Business Development Manager
Listing reference: etn_000010
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 21 March 2026
Position summary
Industry: Public Administration & Defence
Job category: External Sales
Location: Johannesburg
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: No
Introduction
Etion Create is an Original Design Manufacturer specialising in the design, manufacture, integration and support of advanced technology systems. We are seeking to employ a Business Development Manager in our Business Development Division.
This role will require international travel.
Job description
Revenue & Growth:
- Generate and grow revenue through the generation of sales
- Support revenue growth through well-engineered solutions
Technical Analysis & Engagement:
- Conduct technical market analysis to identify new applications, sectors, and solution opportunities
- Engage customers at a technical level to understand system requirements, constraints, and use cases
- Translate customer needs into feasible solutions aligned with internal engineering and manufacturing capabilities
Solution Development:
- Assess solution feasibility, risks, lead times, and cost drivers in collaboration with engineering teams
- Develop technical proposals, solution descriptions, and supporting documentation
- Act as the technical interface between customers and internal development, quality, and production teams
Product & Knowledge Management:
- Maintain deep knowledge of products and system integration capabilities
- Manage and document customer engagements, opportunities, and solution history
- Contribute to product roadmap input and solution standardisation based on market and customer feedback
Minimum requirements
- Relevant tertiary education within the engineering industry
- Postgraduate qualification will be advantageous
- Minimum 5 years' experience in the electronic/software development industry
- Minimum 5 years' project management experience
- Minimum 5–10 years' experience in business development and customer relations
- Experience in the defence industry with specific experience in military land systems
Technical Competencies:
- Strong understanding of electronic systems, embedded systems, or industrial technology
- Ability to translate customer requirements into technical solutions
- Understanding of system architecture, integration, and technical constraints
- Ability to assess technical feasibility, risks, and trade-offs for customer solutions
- Comfortable engaging in technical discussions with engineers and technically informed customers
- Basic commercial awareness (cost drivers, lead times, feasibility impact on pricing)
IT Skills:
- Computer literacy – solid proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Jira/Confluence usage an advantage
Customer Relations:
- Fostering a culture of customer centricity and effective customer relation skills
Personal Attributes
- Reliability, honesty, dependability and trustworthiness
- Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
- Ability to build trust-based relationships through technical competence
- Clear, structured communicator (verbal and written), especially for technical topics
- Resilience in managing complex or evolving customer requirements
- Values long-term customer relationships over short-term transactions
- Mature and positive attitude
- Ability to apply initiative and be creative
- Ability to work in a team and under pressure
- Intrinsic sense of responsibility
- Well organised and deadline driven
- Attention to detail
- Good interpersonal skills
- Neat personal appearance
- Ability to work well with management, personnel and customers