Business Development Manager at Deola Sagoe

Job Description
We are seeking an ambitious and energetic Business Development Manager to help us expand our clientele. The person in this position will be the front of the company and will have the dedication to create and apply an effective sales strategy. You will be responsible for driving sustainable financial growth through boosting sales and forging strong relationships with clients.

Key Elements of the role
Report to the Head, Corporate Strategy & Commercial Development

• Develop a business development and growth strategy focused both on financial gain and customer satisfaction
• Develop/implement Strategic Marketing & Sales plans, including detailed budgets and forecasts in effort to secure contracts for the company
• Conduct research to identify new markets and customer needs while managing existing accounts throughout the entire product lifecycle and providing customer sales support
• Identify key trends in association with Design and Production teams
• Arrange business meetings with prospective clients
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients at project and senior management level, demonstrating the company’s capability in specialist fashion solutions and contracting services through presentation and technical knowledge
• Promote the company’s products/services addressing or predicting clients’ objectives
• Prepare sales contracts ensuring adherence to law-established rules and guidelines
• Support, guide and make inputs on proposal team’s technical and commercial proposals to ensure they are in line with client’s needs and expectations
• Follow up with clients and others on status of proposal submitted
• Close new business deals through the coordination of requirements, develop and negotiate contracts in conjunction with Senior Management Team; integrating contract requirements with business operations
• Support clients through the execution of the projects, facilitating communication and actions when necessary throughout the project life cycle
• Develop competitor intelligence which will help mold our operational and sales strategies
• Screen potential prospects through analyzing market strategies for evaluating options; resolve internal priorities; leverage requirements with business operations
• Manage Budget and cost responsibility
• Liaise with customers and in-house Design/Business Development Team in order to develop seasonal ranges
• Provide customers with accurate and timely sampling, costing, lead-time and delivery Information as needed working with the head office production team
• Keep records of sales, revenue, invoices etc
• Develop, maintain and grow a comprehensive client database
• Provide trustworthy feedback and after-sales support
• Build long-term relationships with new and existing customers
• Develop entry level staff into valuable salespeople

Desired Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree/HND in Business Administration, Marketing or any other relevant discipline with 7 years demonstrable experience in the same capacity
• MBA and/or Professional financial certification will be an added advantage
• Membership with Fashion Institutes
• Extensive knowledge of International fashion business practices and procedures
• Business acumen and understanding of the retail products and business life-cycle
• Excellent knowledge in marketing, market research, corporate communications
• Experience in set-up and implementation of new business models in the lifestyle sector
• Extensive network in fashion and lifestyle
• High affinity for innovative themes and intuition for market trends
• Proven sales track record
• Experience in cost and project management
• Ability to coordinate external partners
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to build rapport
• Excellent time management and planning skills
• Excellent poise, presence, and presentation skills
• Excellent presentation and territory management skills
• Self-starter with mature analytical skills and ability to work under pressure
• Ability to handle people, processes and products
• Innovative and forward thinking, with a track record of executing new ideas
• Excellent organisational skills
• High level of attention to detail
• Good problem solving and decision making skills
• Good negotiation and persuasion skills
• Experience in the use of ERP
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Outlook and Excel