Business Development Manager- Eastern & Southern Africa at ALS

The Role

The Business Development Manager Eastern & Southern Africa (BD Manager E&SA) will be responsible for expanding and growing new business, identify new clients to the Geochemistry Eastern & Southern Africa region, building new long-term client relationships and maintaining existing clients. As an ambassador for the business in global markets, the BD Manager E&SA will undertake both local and international travel focusing on meaningful interactions through client visits, potential conferences and trade shows. The BD Manager E&SA will be based in ALS Chemex SA Head Office in Johannesburg and will report to Regional Business Development Manager, Sub Saharan Africa.

Specific Responsibilities:

1.    New Business Development

• Research and build relationships with new clients
• Keep abreast with new technology and changes within the industry
• Keeping up with current trends and identifying business growth opportunities
• Present to and consult with management on market trends and information feedback
• Prospect for potential clients and turn this into increased business
• Meet with current and potential clients by growing, leveraging and maintaining networks
• Participate in sample volume forecasting and budget planning
• Effectively build sustainable long-term client relationships on multiple levels (field, regional and head office)
• Develop a structured and effective marketing and client support strategy
• Close new business deals by coordinating requirements, developing and negotiating contracts, integrating contract requirements with business operations
• Supporting with the tendering process
• Liaise and build up strong relationships with the ALS global team to reinforce and support commercial and operational activities
• Attend industry functions, such as association events and conferences, and provide feedback and information on market and creative trends.
• Identify opportunities for campaigns that will lead to an increase in sales.
• Using knowledge of the market and competitors, identify and develop the company’s unique selling propositions and differentiators.

2.   Client Retention

• Meet existing clients to identify challenges and or additional requirements
• Work closely with internal colleagues to understand and meet client’s needs
• Arrange and participate in client debriefs

3.   Reports

• Participate in management meetings and submit weekly and monthly data to ensure data accuracy
• Forecast sales targets for the year and ensure they are met
• Compile key business metrics and report on them to management

4.   Risk Mitigation

• Alert the management to key emerging risk areas
• Make input to improve risk mitigation strategies
• Actively participate in crisis management activities as and when required

About you

The ideal candidate would have the following requirements:

• A bachelor level tertiary qualification in Science, Engineering, Geology and extensive BD experience in a related field
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in Laboratory processes, management, business development or customer services
• Good commercial understanding and appreciation of factors involved in delivering quality services profitably
• Skilled in the art of influencing, contract negotiations and closing agreements
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills
• Strategic planning/thinking and implementation abilities
• Attention to detail and work under pressure
• Ability to multi task and meet challenging deadlines
• Excellent English communication skills both verbally and written within all levels of the business and clients. French speaking as a secondary language is preferable.