Business Development Manager (Exports)

Recruiter:

Carlysle Human Capital

Job Ref:

DBN000908/AD

Date posted:

Friday, September 5, 2025

Location:

Durban, South Africa

Salary:

Monthly

SUMMARY:
Our client, an exports company based in Morningside, Durban, is looking for a BDM experienced in export trading of FMCG and commodities.

You will be responsible to build and develop high-value relationships to generate new sales opportunities and expand our market presence. The successful candidate will be responsible for setting and achieving profit budgets, identifying, anticipating market demands to determine what to sell and when; closing sales opportunities.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities

Achieve profit budgets: Set annual profit budgets with MD approval and drive to meet/exceed them.
Opportunity identification: Prospect and identify new sales opportunities in target markets.
Trade negotiations: Negotiate and close trade deals using professional sales techniques.
Client relationship management: Maintain high service levels through strategic relationship building and ongoing client engagement. Actively build, maintain, and leverage a broad and diverse professional network to achieve business objectives.
Regulatory compliance: Ensure compliance with regulations across diverse markets.
Financial & logistical controls: Work within the company’s logistical and financial frameworks.
Risk management: Manage and control trade risks for each sale.
Market insight: Anticipate market demands, know what to sell and when.

Minimum requirements:

Traits:

The ideal candidate is a mature, professional capable of handling a diverse client base with a commercially minded outlook; they rapidly assimilate information, demonstrate a strong numerical acumen, and exhibit meticulous attention to detail. They maintain a big-picture perspective while adeptly managing the finer points, enabling a rapid conversion of opportunity into tangible sales.

Experience:

Solid FMCG export Trade and business development experience with Indian Ocean Island markets would be advantageous.
Excellent knowledge of South African FMCG products and perishable produce is advantageous.
Strong numerical/financial acumen; ability to read and interpret numbers.
Working knowledge of INCO terms (both buying and selling).
Experienced in networking at International Food Trade Shows

Qualifications:

Matric, Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field.

Skills & Competencies:

Relationship management: Build and sustain strategic client relationships.
Mathematical & analytical ability: Reading financials, margins, and KPIs.
Negotiation & sales: Proven capability to close deals and grow revenue.
Market intelligence: Anticipate demand, identify pricing and product opportunities.
Regulatory & compliance: Navigate multi-market regulatory landscapes.
Risk management: Assess and mitigate trade risks. Assertive, with risk-aware decision-making.
Communication: Clear, persuasive, and cross-cultural communication.

Operational:

Role is onsite, Durban. However this role requires regular international travel to target markets (approximately every 6 weeks, about 10 days per trip) to engage with stakeholders.
Valid passport, valid driver's license.

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