André Swardt

Led comprehensive sales and digital marketing operations, managing a sales team, developing inbound AI lead automation, and executing multi-platform campaigns to drive revenue and market presence.

• Managed and coached a team of sales representatives, consistently achieving sales targets through strategic planning and effective resource deployment.
• Developed and implemented an inbound AI lead automation workflow system utilizing Zoho, Zapier, and Make, streamlining lead generation processes. Developed Website Chatbots for customers,and integrated to Make, Zapier , and n8n
• Directed the execution of multichannel marketing campaigns from inception to completion, leveraging internal support and cross-functional collaboration to enhance brand visibility.
• Conducted in-depth customer insight, consumer trend, and market analysis to formulate successful strategies and campaigns, delivering formal proposals and tactical recommendations.
• Oversaw digital marketing strategy campaigns across social media platforms, optimizing content and engagement to drive online traffic and lead generation.
• Monitored web development, controlled sales budgets, and managed invoicing and creditor relationships to ensure operational efficiency and financial health.

Developed and executed robust digital marketing strategies, managing website content, SEO, SEM, social media, and marketing automation to increase online traffic and brand awareness.

• Developed and optimized websites using platforms such as Nice Page, Site Pad, WordPress, Wix, and Shopify, enhancing online presence and e-commerce capabilities.
• Implemented comprehensive SEO (On-page, Off-page, Link Building) and SEM (Google Ads, Google Search Console, GA4, Google Tag Manager, SEM Rush) strategies to improve search rankings and traffic.
• Managed social media accounts and Meta Business Suite, including Meta Page setup, post scheduling, content creation, and LinkedIn Page management to boost engagement.
• Designed graphic content using Canva, Microsoft Designer, and Adobe Photoshop, and managed email marketing campaigns via Mailchimp and Convertkit.
• Established digital sales funnels using Systeme.io and DashNex, integrating CRM (HubSpot) and other systems like SEMrush and Hootsuite for streamlined operations.
• Leveraged prompt engineering and AI to create high-quality blog posts and SEO articles, optimizing website content for maximum impact and keyword relevance.

Managed business development for fire detection and suppression SLAs, cultivating client relationships, and driving new business acquisition while maintaining existing contracts.

• Spearheaded business development for Fire Detection and Suppression Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with consultants and end-users, ensuring compliance with SANS 10139.
• Managed and monitored existing SLAs, providing regular progress reports and facilitating cross-departmental liaison across projects, sales, and operations.
• Prospected for new business opportunities, evaluated market trends, and gathered competitive intelligence to inform strategic positioning.
• Maintained CRM databases and sales funnels, cultivating a strong lead pipeline to support new business revenue targets and channel strategy.
• Identified and qualified sales leads, actively scanning for bid opportunities and leading comprehensive bid response processes.

Grew GE Security's business in South Africa by identifying key vertical markets, developing strategic relationships with partners, and providing expert system design and product presentations.

• Expanded GE Security's market share in South Africa by identifying and penetrating key vertical markets and accounts, fostering significant business growth.
• Cultivated and sustained robust relationships with business partners, consultants, and installers, ensuring long-term collaborations and client satisfaction.
• Delivered compelling product and solution presentations and demonstrations, effectively communicating value propositions to diverse stakeholders.
• Assisted end-users and consultants with the design of complex security systems, including Intrusion Detection, Fire Detection, Access Control, Evacuation, Building Management, and Video Surveillance, adhering to SANS 10139.
• Managed sales and project forecasts, tracking progress to ensure timely delivery and customer database accuracy.

Managed key accounts for the South African customer base, drove business development across multiple African countries, and oversaw sales of advanced security products.

• Managed key accounts for the South African customer base, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and retention.
• Spearheaded business development initiatives across Kenya, Nigeria, Botswana, and Mozambique, significantly expanding regional market presence.
• Provided weekly progress reports on projects and business development activities, maintaining transparency and accountability.
• Managed the sales funnel and project tracking, ensuring timely updates and accurate forecasting of sales opportunities.
• Drove sales of advanced security solutions, including Intrusion Detection, Fire Detection, Access Control, Video Surveillance, Building Management, Evacuation Systems, and related software products.

Managed the profitable operations and sales of the Siemens agency in KZN, overseeing budgeting, sales training, project monitoring, and staff development for industrial instrumentation and control products.

• Achieved profitable operation and sales growth for the Siemens agency in KZN, demonstrating strong financial and operational management.
• Managed comprehensive branch operations including sales forecasts, budgeting, expense monitoring, and control to optimize financial performance.
• Conducted sales training and delivered customer presentations, enhancing team capabilities and client engagement.
• Oversaw project monitoring and executed breakfast seminars to drive engagement and business development.
• Recruited, trained, mentored, and guided sales engineers, fostering a high-performing team in the industrial instrumentation and control sector.
• Specialized in products such as Level Measurement (Ultrasonic, Radar, Pressure) and Flow Measurement (Ultrasonic, Vortex, Magnetic, Pressure, Coriolis, Doppler, Time of Flight).

Established and managed a new branch in Johannesburg, overseeing sales, product management, marketing, and staff development for industrial instrumentation and control products.

• Successfully launched and managed a new branch in Johannesburg, including recruiting and training sales engineers to establish a strong market presence.
• Directed product management activities, liaising with overseas suppliers, managing stock control, and ensuring local regulatory approval for products.
• Developed and executed marketing strategies, including writing articles and white papers on measurement technologies, to enhance brand visibility and thought leadership.
• Engaged with consultants and project houses, fostering key relationships and driving new business opportunities.
• Managed all general branch operations, including sales forecasts, budgeting, expense monitoring, control, and performance measurement.

Drove sales of instrumentation and control equipment across diverse market sectors, managing tenders, quotations, and industry engagement.

• Achieved sales targets for instrumentation and control equipment across petrochemical, mining, food and beverage, and water treatment sectors.
• Managed the complete tender and quotation process, ensuring competitive proposals and successful contract awards.
• Represented the company at road shows and industry seminars, enhancing brand visibility and fostering client relationships.
• Specialized in products for Level, Flow, Pressure, and Analytical Measurement and Control, providing expert solutions to complex industrial challenges.

Managed and executed profitable internal and external repairs, overseeing component ordering, technician recruitment, and training to ensure efficient service delivery.

• Managed the effective and profitable repair of internal and external systems, optimizing processes for efficiency.
• Oversaw costing of repairs and ordering of components, ensuring budget adherence and timely parts availability.
• Recruited and trained technicians, enhancing team capabilities and service quality.
• Assisted technicians with call-outs and repairs, providing expert guidance and problem-solving support.
• Scheduled call-outs and repairs, optimizing resource allocation and minimizing downtime for clients.

Managed the service department and personnel, overseeing repair costing, budgeting, and performance management to ensure efficient operations and service level agreement adherence.

• Directed the service department, managing personnel, and optimizing service operations to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Managed repair costing and budgeting processes, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial accountability.
• Recruited and trained service personnel, building a skilled team capable of delivering high-quality service.
• Generated weekly progress and status reports, providing transparent oversight of departmental performance and project timelines.
• Promoted and ensured adherence to service level agreements, maintaining high standards of service delivery and client trust.

Oversaw all aspects of Product Management for the Flowtec range, developing marketing strategies, training sales engineers, and assisting with complex application problems.

• Managed all aspects of Product Management for the Flowtec product range, ensuring market competitiveness and product lifecycle optimization.
• Developed and executed effective marketing strategies, contributing to product visibility and market penetration.
• Provided technical support and training to sales engineers, enhancing their product knowledge and sales effectiveness.
• Delivered customer presentations and demonstrations, effectively showcasing product features and benefits.
• Received an award for implementing the best marketing strategy in Switzerland, recognizing exceptional strategic planning and execution.

Contributed to the building, testing, and evaluation of new designs, specializing in PCB design and circuit optimization to support production.

• Built, tested, and evaluated new designs, contributing to the development of innovative products.
• Performed detailed PCB design and compiled comprehensive data packs for production, ensuring accuracy and manufacturability.
• Executed schematic design and circuit optimization, enhancing product performance and efficiency.
• Conducted rigorous testing and field evaluation of new designs, identifying areas for improvement and recommending design changes.

Designed, built, tested, and evaluated onboard instrumentation and missile guidance systems, focusing on PCB design and prototype validation.

• Designed advanced onboard instrumentation and missile guidance systems, contributing to cutting-edge defense technology.
• Built, tested, and evaluated new designs, ensuring functionality and reliability of complex systems.
• Executed precise PCB design for prototypes, optimizing performance and integration.
• Conducted thorough testing and field evaluation of prototypes, identifying and resolving critical issues to ensure system integrity.