Business Development Manager at Grant Thornton Kenya

Job Summary

The incumbent will be responsible in building and maintaining customer relationships, collecting market information related to the detergent business

Job Description

Job Summary

• Responsible for developing business in the detergency industry across the East Africa region by finding commercial opportunities with the technical aspects of the detergent industry.
• The incumbent will be responsible in building and maintaining customer relationships, collecting market information related to the detergent business (customers, competitors, trends, etc.) and identifying new opportunities.

Main responsibilities

• New Business Development Prospect for potential new clients and turn this into increased business in the detergency industry across the East Africa region.
• Provide game-changing biological solutions that improve industrial processes and everyday products from textiles to detergents.
• Cold call as appropriate within the market or geographic area to ensure a robust pipeline of opportunities.
• Meet potential clients by growing, maintaining, and leveraging your network. Identify potential clients, and the decision makers within the client organization.
• Research and build relationships with new clients.
• Set up meetings between client decision makers and company’s practice leaders/Principals.
• Plan approaches and pitches-work with team to develop proposals that speaks to the client’s needs, concerns, and objectives.
• Participate in pricing the solution/service. Handle objections by clarifying, emphasizing agreements and working through differences to a positive conclusion.
• Use a variety of styles to persuade or negotiate appropriately.
• Present an image that mirrors that of the client.
• Client Retention Present new products and services and enhance existing relationships.
• Work with technical staff and other internal colleagues to meet customer needs.
• Arrange and participate in internal and external client debriefs.
• Business Development Planning
• Attend industry functions, such as association events and conferences, and provide feedback and information on market and creative trends.
• Present to and consult with mid and senior level management on business trends with a view to developing new services, products, and distribution channels.
• Identify opportunities for campaigns, services, and distribution channels that will lead to an increase in sales. Using knowledge of the market and competitors, identify and develop the company’s unique selling propositions and differentiators.
• Management and Research Submit weekly progress reports and ensure data is accurate.
• Forecast sales targets and ensure they are met by the team.
• Track and record activity on accounts and help to close deals to meet these targets.
• Work with marketing staff to ensure that prerequisites (like prequalification or getting on a vendor list) are fulfilled within a timely manner.
• Ensure all team members represent the company in the best light.
• Present business development training and mentoring to business developers and other internal staff.
• Research and develop a thorough understanding of the company’s people and capabilities.
• Understand the company’s goal and purpose so that will continual to enhance the company’s performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Sciences
• 3 years’ hands on experience on detergent industry and talent for relationship-building
• Have experience in formulation, production, B2B, B2C technical sales of detergents/specialty ingredients
• Possess strong technical understanding of the detergency market & customer needs
• Must have proven communication and presentation skills as well as proficient in Microsoft Office
• Be prepared to work flexibly and travel a lot
• Can speak English fluently; French will be an added advantage