Principal Solution Consultant - X3

Are you passionate about helping organisations transform their business through innovative ERP solutions? As the Principal Solutions Consultant – Sage X3, you will play a pivotal role in driving strategic sales success by combining deep ERP expertise with executive-level business consulting and solution leadership.

As the recognised Sage X3 subject matter expert, you will partner with Sales, Business Partners, customers, and executive stakeholders to understand complex business challenges, shape digital transformation strategies, and architect innovative solutions that deliver measurable business value. Your ability to translate business requirements into compelling solution strategies will directly contribute to revenue growth, customer success, and increased competitive win rates.

This is a highly visible leadership role where you will lead enterprise presales engagements, facilitate executive discovery workshops, deliver world-class demonstrations, develop solution architectures, influence strategic sales opportunities, and mentor fellow consultants. You will also champion presales excellence, strengthen the Sage X3 ecosystem, and help position Sage as the ERP partner of choice.

Location - 3 days per week out of our Johannesburg office.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Presales Leadership

• Lead presales strategy and execution for enterprise, strategic, and high-value Sage X3 opportunities throughout the sales lifecycle.
• Partner with Account Managers, Business Partners, and Sales teams to develop compelling solution strategies that accelerate revenue growth and maximise win rates.
• Drive opportunity qualification by uncovering customer business drivers, strategic priorities, and operational challenges.
• Shape account strategies and contribute to pipeline growth through consultative selling and executive engagement.
• Influence opportunity prioritisation and presales resource planning for strategic engagements.
• Build trusted relationships with C-suite executives and senior decision-makers, positioning Sage as a strategic business partner.
• Business Consulting & Solution Discovery
• Lead executive discovery workshops and business process assessments to understand customer objectives and transformation initiatives.

Financial Management

• Distribution
• Manufacturing
• Supply Chain Management
• Inventory & Warehouse Management
• Procurement

Project Management

• Reporting & Analytics
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and business performance through digital transformation.
• Translate business requirements into innovative Sage X3 solutions aligned with industry best practices.
• Develop comprehensive solution recommendations and business value propositions.
• Solution Architecture & Executive Demonstrations
• Design tailored Sage X3 solution architectures that address complex business requirements and strategic objectives.
• Deliver compelling, value-driven product demonstrations focused on customer outcomes rather than product features.
• Develop industry-specific demonstration scenarios that resonate with customer challenges and priorities.
• Showcase the broader Sage ecosystem, including:
• Sage X3
• Sage CRM
• Sage Data & Analytics
• Independent Software Vendor (ISV) solutions
• Third-party integrations
• Lead Proof of Concept (POC) engagements, solution validation workshops, and executive presentations.
• Present technical and functional solution recommendations, clearly articulating business value, operational benefits, and return on investment (ROI).

Enterprise Opportunity Strategy

• Lead presales activities for strategic and high-value customer opportunities.
• Develop competitive positioning strategies and compelling value propositions.
• Analyse competitor offerings and create battle cards to strengthen sales effectiveness.
• Lead the technical and solution components of RFPs, RFQs, RFTs, and tender responses.
• Present solution strategies to executive leadership and board-level stakeholders.
• Partner with Sales teams to successfully progress and close complex enterprise opportunities.

Partner Collaboration & Ecosystem Development

• Strengthen the Sage X3 partner ecosystem through technical leadership, enablement, and mentorship.
• Deliver partner workshops, certification programmes, and solution readiness initiatives.
• Develop sales enablement materials, demonstration assets, and best-practice guidance.
• Support Business Partners in positioning Sage X3 solutions effectively within their markets.
• Promote consistent presales excellence across the partner channel.

Thought Leadership & Market Advocacy

• Serve as the recognised Sage X3 subject matter expert across the organisation and partner community.
• Monitor ERP market trends, emerging technologies, and competitive developments.
• Share industry insights to influence sales strategy, product positioning, and customer engagement.
• Represent Sage at customer events, executive briefings, webinars, conferences, and industry forums.
• Collaborate with Product Management and Marketing to support go-to-market initiatives and product evolution.

Presales Excellence & Governance

• Champion Presales Minimum Acceptable Standards (MAS) across all customer engagements.
• Ensure consistency, quality, and professionalism throughout the presales lifecycle.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, opportunity documentation, and sales governance.
• Drive continuous improvement of presales methodologies, tools, and processes.
• Develop and maintain reusable demonstration content, sales assets, knowledge repositories, and solution collateral.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor and coach Solutions Consultants and Associate Consultants to enhance technical expertise and consulting capability.
• Facilitate internal knowledge-sharing sessions, coaching programmes, and technical workshops.
• Support onboarding and development of new team members.
• Foster a collaborative culture of innovation, continuous learning, and professional excellence.
• Provide leadership support and act as a senior escalation point for complex presales engagements when required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in one of the following disciplines:
• Commerce
• Information Technology
• Accounting
• Business Management
• Industrial Engineering
• Related discipline

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years' experience in ERP consulting, solution consulting, presales, implementation, or solution architecture.
• At least 5 years' hands-on experience with Sage X3 or a comparable enterprise ERP solution.
• Demonstrated success leading complex enterprise sales engagements and strategic customer opportunities.
• Proven ability to influence executive and C-level stakeholders through consultative selling and solution leadership.
• Experience working within indirect sales, channel, or Business Partner environments is advantageous.

Technical Competencies

• Sage X3 Financial Management
• Manufacturing Operations
• Distribution & Supply Chain Management
• Inventory & Warehouse Management
• Procurement
• Reporting & Business Intelligence
• ERP integrations and APIs
• SQL and data management concepts
• Cloud and hybrid deployment models
• Digital transformation initiatives
• Core Competencies
• Business & Commercial Acumen
• Strategic thinking
• Commercial awareness
• Industry expertise
• Customer value creation
• Consulting & Solution Design
• Executive discovery
• Business process analysis
• Solution architecture
• Solution mapping
• Value-based selling
• Communication & Influence
• Executive presentations
• Solution storytelling
• Stakeholder engagement
• Negotiation and influencing
• Leadership
• Coaching and mentoring
• Influencing without authority
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Change leadership
• Personal Attributes
• Customer-focused with a passion for delivering exceptional outcomes
• Strategic and commercially minded
• Results-driven with strong business acumen
• Innovative, analytical, and solutions-oriented
• Collaborative and highly influential
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach
• Professional, credible, and trusted by stakeholders
• Committed to continuous learning and knowledge sharing
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and excellence in everything they do

Company Benefits:

• Work away scheme for up to 10 weeks a year
• Life Insurance: 2x annual salary covered with the option to flex up cover at own cost up to a maximum of 6X annual salary.
• Income Protection: 75% of the monthly risk salary is paid to the colleague in the event of long-term sickness, provided they are unable to perform their duties.
• Critical Illness cover: Provides colleague with lump sum payment at critical illness diagnosis.
• Funeral Assistance: A benefit payable upon the death of a colleague's spouse or children, or to a colleague's dependents in the event of the colleague's death.
• Provident fund: a retirement fund where colleagues have an option to increase contributions of 5% minimum to a maximum of 15% in 2.5% increments.
• Medical aid subsidy: Discovery and Bonitas are offered on selected plans, colleagues receive R2,400 pm.
• Sage Academy leave: On-going training and professional development + 5 paid days per year to engage in learning opportunities.
• 15 days annual leave for fixed term colleagues and 20 annual leave days for permanent colleagues. The annual leave entitlement for permanent colleagues will increases with seniority. 30 days sick leave in a 3 year cycle, 6 days of Family responsibility leave and Religious leave combined, and 5 or 10 days of sports leave based on representation.
• Paid 5 days yearly to volunteer through our Sage Foundation.
• Employee Assistance Program: free, 24/7 short-term counseling, practical support and coaching for you and your family.
• Flexible work patterns and hybrid working