current marketplace information on pricing, products, new products, delivery schedules, merchandising techniques
• Recommend changes in products, service, and policy by evaluating results and competitive developments
• Resolves customer complaints by investigating problems, developing solutions, preparing reports, making recommendations to management
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, participating in professional societies
• Provides historical records by maintaining records on area and customer sales
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed

Sales Application Engineer - GE Dresser International

(2011-10 - 2015-09)

• Manage Projects (Project houses, Floor, Dra, Transnet NMPP)
• Ensuring that all aims of the project met
• Ensuring the quality standards are met
• Ensure the project is maintained to a good standard
• Write monthly Progress reports, Control documents, S-Curve Reports, Project schedules
• Placing orders on UK Factories and expedite orders until delivered to end user
• Day-to-Day quotes, sizing and selection and control and Safety Valves
• Issuing jobs to workshop follow through until complete and closing off jobs
• Establishing new and maintaining existing relationships with customers e.g., Sasol, Zimplats, Chevron, SAB, Anglo Platinum and EPC's
• Managing and interpreting customer requirements
• Negotiating and closing sales by Agreeing to Terms and Conditions
• Ensure orders are loaded correctly and on time
• Ensure all orders are placed and OA received and correct from UK's Factory's (China, Deerpark, Dubai, UK, Texas)
• Training for staff where needed to improve OTD and Customer Satisfactory
• Reporting revenue pacing file to Head office (UK) this includes target Vs. Act/ Forecast, Overdue Back Log Firm, Current Firm, Total Revenue per quarter, Orders booked and due to ship
• Workshop planning on Local orders, Receiving, Inventory, Jobs building local (set and tested), Closing jobs, Invoicing and Daily delivery's due and completed orders

Internal Sales - Stewardts and Lloyds

(2010-04 - 2011-09)

• Completely responsible for all Rustenburg branch sales and customers
• Attend to Internal sales and buy outs
• Costing and pricing of all quotes buy outs and sales
• Pipes and fittings, Mild Steel (Roofing, Lip Channels, Tube, Section, Sheets and Plates), Special Steels
• Provided pre-Sales technical assistance and product training
• Liaised with other members of sales team and other technical experts
• Solving clients' problems
• Negotiated and closed sales by agreeing terms and conditions
• Offered after-sales support services
• Helped with design of custom-made products
• Analyzed costs and sales
• Trained in mild Steel sheets, Plates, Structural sections, Pipes, Fittings, Flanges, Valves, Hardware, Palisades at Stewardts and Lloyds

Internal Sales - Macsteel Trading

(2004-10 - 2010-03)

• Pipes and fittings
• Mild Steel (Roofing, Lip Products, Tubing, Section Sheet and Plates, Palisades)
• Provide Trading Courses - Product Knowledge
• Managed 6 people
• Sales and invoicing
• Budgets and targets
• Internal and external sales
• Buying, costing and pricing
• Debits and credits

Manager - AWF Welding

(2001-04 - 2004-08)

• Manage 15 people
• Provide management co-ordination and support at floor level for work in progress
• Technically scrutinize and manage all WIP from an engineering design and manufacturing specification standpoint
• Create and manage quality control measures
• Manage the production process according to customer required schedules
• Control and schedule for all technical crew activities in-house
• Impellent and maintain an integrated work control system
• Responsible for maintenance of all workshop's mechanical equipment and tools
• Provide coaching and training at workshop staff
• Provide coordination with customers to expedite jobs efficiently
• Continually focus on work optimizing to provide cost effective and efficient service
• Provide clear directions to the work staff with good management etiquette
• Attend grievances, disciplinary procedures and all other Human Resource related matters concerning the work staff
• Report to managing director
• Ensure housekeeping is completed on an ongoing basis so that the workshop is kept clean and safe
• Responsible for salaries (weekly) and salary payments
• Invoice all completed orders and schedule daily deliveries

Matric - Grade 12 - Hskool Wonderfontien (1998-12)