Red Ember Recruitment is currently recruiting for an
experienced
Business Development Manager
for our client. The successful
candidate will be responsible for planning, organising, directing, controlling
and coordinating sales and business development activities in line with the
company’s strategic objectives and business plan for the Food Segment.

The role will have overall responsibility for managing
and growing the
South African market
, driving sales performance,
profitability, business development, supplier relationships and stock
management.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Marketing

• 
  Develop
  and implement sales strategies that support the company’s broader business
  growth objectives.
• 
  Develop
  business plans for relevant raw material segments and regional markets.
• 
  Conduct
  market research and use industry insights to identify business development
  opportunities.
• 
  Establish
  performance targets for regions and individual team members.
• 
  Maintain
  up-to-date market knowledge across current and emerging business
  verticals.
• 
  Drive
  achievement of annual sales volume and revenue targets.
• 
  Ensure
  product availability in line with procurement plans and targeted sales
  volumes.

Profitability & Commercial Management

• 
  Manage
  business segments in line with strategic and growth objectives.
• 
  Drive
  monthly, quarterly and annual profitability against defined targets.
• 
  Ensure
  achievement of sales and gross profit targets.
• 
  Monitor
  commercial performance and implement corrective actions where required.

Business Development

• 
  Conduct
  market reviews, product surveys and competitor analysis.
• 
  Identify
  opportunities for product portfolio expansion based on market trends,
  product quality and anticipated demand.
• 
  Develop
  long-term customer contracts and bulk supply opportunities across relevant
  segments.
• 
  Support
  the team in structuring commercial offers for key and top-tier customers.
• 
  Monitor
  competitor activities and develop appropriate counter-strategies.
• 
  Identify
  new markets, customers and revenue opportunities.

Supplier Relationship Management

• 
  Identify
  and engage with potential suppliers in collaboration with local and
  international procurement teams.
• 
  Build
  and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers and principals.
• 
  Host
  and engage with suppliers and principals when required.
• 
  Maintain
  an accurate and comprehensive supplier database.
• 
  Negotiate
  commercial arrangements that support business growth and profitability.

Procurement & Stock Management

• 
  Ensure
  stock availability in line with procurement plans and annual sales
  targets.
• 
  Ensure
  branch stock requirements are fulfilled within required turnaround times.
• 
  Monitor
  and maintain optimal stock turnover ratios.
• 
  Review
  ageing and near-expiry stock and recommend appropriate actions.
• 
  Coordinate
  regular sales and procurement stock-planning meetings.
• 
  Align
  stock planning with customer demand, market trends and sales forecasts.

Sales Administration & Reporting

• 
  Conduct
  weekly gap analysis between actual sales and budget.
• 
  Coordinate
  with Sales and Procurement teams to finalise monthly price lists based on
  stock availability and market conditions.
• 
  Liaise
  with Finance regarding debtor management and minimise bad debt exposure.
• 
  Ensure
  effective utilisation and maintenance of the
  Zoho CRM
  system in
  accordance with company policy.
• 
  Conduct
  monthly sales performance reviews and provide actionable insights to
  management.

Requirements

Qualifications

• 
  Relevant
  tertiary qualification in
  Marketing, Business Management, Chemistry,
  Chemical Engineering
  or a related field.
• 
  A
  Chemical-related qualification will be advantageous.

Experience

• 
  5–10
  years’ relevant experience
  in a similar sales,
  marketing or business development management position.
• 
  Proven
  experience within the
  chemical raw materials industry
  is essential.
• 
  Strong
  understanding of the chemical trading and raw materials market.
• 
  Demonstrated
  experience in supplier acquisition and relationship management.
• 
  Proven
  track record in customer development and product portfolio expansion.
• 
  Experience
  managing sales targets, profitability and commercial performance.
• 
  Previous
  leadership and team management experience.

Skills & Competencies

• 
  Strong
  strategic thinking and decision-making abilities.
• 
  Excellent
  communication and interpersonal skills.
• 
  Strong
  commercial and technical acumen.
• 
  Target-driven
  and customer-focused approach.
• 
  Strong
  negotiation and influencing skills.
• 
  Understanding
  of supply chain and procurement principles.
• 
  Strong
  business development and market analysis capabilities.
• 
  Self-motivated
  and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• 
  Strong
  leadership and team management skills.
• 
  Ability
  to work effectively within a multidisciplinary environment.
• 
  Proficient
  in written and verbal English.

Key Performance Areas

The successful candidate will be measured against:

• 
  Sales
  revenue and volume growth.
• 
  Gross
  profit and profitability targets.
• 
  New
  business development and customer acquisition.
• 
  Customer
  retention and product basket expansion.
• 
  Supplier
  relationship development.
• 
  Stock
  availability and stock turnover.
• 
  Market
  and competitor intelligence.
• 
  Sales
  forecasting and budget performance.
• 
  Effective
  CRM utilisation and sales reporting.