Business Development Manager

Position Overview

• An established engineering and industrial solutions organisation is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Business Development Manager – Electrical, Control & Instrumentation EC&I to develop and expand its business across KwaZulu-Natal.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, establishing strategic customer relationships, securing major industrial projects and promoting a comprehensive portfolio of electrical, automation, control and instrumentation products and solutions.
• This position requires a technically competent sales professional with strong commercial acumen, an established network within the KwaZulu-Natal industrial market and a proven track record of generating new business within manufacturing, heavy industry and industrial infrastructure.
• The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of LV/MV electrical systems, switchgear, motor control, drives, PLCs, SCADA, instrumentation and turnkey EC&I projects, with experience engaging industrial plants, engineering consultants and major project stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities Business Development & Sales Growth

• Identify and develop new business opportunities throughout KwaZulu-Natal.
• Develop and execute strategic sales plans aligned with business growth objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with industrial customers, consulting engineers, contractors and end users.
• Generate and manage a strong sales pipeline through structured prospecting and CRM management.
• Identify and secure enquiries, tenders and major industrial project opportunities.
• Develop new customer accounts while strengthening existing business relationships.
• Identify opportunities for both individual product sales and complete engineered solutions.
• Achieve agreed revenue, sales growth and margin targets.
• Convert qualified opportunities into profitable long-term business.

Technical Sales & EC&I Solutions

• Promote a comprehensive range of electrical, control and instrumentation products and solutions, including:
• LV and MV electrical systems.
• Switchgear.
• Variable Speed Drives VSDs and motor control.
• Motor Control Centres MCCs and electrical panels.
• PLC and SCADA systems.
• Industrial automation solutions.
• Process instrumentation.
• Control systems and integration.
• Electrical infrastructure.
• Turnkey EC&I projects.
• Assess customer technical requirements and recommend appropriate products or engineered solutions.
• Collaborate with internal engineering and project teams to develop technically suitable solutions.
• Conduct technical product presentations and demonstrations.
• Support the preparation of quotations, technical proposals and tenders.
• Communicate the technical and commercial value of proposed solutions.

KwaZulu-Natal Market Development

• Identify and develop opportunities across the KwaZulu-Natal industrial market.
• Target industries including:
• Manufacturing and heavy industry.
• Pulp and paper.
• Sugar mills and agro-processing.
• Ports and logistics infrastructure.
• Water and wastewater treatment.
• Chemicals and petrochemicals.
• Automotive manufacturing.
• Mining and mineral processing.
• Industrial infrastructure and utilities.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities and emerging opportunities.
• Identify potential industrial projects before formal tender stages.
• Develop relationships with engineering consultants, EPC/EPCM organisations and industrial contractors.
• Expand the organisation's market presence and customer base throughout the region.
• Identify opportunities involving industrial shutdowns, plant upgrades, maintenance projects and capital investment programmes.

Customer & Strategic Account Management

• Establish and maintain long-term relationships with key industrial customers.
• Engage with engineering managers, plant managers, maintenance managers, project managers and procurement decision-makers.
• Act as the primary commercial contact for strategic accounts within the region.
• Maintain regular customer engagement and provide a high standard of service.
• Identify additional business opportunities within existing accounts.
• Build credibility with both technical and executive stakeholders.
• Support customer retention and long-term account development.

Sales Pipeline, Tendering & Reporting

• Maintain accurate CRM records and sales opportunity information.
• Provide regular sales pipeline, forecasting and performance reports.
• Track opportunities from initial identification through to successful conversion.
• Coordinate tender submissions and commercial proposals.
• Assist with quotations and project commercial reviews.
• Monitor sales performance against agreed targets.
• Maintain visibility of potential revenue, project opportunities and expected sales margins.

Minimum Requirements

• National Diploma, BTech, Degree or relevant Trade Qualification in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, Automation, Process Control or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 8–10 years' relevant experience within the electrical, automation, control or instrumentation industry.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in business development, technical sales or key account management within the EC&I sector.
• Proven track record of generating new business and securing major industrial orders or projects.
• Strong technical understanding of LV/MV electrical systems, switchgear, motor control, drives, MCCs, PLCs, SCADA and instrumentation.
• Experience selling technical products, engineered solutions or industrial projects.
• Established customer relationships within the KwaZulu-Natal industrial market.
• Experience engaging consulting engineers, EPC/EPCM contractors, industrial plants and end users.
• Strong commercial, negotiation and closing capabilities.
• Experience using CRM systems and managing sales pipelines.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout KwaZulu-Natal.
• Stable and explainable employment history.

Advantageous Experience

• Existing relationships with major industrial customers in Durban, Pinetown, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg and surrounding industrial areas.
• Experience selling ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation, WEG or similar industrial products and solutions.
• Experience in both technical product sales and turnkey project sales.
• Exposure to industrial plant upgrades, shutdowns, capital projects and maintenance-related opportunities.
• Experience working with engineering consultants and EPC/EPCM organisations.
• Experience securing large industrial contracts and profitable projects.
• Strong understanding of industrial procurement and tendering processes.
• Experience within manufacturing, pulp and paper, sugar processing, ports, petrochemicals, automotive or heavy industry.

Key Competencies The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong technical knowledge of EC&I products and solutions.
• Excellent business development and new-business generation skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and financial acumen.
• Proven negotiation and closing ability.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Confidence engaging with senior technical and commercial stakeholders.
• A proactive, self-motivated and results-driven approach.
• Strong customer relationship management.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to identify and convert major industrial project opportunities.
• Strong pipeline management and forecasting discipline.
• High levels of professionalism and integrity.
• A customer-focused approach.
• A stable career history and demonstrated professional commitment.

The Ideal Candidate

• The ideal candidate is a mature, technically qualified EC&I business development professional with extensive industrial sales experience, strong KwaZulu-Natal customer relationships and a demonstrated ability to secure profitable business.
• You understand the technical and commercial requirem