Business Development Manager at Sodexo

Job description

An opportunity has arisen to join Sodexo, a leading global Facilities Management business. In South Africa Sodexo develops, manages and delivers a range of services for clients in the corporate, healthcare, education, and energy and resources sectors. We pride ourselves on our ability to help improve the quality of life where we operate.

As part of the support team to operation this role will primary deliver development, management, and execution on an overall portfolio of business initiatives in support of the related projects at Sodexo. This is a key role which due to the degree of expectation and responsibility will require considerable use of strong analytical, interpersonal, communication and leadership skills. Candidates will need demonstrable experience of working in commercial role preferably in food and facilities management industry. You will also need to be mobile as this role comes with extensive travel. In return we offer a very competitive salary, annual bonus, travel allowance and up to 15 working days holiday.

Role Responsibility

• With the General Manager and relevant departments, ensure that growth and development of the country’s business is aligned with the business strategy
• Develop business and marketing plans to achieve revenue goals
• Prospect and solicit for viable potential accounts through sales call, networking, presentation, proposal and negotiation
• Achieve budgeted development turnover of the department by winning business within the guidelines set out by the management and ensuring that any business is within the agreed target markets. Specific reference to Corporate and Healthcare segments although not limited to such.
• Keep up with market and competitors developments, trends and strategies
• Develop, be innovative and improve presentations. Continue to improve the executive summaries and make each summary specific to the tender.
• Manage the business development officer and coordinator as per their position description
• Prepare proposals
• Compile and report information gathered and visit at the prospect
• Pass over information to business co-coordinator for start on preparation of proposal
• Work out costing model with Operations
• Agree on costing sheet with operations, finance and General Manager
• Submit proposals, negotiate them and close the deal
• Manage the transition with Operations of the successful offers in line with CFL guidelines

The Ideal Candidate

• Minimum 5 to 8 years relevant working experience preferably in Food and Facilities Management industry.
• Able to establish and maintain good client relationships in order to facilitate retention and renegotiation
• Knowledge and understanding of site operations to support the Business Development strategy and also to enhance our relationship with our existing and prospective clients and customers
• Able to demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of contract compliance
• Creative and effective communicator both orally and in writing, with the ability to influence without formal authority. The role may require strong negotiation stills and the ability to convey complex and/or detailed information to various stakeholders.
• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills and develops relationships, with the ability to effectively liaise with, and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Self-organized, resourceful, good judgment, result oriented and can lead a team of specialists to finalize value-add service contracts with the organization.
• Demonstrates discretion and ability to deal with confidential issues

Desirable

• Degree/Diploma in Business/Marketing/Facilities Management or any other business related discipline
• A good understanding of business acquisition and bid management life cycles.
• Strong analytical skills – including the ability to create the most compelling and competitive offers that work for both parties.
• Excellent knowledge of standard software tools (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).