Technical Service Manager

A generalist recruitment company with specialised divisions acquiring the markets leading talent in engineering, renewable energy, manufacturing, FMCG manufacturing, finance, insurance, production, construction and mining. A leading player in the industrial lubricants sector is seeking an experienced SA Technical Services Manager to lead its national technical strategy and drive customer value through innovative technical service offerings. This is an executive-level opportunity for a commercially minded technical leader who can bridge engineering excellence with business growth. You will play a key role in strengthening customer relationships, supporting strategic sales initiatives, leading a high-performing technical team, and positioning technical services as a true competitive advantage. Key Responsibilities Develop and execute the national technical services strategy aligned to business growth objectives. Lead and mentor a team of technical professionals across South Africa. Partner with Sales and Key Account teams to support customer acquisition, retention and value-based selling. Design and implement differentiated technical service offerings, including lubrication programmes, oil analysis, condition monitoring and reliability solutions. Provide expert technical support for major customer engagements, tenders and product conversions. Conduct root cause investigations and develop corrective actions to improve product performance and customer satisfaction. Deliver technical training to internal teams, distributors and customers. Build strong relationships with engineering, maintenance and operational stakeholders across key industries. Drive continuous improvement through innovation, data analysis and customer-focused technical solutions. Minimum Requirements Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, Tribology or a related technical discipline. A postgraduate qualification in Business or Management will be advantageous. Minimum of 15 years' experience in technical, product or application-focused roles. At least 10 years' experience combining technical expertise with commercial leadership. Proven experience within the industrial lubricants, petrochemical or industrial B2B sector. Demonstrated success leading technical teams and translating technical capability into measurable business growth. Strong knowledge of lubrication, condition monitoring, oil analysis, reliability engineering and industrial applications. Excellent stakeholder management, leadership and presentation skills. Willingness to travel extensively throughout South Africa. We Are Looking For Someone Who Thinks commercially while maintaining strong technical credibility. Can influence senior engineering and operational stakeholders. Enjoys solving complex technical challenges. Has a passion for improving equipment reliability and customer performance. Can lead strategic technical initiatives while supporting business growth. Thrives in a customer-facing leadership environment.