Business Development Manager

Our client, a food and beverage manufacturer, is looking for a Business Development Manager to build its business-to-business sales across South Africa. You will find and win new commercial opportunities and grow revenue at a healthy margin.

You will work with food and drink makers, fast food chains, hotels, restaurants, caterers, institutions, industrial users, wholesalers, buying groups, and export and private label customers. You will build a steady sales pipeline. You will follow market and competitor trends and suggest new products that suit the local market.

You will build ties with senior buyers and executives at national accounts. You will lead talks on yearly contracts, pricing, rebates, promotions and supply terms, and you will protect profit. You will also help prepare the market for a new production facility by building demand early, securing anchor customers and agreeing volumes. You will work closely with colleagues in marketing, supply chain, finance, operations and regulatory teams.

In your first year, you will build a strong pipeline, secure several national accounts, meet sales and profit targets, set up a lasting route to market and help the new facility ramp up.

We are looking for a commercial leader with at least 8 years in consumer goods business development in South Africa, with strong food and beverage exposure. You hold a degree in business, marketing or commerce. An MBA is preferred. You have opened national accounts, launched brands or markets, negotiated well, and know people across the local industry. Experience with manufacturers is a plus.