Business Development Manager - BA - Mobility & Defense - GCC

Job description

Develop and implement business development plans to drive growth across the GCC in aerospace, aviation, automotive and defense sectors. Identify and secure new business opportunities in management-system certification, supplier assurance, technical audits and customized assurance services. Develop opportunities for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, AS9100-series aerospace standards and IATF 16949-related programmes, subject to SGS approvals and accreditation scope.

Target airlines, MRO providers, airports, aerospace manufacturers, aircraft component suppliers, automotive OEMs, defense contractors, shipbuilding companies and industrial suppliers. Build and maintain strong relationships with senior decision-makers across engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, safety, procurement and executive management. Manage the full sales cycle, including prospecting, client meetings, opportunity qualification, proposal preparation, negotiation and contract closure.

Develop annual territory and key-account plans, focusing on new customers, competitor transfers, cross-selling, new services and existing account growth. Identify opportunities for second-party audits, supplier qualification, contractor assessments, supplier performance reviews and multi-site technical assurance programmes. Lead tenders, commercial proposals, framework agreements and negotiations for major regional accounts.

Maintain and manage the sales pipeline through Salesforce (SFDC), ensuring accurate reporting, opportunity tracking and sales forecasts. Monitor sales performance, qualified pipeline, conversion rates, order intake, profitability and forecast accuracy. Work closely with local Business Managers, Global Segment teams, technical specialists and other SGS divisions to identify opportunities and develop suitable solutions. Coordinate with technical and operational teams to confirm service scope, accreditation requirements, technical resources and delivery timelines.

Ensure pricing and commercial proposals meet internal profitability requirements and approval procedures. Support smooth handover of secured contracts to Operations and maintain strong customer relationships. Ensure compliance with SGS policies, integrity standards, confidentiality, data protection, certification impartiality, export controls and applicable defense-related requirements.

Qualifications

Minimum 12 years of experience in consultative B2B technical services sales and business development, with proven success in securing contracts. Strong sales experience within aerospace, commercial aviation, automotive or defense sectors across the GCC. Background in Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC), Business Assurance, aerospace or automotive quality, technical assurance, engineering consultancy, industrial cybersecurity or multinational technical services.

Proven track record of personally developing new business, managing key accounts and closing complex commercial deals. Strong network of airlines, MRO providers, aerospace manufacturers, automotive OEMs, defense contractors, industrial clients or relevant suppliers across the GCC. Experience selling management-system certification, supplier assurance, technical audits or customized assurance programmes. Experience managing complex tenders, proposals, contract negotiations and multi-country opportunities.

Understanding of accreditation requirements, certification schemes, impartiality, security requirements and relevant industry regulations. Strong knowledge of sales pipeline management, forecasting and Salesforce (SFDC) or similar CRM systems. Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills in English. Willingness to travel regularly across the GCC. Arabic language skills are an advantage. A degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Aviation, Automotive or a related discipline is an advantage.

Experience in consultancy or knowledge of AS9100-series standards, IATF 16949, supplier quality, aerospace maintenance or defense procurement is an advantage.