Business Development Specialist

**Company Description**
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

Prepare individual sales action plans in line with the overall sales strategy to ensure a targeted and focused approach that consistently contributes to the overall growth aims of the business and ensures LC targets are achieved with maximized profit. Ensure current sales opportunities are maintained and identify new ones to meet required revenue targets within defined areas of responsibilities.

Support Sales Manager and Business Manager in conjunction with the business strategy set by the Health and Nutrition (H&N) Business Manager. Grow all testing services and food inspection service offerings across H&N by pro-actively and re-actively selling and promoting the product ranges on offer, to all industry sectors in South Africa and where applicable Africa, with the prime objectives of meeting the divisional budget by maintaining current key client portfolio and growing this portfolio to also include new clients. This will be achieved by compliance to all relevant H&N Standard Operating Procedures.
- Operate to the highest standard of ethics as indicated in SGS integrity programs and act in line with all standard processes that exist within H&N.
- In conjunction with overall sales plan and strategy, support management to create and execute plans to manage and grow current designated accounts in specific sectors identified.
- Prepare quotations, service level agreements and tenders within set deadlines. Prepare and develop proposals, quotations, tenders and client correspondence within a predefined time frame.
- Provide management with regular forecasts, client updates and sales reports.
- Seek technical advice from technical staff when preparing proposals, quotations, tenders and
- technical feedback required by clients.
- Promote the capabilities, facilities, personnel and experience of SGS H&N Services.
- Identify, research, plan and contact potential clients to establish new business in order to achieve targeted revenue growth.
- Comply with health, safety and environmental acts, regulations and requirements.
- Establish, develop and maintain business relationships with current customers and prospective customers in the assigned territory / market segment to generate new business for H&N.
- Act as a key point of contact between SGS and customers.
- Assist management in taking the appropriate decisions in relation to sales and marketing trends within the industry.
- Coordinate sales effort with business development, marketing, accounting, technical and operations.
- Support management in analysis of the territory / market’s potential and determine the value of existing and prospective customers’ value to the organization.
- Support management to identify advantages and compare organization’s products / services against competitors.
- Support management to execute the sales strategy.
- Supply management with oral and written reports on customer needs, problems, interests, competitive activities, and potential for new products and services.

**Qualifications** Education**
- Tertiary Food or Agricultural Qualification will be an advantage
- Minimum of 5 - 10 years’ experience in a business development role or key account management role
- High level of written and verbal English and Afrikaans
- Computer literacy in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
- Valid driver’s license and own vehicle

**Experience**
- Minimum 5 - 10 years’ experience in the sales field, with a successful track record
- Good knowledge of food and / or agricultural industry
- Experience in the related fields
- Previous experience in a testing laboratory environment will be an advantage.

**Competencies**
- State of the art selling techniques and an ability to translate these skills into tangible results.
- Extensive knowledge of related field (basic technical knowledge, main actors, trends / shifts, competitors, processes, regulatory frameworks).
- Ability to write, appraise and negotiate detailed contracts and commercial agreements.
- Ability to present detailed concepts to an audience in a presentation environment.
- Ability to adopt a flexible approach to work and react effectively to a rapidly changing environment.
- Ability to work under own initiative and with a high degree of responsibility, accuracy and autonomy.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
- Team player.
- Ability to listen and identify client requirements.
- Service orientated mind set.
- Passion for selling and exceeding client expectations
- Self-starter and highly motivated
- Excellent organizational skills and time / territory management skills
- Accountable, responsible and results driven.