Vacancies at South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

PURPOSE STATEMENT

• To develop, identify and manage new business opportunities in order to generate revenue, improve profitability of existing and new product offerings and ensure business growth and to maintain and retain the current client base.

Minimum Requirements    
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS/REGISTRATION

• B Degree in Business Development, Sales Management, Marketing and Sales, Marketing Management, Sales Management, Business Commerce, Entrepreneurship (NQF Level 7)

EXPERIENCE

• 10 years relevant work experience in Sales and Business Development (Operational Level)
• 3 years managerial experience (Managerial Level)
• Proven track record of new business creation and lead generation in a corporate environment (Operational Level)

Duties and Responsibilities    
Operational Management 

• Contribute towards the development of a strategy for the Division and alignment of this strategy to the plan for the business unit overall.
• Ensure productivity is measured effectively against set objectives.
• Manage and ensure the drive of continuous improvement activities.
• Manage the business unit and ensure that it contributes to the achievement of business objectives.
• Manage operations effectively to deliver services within timelines and prescribed quality through effective resource management
• Use insights gained through business information to compile reports, and metrics to measure success and inform the business decisions within area of responsibility
• Put measures into place to improve productivity.

Functional Management

• Develop deep understanding of competitive landscape and market trends to identify new business development opportunities.
• Understand and effectively communicate company value proposition, technical processes, and current partnerships.
• Determine annual unit and gross-profit plans by implementing business development strategies and analyzing performance trends and results.
• Maintain regular contact with past, existing, and new clients to explore business opportunities.
• Build and establish strong relationships with existing and new customers.
• Coordinate with Marketing and Customer Engagement to develop strategies that improve revenue performance.
• Develop business presentations and proposals for clients, internal communications, and other stakeholders.
• Regularly inform potential clients about new SABS products, solutions, services, and pricing updates.
• Participate in forums proposing new products.
• Participate in industry and sales meetings to provide input and recommendations on business development strategies.
• Evaluate effectiveness of business plans, sales and business development, and marketing strategies to provide actionable recommendations.
• Attend tradeshows, events, and industry association meetings to boost company visibility.
• Oversee and lead building of client retention plans.
• Formulate and implement strategic plans—accounting for market forces and operational milestones—to drive SABS strategic objectives.
• Develop sector strategies aligned with overall sales strategy and execute account plans to meet or exceed revenue targets.
• Ensure customer satisfaction by positioning SABS offerings to deliver value and drive competitive advantage.
• Provide managerial support to resolve critical key account escalations.
• Build strategic relationships across all SABS functions and within external client organizations.
• Develop and implement operational controls driving key account functions to achieve sales, profitability, resource, and business goals.

Risk and Compliance Management 

• Ensure the mitigation of risk through the identification and application of fraud controls and risk prevention principles and implementation of sound governance and compliance processes and tools to identify and manage risks.
• Responsible for the coordination and maintenance of quality risk management in line with regulatory requirements.
• Support and provide evidence to all internal and external audit and Accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Drive the implementation of compliance with policies aimed at strengthening the SABS brand and stakeholder interface.
• Oversee the maintenance and enforcement of related Service Level Agreements to minimise business risk and ensure business continuity.
• Monitor changes in legislation and the regulatory environment and ensure that appropriate operational controls are implemented to address new requirements.
• Ensure adherence in the team to all, policies and Standard Operating Procedures (e.g., Code of Ethics, PFMA & National Credit Act, etc.) throughout the span of control.

Financial Management

• Provide input in the planning and compilation of the annual budget aligned to the tactical delivery plans to support the implementation of set objectives.
• Ensure the effective implementation, management, monitoring of the budget, and mitigate and report on any variances.
• Ensure the deployment of proper financial controls to manage the budget.

People Management

• Proactively manage direct reports to ensure divisional strategic objectives are met.
• Maintain excellent human capital performance through employee empowerment, skills development, retention, and succession planning.
• Maintain an environment where employees respect and adhere to company integrity and ethics standards by integrating these values into all processes, procedures, and practices.
• Manage and lead Sales & Business Development by providing clarity of vision, prioritizing resources, aligning the team, managing non-performance, driving a customer-centric performance culture, setting and cascading KPAs, inspiring commitment, encouraging mutual support, and enabling development opportunities.
• Implement a learning culture within scope of control.
• Drive performance management in line with SABS policy, addressing performance challenges and developing subordinates to meet expected standards.
• Act as change champion for all Sales & Business Development change, culture, and diversity initiatives.
• Recruit and retain key talent and critically skilled personnel to manage internal processes and oversee daily analytical work.

Stakeholder Management 

• Participate in developing and implementing stakeholder management strategies that position SABS as a leading brand locally and internationally for new business opportunities.
• Ensure BU representation in forums sharing industry information to keep organisation at the forefront of developments and scope new business opportunities.
• Identify and mitigate internal systems and procedural barriers to enhance customer service excellence.
• Build and maintain effective internal and external stakeholder relationships to manage expectations, share knowledge, integrate processes, and protect organizational reputation.
• Represent and participate in organizational committees and task teams as required.
• Convene, attend meetings, and present performance and business-related information to relevant stakeholders when required.
• Manage and resolve operational complaints through timeous resolution or escalation as required.
• Provide technical support and advocacy on Sales & Business Development matters to the organisation.
• Provide support for disputes and appeals as required

Deadline:2nd November,2026

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Purpose Statement

• To position SABS to grow and retain its client base, increase revenue and market share in line with organisational needs, build a world-class corporate brand, and oversee the development and execution of the SABS Customer Engagement Model to enable relevant business solutions in line with the organisational mandate.

Minimum Requirements    
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS/REGISTRATION

• Honours Degree in Marketing Management, Business Management, or a related field. (NQF Level 8)

EXPERIENCE

• 10 years' work experience in Marketing, Sales, Business Development, Customer Services and/or Public Relations (Operational Level)
• 3 years' senior management experience (Senior Managerial Level)
• 5 years' management experience (Managerial Level)
• Proven track record in leading strategy formulation for customer service management at organisational level (Senior Managerial Level)
• Proven experience in designing and utilising optimal marketing mix for communication and brand promotional initiatives (Senior Managerial Level)
• Proven track record of overseeing strategic revenue generation partnerships and managing integrated prospects-to-lead generation and sales pipelines (across multiple value chains) at corporate level (Senior Managerial Level)

Duties and Responsibilities    
Strategic Leadership 

• Leading the development, management and execution of the Customer Partnering strategy, covering Product, Solutions, Client & Market Innovation, Marketing and Communications, Sales & Business Development, Customer Services, and Business Solutions and Advisory Services.
• Providing input into the organisation's overall strategy, policy and decision-making.
• Managing tactical annual work plans and associated procedures to establish a single sales point of entry and improve cohesion across business sectors.
• Collaborating with the COO on Customer Partnering strategy and revenue growth to improve performance, profitability and organisational sustainability.
• Aligning the Customer Partnering strategy with the requirements of relevant sub-business units.
• Establishing strategic goals and objectives that support SABS and subsidiary strategies.
• Managing the extended Customer Partnering value chain, both internally and externally.
• Establishing, maintaining and improving standard operating procedures, policies and guidelines in consultation with the COO and executive members.
• Developing a Centre of Excellence that balances technical knowledge with customer and stakeholder requirements.
• Ensuring productivity is measured against strategic objectives.
• Establishing an integrated marketing, sales and business solutions blueprint to leverage growth opportunities.
• Developing business development frameworks and sales tactics to grow the SABS footprint.
• Ensuring objectives are achieved and corrective action is taken when operational targets are missed.

Operational Management 

• Developing and executing the Customer Partnering Operational Plan in line with organisational plans and capacity requirements.
• Improving operational processes, efficiency and workflow integration.
• Translating the divisional operational plan into business activities and targets to achieve growth.
• Implementing methodologies, pipeline and metrics tracking, business processes, workflows and tools.
• Leading marketing and sales strategy formulation and revenue-generation metrics.
• Establishing the SABS brand value proposition across the business value chain to convert prospects and leads into customers while retaining existing customers.
• Establishing corporate frameworks for communication publications and advocacy material, in print and online.
• Monitoring the business landscape for emerging sales risks and implementing mitigation measures.
• Developing and implementing customer journey mapping and improvement plans.
• Establishing inbound and outbound marketing methodologies.
• Analysing and improving brand performance, competitiveness and public relations image to expand the customer base.
• Establishing and managing the optimal marketing mix and sales tactics in collaboration with business units.
• Analysing and communicating Customer Partnering trends and results to heads, business unit managers and relevant stakeholders.
• Identifying new products, solutions and markets to drive growth.

Risk and Compliance Management 

• Mitigate Customer Partnering risks through fraud controls, risk-prevention principles, governance processes and compliance tools.
• Coordinate and maintain quality risk management in line with SANS/ISO 31000, accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and ensure operational controls are updated accordingly.
• Support internal and external audits and accreditation requirements by providing evidence.
• Oversee the development, maintenance and enforcement of relevant Service Level Agreements to minimise business risk and ensure continuity.
• Ensure the team adheres to applicable laws, policies and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure compliance with national legislation and SABS policies and procedures, including the Code of Ethics, PFMA and BBBEE requirements.

Financial Management 

• Contribute to the planning and compilation of the divisional annual budget in line with operational and strategic delivery plans.
• Lead financial performance and improve service-delivery efficiency.
• Develop and manage financial plans, forecasts and budgets for Customer Partnering initiatives in line with business strategy.
• Determine and allocate budgets for key-account and customer activities.
• Implement, manage and monitor the divisional budget.
• Identify, mitigate and report budget variances.
• Establish appropriate financial controls.
• Ensure Customer Partnering's financial sustainability aligns with organisational objectives.
• Manage the achievement of revenue targets.

People Management 

• Leading Customer Partnering by providing a clear vision, prioritising resources, aligning the team and addressing non-performance.
• Building a customer-centric performance culture and setting and cascading appropriate KPAs.
• Driving the achievement of the division's strategic objectives.
• Managing direct reports proactively.
• Ensuring employees have the required skills and competencies through mentoring, coaching and development.
• Maintaining strong human capital performance through employee engagement, empowerment, skills development, talent attraction and retention, and succession planning.
• Ensuring employees receive appropriate training and development.
• Promoting integrity and ethical conduct through organisational processes, procedures and practices.
• Championing change, culture and diversity initiatives.
• Establishing a learning culture.
• Developing technical and leadership skills strategies in consultation with Human Capital Management.
• Managing cross-divisional teams to support the sustainability of large, multi-year contracts.
• The learning-culture responsibility appears twice in the source document.

Stakeholder Management 

• Identify and remove internal systems and procedural barriers that affect customer service.
• Build and maintain effective internal and external stakeholder relationships for expectation management, knowledge sharing, integration and reputation management.
• Represent SABS on committees and task teams when required.
• Provide technical support and advocacy on Customer Partnering matters.
• Convene, chair and attend meetings and present performance and business information to stakeholders.
• Provide technical support on projects when required.
• Build relationships with SABS clients and service providers to ensure appropriate service standards.
• Manage customer complaints through timely resolution or escalation.
• Coordinate stakeholder activities across divisions.
• Analyse queries and develop proactive mechanisms to resolve customer issues and share lessons learned.
• Document stakeholder engagements to support continuity.

Deadline:3rd November,2026