New Business Development Representative – Western Cape at Datafin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

• A well-established company within the petroleum industry is seeking an experienced New Business Development Representative to grow its Retail, Commercial and Wholesale footprint across the Western Cape.
• This is a highly field based role suited to someone who already understands the South African fuel and petroleum industry, has strong relationships within the market and is comfortable spending the majority of their time on the road visiting service stations, identifying new opportunities and developing new business.
• The successful candidate must come from the fuel or petroleum industry, have proven Business Development experience and must be able to speak Afrikaans.
• The position reports directly to the Head of Retail and has no direct reports. The role will be predominantly road based, with approximately one day per week in the office.

DUTIES:

New Business Development

• Identify and secure new Retail, Commercial and Wholesale fuel customers across the Western Cape.
• Identify potential new branded service station opportunities, including existing sites and new developments.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective customers and business opportunities.
• Regularly visit service stations, potential customers and industry stakeholders across the region.
• Develop relationships with service station owners, operators, landlords, commercial customers and other relevant industry contacts.
• Negotiate and close new business opportunities in line with agreed sales and growth targets.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the fuel market, competitor activity, regional opportunities and industry developments.
• Represent the business at relevant conferences, promotional events and industry networking opportunities.

Service Station Development and Project Management

• Manage new service station developments and rebranding projects from initial opportunity through to launch and handover.
• Coordinate site development, branding, design, contractor appointments and implementation.
• Assist with landlord negotiations and property related requirements.
• Coordinate petroleum licensing and other relevant regulatory and legal requirements.
• Assist with sourcing, assessing and vetting potential service station operators.
• Coordinate financial requirements relating to new sites and developments.
• Ensure projects are completed within agreed budgets and timelines.
• Work closely with internal departments including Finance, Logistics, Marketing and Retail Operations.
• Ensure company standards are successfully implemented before handover to the existing Retail team.

Contract Management

• Negotiate agreements with new Retail, Commercial and Wholesale customers.
• Negotiate with suppliers, contractors and service providers where required.
• Assist in structuring commercially favourable terms while remaining within approved company frameworks.
• Coordinate contract finalisation and approval with relevant internal stakeholders.

Client and Supplier Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with new and prospective customers.
• Maintain relationships with contractors, suppliers and other external stakeholders.
• Act as a key point of contact during the new business and implementation process.
• Work with suppliers and contractors to support successful project delivery and commercial arrangements.

Financial and Operational Responsibilities

• Assist with budgeting for New Business Development activities.
• Monitor sales performance, costs and profitability against agreed targets.
• Prepare regular performance, growth, pipeline and strategy reports for senior management.
• Support operational and logistics requirements where necessary.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Previous experience within the fuel or petroleum industry is essential. Candidates without fuel industry experience will not be considered.
• Proven Business Development experience within the petroleum or fuel industry is essential.
• Strong understanding of the fuel retail and service station environment.
• Experience dealing with service station owners, operators, commercial customers or fuel wholesalers would be highly advantageous.
• Existing relationships and networks within the fuel industry would be beneficial.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Must be able to speak Afrikaans.
• Strong new business development, sales and negotiation skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to identify profitable business opportunities.
• Experience managing projects or developments from initial opportunity through to implementation would be advantageous.
• Understanding of petroleum licensing, service station development, landlord negotiations and related regulatory requirements would be beneficial.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills.
• Able to work independently and manage a large geographical territory.
• Comfortable spending the majority of the working week travelling throughout the Western Cape.
• Valid driver's licence essential.