Technical Business Development Manager

SUMMARY:
Our client recently established a business focused on commercializing patent magnetic separation technology for mineral upgrading in Southern Africa.

They are looking for a Technical Business Development Manager with strong technical capability in mineral processing and the ability to drive early-stage commercialization.

The Technical Business Development Manager will play a key role in shaping and driving our commercial strategy, bridging the gap between our technological capabilities and business growth. The ideal candidate will bring:

• A strategic approach with strong business insight
• Hands-on operational knowledge and practical experience
• A firm technical foundation, supported by both education and real-world application
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across technical and commercial teams
• Proven ability to craft and deliver compelling presentations, proposals, and tenders

POSITION INFO:

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to shaping and implementing the go-to-market approach for mineral upgrading technology.
• Lead efforts to commercialize targeted market opportunities, with an initial focus on magnetite.
• Clearly define and communicate the value proposition, ensuring alignment with market demands and diverse business models (e.g., toll processing, buy-process-sell, profit sharing).
• Partner with senior leadership to establish clear priorities, milestones, and commercial objectives.

• Identify and engage with potential collaborators including feedstock providers, customers, and offtake partners within the region.
• Manage the full commercial engagement lifecycle—from initial outreach and sample testing to trials, proposals, and contract negotiation.
• Develop scalable frameworks and commercial processes to support long-term success.
• Collaborate with finance to create comprehensive financial models for each partnership.

• Collaborate closely with the technical team to:
  
  • Define client needs and expectations.
  • Identify technical constraints.
  • Manage sampling and feedstock logistics.
  • Oversee testing, pilots, and demonstration initiatives.
  • Align technical capabilities with customer objectives.
• Proactively address operational challenges and provide commercial insights to resolve them.
• Assist in designing site rollout strategies and operational setups for customer deployments.

• Help refine and structure the product offering to ensure it meets both technical and commercial standards.
• Contribute to the development of the company’s brand identity, digital presence, and outreach strategies.
• Assist in creating compelling customer materials such as proposals, case studies, and technical-commercial documentation.

• Develop and maintain a strong presence in the mining and mineral processing ecosystem.
• Monitor industry trends, policy changes, and new opportunities within the region.
• Represent the organization at industry events, conferences, and client site visits.

• Keep accurate records of business development activities, deal progress, and next steps using CRM tools.
• Regularly update leadership with progress reports, market intelligence, and emerging risks or prospects.

Qualifications & Experience

• A minimum of 10 years in business development, commercial strategy, or related roles within mining, mineral processing, or metallurgy.
• Strong technical foundation—preferably with a degree in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or Mineral Processing.
• Proven track record in managing complex deals from early-stage engagement to operational delivery.
• Experience with the commercialization of industrial or mining-related technologies is highly desirable.
• Understanding of tolling agreements, processing deals, or materials trading is an advantage.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong ability to connect technical concepts with business opportunities.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial approach and comfort in dynamic, evolving environments.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building capabilities.
• Willingness to travel frequently, including to remote operational sites.
• Independent yet collaborative; able to work effectively across executive, technical, and field teams.