Business Development Manager - Africa Region

OC2 is retained by an award-winning brand who have an enviable history of excellence in manufacturing and construction throughout the world. The company has long been an International leader in engineering, construction and fabrication, responsible for many landmark structures, buildings and bridges across the globe. The company’s engineering and construction ingenuity reaches all forms of infrastructure projects, buildings and structures. In recent decades it has created striking buildings that have become symbols of the modern age. This organisation has delivered some of the world’s most iconic structures and continues to do so. The company manufactures, fabricates and installs load-bearing and architectural steel elements for largescale commercial and civic buildings, industrial buildings, heavy transfer structures and iconic stadia. The company’s specialist knowledge and expertise in manufacturing and construction enable it to bring innovation and value engineering to any project, helping to solve problems, save time, costs and resources for clients, while improving safety and environmental performance. The wider Group offers a network of sales offices covering Europe, India, China and the Middle East, taking their expertise and innovation to clients around the world. The role will be UK based and involve International travel. Following recent successes, the Board of Directors have taken the proactive decision to appoint an experienced senior sales professional to develop opportunities for them throughout the African continent. They seek a professional who understands the African infrastructure industry, is technically capable and has a network within the region, and who can add further value and growth in that region. This position requires a someone to take the lead role in forward business planning whilst identifying and generating new opportunities, clients and future projects for the business. Responsible to Board of Directors the main role, duties, responsibilities and requirements are: • Developing and executing sales plans for the region. • A proven track record of success gained in an environment managing sales of high value capital projects with a long sales cycle in African countries. • Excellent proposal writing and presentation skills. Experienced at new business pitching, account management and customer care. • Create and implement the sales plan in line with the development requirements of the business. • Deliver sales growth through the development of both existing and new clients. • Instil engineering know how confidence in clients. • Develop business relationships with customers in identified target areas. • Create compelling bids and robust commercial propositions. • Ensure the proactive management of all client relationships throughout the entire sales process, including technical and commercial requirements on each enquiry, quotation, negotiation and confirmation of order. • Lead the promotion of products and services to clients and other stakeholders through presentations and trade shows. • Formally report/provide sales projections and budget forecasts to the Board of Directors. The optimum candidate will be a strong influencer and sales closer, capable of promoting and communicating the companies engineering and fulfilment capabilities. The successful candidate will be capable of managing the full sales cycle from generating leads, closing the sale, account management, pricing, new business development and negotiation. Full back office services are provided and an extensive CRM system. The role requires a positive, energetic, motivated and enthusiastic individual with a can-do attitude who can contribute significantly as a key member of the senior management team and who can demonstrate a proven track record of achievement within the African continent. The ability to communicate at all levels and be credible in front of procurement through to senior EPC executives and ministers is essential as is the need to have a professional who takes responsibility, accountability and ownership for driving this business into its next stage growth. The successful candidate will be: • A natural forward planner who critically assesses own performance. • Self-driven, results orientated with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on high quality and business profit • Able to prepare and deliver presentations to clients and be able to explain technical details. • Able to co-ordinate internal bid processes. • Able to work autonomously. • A proven sustained track record of developing high level relationships with new and existing clients (main contractors, developers, consultants, Government departments) and securing profitable business, in Africa. • Experience of long term strategic business development. • Provide effective communication of companies engineering capabilities. • Implement the sales strategy in line with the requirements of the business by developing a plan to generate new business and expand existing business through research, identification, networking and communication with clients. • Lead the promotion of products and services to clients and other stakeholders through presentations and trade shows. • Ensure the proactive management of all client relationships throughout the entire sales process, including technical and commercial requirements on each enquiry, quotations, negotiation and confirmation of order. Some understanding of structural engineering concepts and on-site erection processes would also be a distinct advantage. This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior business development leader who has gained extensive experience in a similar role. Experience will be scrutinised at interview stage, so it is advantageous that all applicants possess the relevant experience. This role is perfectly suited to a candidate who has leadership and sales management experience at a senior level. Someone who has accomplished engineering skills and engineering knowledge in heavy fabrication and prior experience working for a leading engineering company in a senior management position will be a strong fit. A proven record of sales success gained within the fabrication industry, preferably serving the infrastructure sector in addition to a high profile and existing network within the African sector, is key. The ability to further develop existing accounts whilst identifying and securing new business opportunities is essential. The role requires a consultative candidate with proven experience when it comes to identifying customer needs and supply gaps and interpreting these for product development opportunities. This is a tremendous opportunity for an experienced and successful sales professional to join an ambitious and well established global market leader. The successful candidate will be an extremely confident, charismatic, high achieving individual with demonstrable experience of managing sales on an International scale with the ability to prove they engage clients at the earliest stages of the project lifecycle. This is a phenomenal opportunity for a dynamic sales professional who has the talent, drive and ability to add value to the expansion of this awesome brand. Providing your experience fits with the requirement, we welcome your application