Regional Product Specialist at Absa Bank Limited

Position Summary:

The Regional Product Specialist for Payment Acceptance is responsible for supporting regional bankers and driving the growth of merchant acquiring solutions within their assigned region. Reporting to the Regional Manager, the specialist will play a pivotal role in promoting and enabling the bank’s payment acceptance products, ensuring strategic alignment, and driving sales and product adoption. The role requires close collaboration with bankers and segment heads to develop tailored solutions, identify opportunities, and ensure successful execution of sales strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Enablement & Collaboration:

• Work closely with bankers to enable and support them in driving merchant acquiring sales, particularly for simple sales.
• Act as a key resource for complex sales engagements, providing in-depth product knowledge and expertise.
• Collaborate with regional segment heads and bankers to identify opportunities and execute joint sales strategies.
• Support bankers in achieving sales targets through regular training, coaching, and knowledge-sharing sessions.

Product Advocacy & Innovation:

• Act as a champion for payment acceptance solutions, driving the adoption of new products and services in the market.
• Support the implementation of new product innovations and payment modernization initiatives.
• Provide insights and feedback on market trends, customer needs, and competitive offerings to inform product development and strategy.

Client Engagement & Solutioning:

• Engage with clients to understand their payment needs and develop tailored solutions that align with their business objectives.
• Participate in high-level client conversations and complex sales engagements to drive product adoption and satisfaction.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders within the region.

Campaigns & Reporting:

• Drive regional campaigns and initiatives focused on new customer acquisition, cross-selling, and upselling value-added services (VAS).
• Track and analyze sales activities, performance metrics, and campaign outcomes to provide insights and recommendations.
• Provide regular feedback and reports to the Regional Manager and banking teams on sales performance and opportunities.

Knowledge Transfer & Training:

• Develop and deliver training programs and workshops for bankers to enhance their knowledge of payment acceptance solutions.
• Support bankers with tools, resources, and information to drive independent sales performance.
• Act as a subject matter expert, providing ongoing support and guidance to bankers and regional teams.

Risk & Compliance:

• Ensure all sales activities and solutions comply with regulatory requirements and risk management policies.
• Identify potential risks and work with internal teams to implement mitigation strategies.

Key Competencies:

• Strong sales and product knowledge in merchant acquiring and payments.
• Excellent collaboration and relationship management skills.
• Strategic thinking and ability to execute on regional initiatives.
• Strong communication, presentation, and training skills.
• Analytical and data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Knowledge of market trends, customer needs, and competitive landscape.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in merchant acquiring, payments, or financial services.
• Experience working with sales teams and driving product adoption.
• Proven track record of achieving sales targets and supporting strategic initiatives.