Business Manager

Responsibilities

Enhance relationship with existing customers, identify and contact promising new customers; Do market research and analysis of business potential for personal care within identified SSA markets, monitor market trends in commercial, technical, and marketing aspects, issue reports regularly; Familiarize oneself and identify the best route to market model per SSA country; Contact person for local external distributors, consult them in technical questions and new business development; Submit principals' quotations or price lists, payments and delivery terms to customers and ensure details are communicated to principals; Follow-up of daily activities for service requirements such as technical support and product presentations in line with strategies and guidelines; Report about all competitive activities and relevant information, issue reports regularly; Work closely with departments of principals such as key account management, technical service, product management, NBD, customer service, supply chain, and business services; Overarching responsibility for managing product planning pipeline and forecasts, ensure adequate product availability for customer requirements; Identify new business and/or new projects, analyze market opportunities, maintain project pipeline; Responsibility for all internal administrative elements associated with the business manager role; Represent the business area at exhibitions; Act as messenger in case of customer complaints and credit control, support sample follow up; Participate in BL meetings, industry teams, technical trainings, seminars or telcos

Requirements

Graduates of applied chemistry or polymer science with preferably additional business management training (Min Master Degree required); Strong capabilities in building personal relationships on top of technical affinity; Candidate must come directly from the cosmetics industry with in-depth knowledge of formulation-driven products, raw materials, regulatory environments, and market dynamics specific to cosmetics and personal care; Significant proven professional experience within cosmetics, personal care, or beauty industry; Well-established and active professional network within cosmetics and personal care industry including relationships with customers, partners, suppliers, and key industry stakeholders; Proven track record of growing business within personal care industry in South Africa and across SSA; Experience gained primarily outside the cosmetics or personal care industry will not be considered sufficient; Experience in multinational/corporate organization; Proven proactive track record of delivering results across SSA; Ability to move confidently in a versatile, open, and international organization, enjoy different cultures, fluent in English and one other official language in South Africa; Effective team player who enjoys working together in team; Clear and effective verbal communication skills; Excellent computer literacy and strong proficiency in Excel, CRM, Pricing tools, PowerPoint, and other business management tools

Nice to have

Knowledge of Portuguese or French; Additional business management training

Benefits

Attractive career paths; High-quality development programs; Performance-based remuneration; Occupational health benefits; Hybrid and flexible working environments