Business Development Manager

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.