Business Development Manager

The Business Development Manager (BDM) will be responsible for driving growth and market penetration of the company’s testing, inspection, and certification services (TIC) in South Africa and surrounding regions. This position demands a balance of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and relationship management in that it involves identifying new business opportunities, building strong client relationships, developing strategic partnerships, and ensuring that the organization is well-positioned within key industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, energy, mining, oil & gas, and consumer goods.

The BDM will play a central role in expanding the client base, strengthening the company’s brand presence, increasing revenue streams, and ensuring alignment/compliance with the company’s global standards and local regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Growth

• Proactively identify, pursue, and close new business opportunities in priority industries.
• Design and implement go-to-market strategies that align with company growth objectives.
• Expand service penetration through cross-selling and up-selling existing TIC solutions.
• Establish and maintain a robust sales pipeline with accurate forecasting.

Market Intelligence & Strategy

• Conduct ongoing market and competitor analysis, including pricing benchmarks, service gaps, and emerging trends.
• Translate market insights into strategic business proposals and new service development opportunities.
• Support the creation of annual growth plans and budgets aligned to regional objectives.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary interface for key clients, ensuring excellent customer experience and loyalty.
• Build strong stakeholder networks with industry associations, regulators, and government agencies.
• Negotiate contracts and service-level agreements (SLAs) that balance client satisfaction and company profitability.

Collaboration & Internal Alignment

• Work closely with technical and operational teams to ensure service delivery meets/exceeds client expectations.
• Collaborate with global/regional business units to leverage expertise and introduce innovative TIC solutions.
• Actively representing the company at industry events, conferences, and exhibitions, positioning the brand as a thought leader.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Agriculture, Economy, or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (Masters/MBA or equivalent) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5–7 years of proven business development, sales, or account management experience, preferably in the TIC industry or closely related industries.
• Strong track record of achieving and exceeding sales targets.
• Experience working with clients in industries such as agriculture, energy, mining, oil & gas, manufacturing, or consumer goods.
• Familiarity with South African and regional regulatory environments and standards.

Competencies and Skills Required

 Technical & Industry Knowledge

• Understanding of TIC services, industry practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to translate complex technical offerings into client value propositions.
• Ability to position TIC services as risk mitigation, compliance assurance, and quality differentiation tools for clients.

Business & Commercial Acumen

• Strong negotiation, contract management, and pricing strategy skills.
• Financial literacy and ability to develop/interpret business cases and ROI analyses.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (English required; local languages an advantage).
• Strong presentation and networking abilities.
• Relationship-building skills with a client-centric approach.

Analytical & Strategic Thinking

• Strong market analysis, research, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to identify opportunities and craft tailored strategies for market entry and growth.

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the drive to open new markets.
• Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable navigating a competitive, fast-paced environment.
• A self-starter who thrives both independently and in cross-functional teams.

High level of integrity and ethical business conduct.

Location:

South Africa.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and relevant experience to Elda Kotze at ekotze@controlunion.com. 

Please include “Business Development Manager” in the subject line.