My client in the financial services industry is looking to appoint a New Business Development Specialist to join their organisation based in Centurion. This role requires agricultural /farming expertise. 
Main Purpose of the Job
To design and implement the operational plan for meeting increased sales performance targets based on new sources.To identify and source new business opportunities to achieve new growth through effective communication and presentation of the company's business and its offerings to potential new customers or potential intermediaries and then develop, negotiate contracts and terms including credit requirements and pass qualified leads to the Relationship Bankers.
To build and maintain excellent customer relationships and ensuring customer loyalty through excellent customer service as well as meeting client needs appropriate to their business.
Key Performance Areas:
1. Business Development and Growth
 
Agree and implement a business operational plan for exploring, identifying and pursuing of new business opportunities with potential Clients.
Create and maintain networks and identify key stakeholders in order to effectively pursue new business opportunities.
Manage own workload on a day-to-day basis and plan the weekly activities to ensure that there are calls and visit coverage as per the agreed targets.

Perform cold calls in order to secure a visit with the identified customers.
Prepare presentation material to promote the products and offerings to potential customers to make them aware of the company's offering mindful of the Company's business requirements.
Arrange visits with identified customers or Intermediaries as applicable.
Demonstrate good product knowledge and ensure that any material used representing the company and its products are suitably aligned to the brand: i.e. hard copies, presentations training material, reports, etc.
? Work in collaboration with the Commercial Banker, Agriculture Specialist: Origination and the Provincial Manager as applicable.
Work towards converting visits and presentations to real business prospects in order to achieve set sales and growth targets and increase market penetration:
Assess business opportunity aligned to the business realities and requirements of the prospective Clients.
Research and analyse the Client and the financial and onsite status of the business/farm in collaboration with the Agriculture Specialist: Origination.
Prepare an initial assessment to motivate the pursuance of the lead.
Pass on the qualified leads to the Commercial Banker and track the outcome of the deal.
Act in accordance to the policies and procedures and standards of the Bank at all times.

2. Manage Stakeholder Relations

Build, foster and maintain consistent, effective and strong relationships with key role players and strengthen relationships to secure new business opportunities.
Participate in marketing events, whether hosted or invited.
Ensure that all stakeholders remain aware of the value of the products, the processes and principles related to agricultural financing within the environment.
Stay up to date with provincial initiatives and developments and further strengthen the relationship to assess further business opportunities to promote long term mutually beneficial relationships.

3. Reporting

Produces reports in accordance with policies, procedures and formats.
Submits the required reports or input to the Provincial Manager.
Weekly pipeline sheets versus agreed targets.
Weekly qualified leads passed on to Commercial Bankers

 
4. Team and Business Support
 

Work closely with the other members of the relevant teams to deliver outstanding performance.
Take responsibility for routine duties on a regular basis with other members of the team
Manage cost and expenditures aligned to the financial processes and procedures as well as budget guidelines.
Attend team meetings and contribute fully, including suggestions for ways of improving client service.
Support the team by assisting with training, coaching & sharing knowledge& best practice within area of expertise as requested from time to time.
Attend marketing and branding activities such as local farmers activities and may be requested to provide information on industry trends, updates and best practice within own subject of expertise.
Manage own career and personal development.
Adhere to all relevant legislative requirements; i.e. Water Act, Conservation Act,
Provide input or make suggestions for the development of new products and services based on own observations.
Demonstrate behavior aligned to the corporate values.

Preferred Minimum Education and Experience:
Candidates applying for this role will ideally have a 3 year qualification in Agricultural Science, Agricultural Development, a B Com with Business Management.
Candidates should have 3-5 years' experience in Sales or Relationship Management environment.
Experience in a related role with Banking or Financial Services environment (customer facing environment).
Preferably experience in agricultural product environment.
Please send cv's directly to elana@set.co.za only if you meet the requirements. I also require you to answer the following questions when sending your cv.  
Please indicate your highest level of qualification achieved.
 Please indicate your particular level of expertise particularly in relation to this role.
 Please indicate your experience in terms of agricultural product environment.
 Please indicate your level of experience in either a sales or relationship management environment..
 The role requires experience in a a front line/facing within either a banking or financial services environment. Please give a brief overview of your relevant experience.