Business Development Manager - Gulf Countries - Business Assurance - Supply Chain & Sustainability Services

Company Description

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 100,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

SGS is looking for an accomplished and commercially driven Business Development Manager with strong experience in Supply Chain and Sustainability services to drive business growth for Business Assurance across the GCC region. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to develop strategic relationships with government entities, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), major private-sector organizations, multinational companies, and their supplier and contractor networks, while identifying and securing opportunities across supply-chain assurance, ESG and sustainability programs.

Job Description

• Develop and execute account plans targeting ministries, government procurement authorities, public agencies, SOEs, national industrial programs and infrastructure developers.
• Originate and secure customized second-party and third-party supplier audits, vendor prequalification, contractor qualification, procurement compliance, supply-chain risk reviews, and ongoing supplier-monitoring programs.
• Develop ESG and sustainability business opportunities covering responsible sourcing, labour and human-rights practices, carbon/GHG assessment and verification, circularity, waste and resource efficiency, traceability, and supplier sustainability performance.
• Translate government procurement, localisation, supply-chain transparency and sustainability requirements into auditable scopes, measurable programs, and multi-year framework agreements.
• Work closely with SGS technical specialists to distinguish independent verification and assurance services from consultancy, ensuring service eligibility, technical competence, independence, and relevant accreditation are validated before proposals are issued.
• Collaborate with Global Segments, SGS Academy, and other SGS divisions to facilitate specialist service delivery, training opportunities, and cross-selling initiatives.
• Operate as a senior individual contributor, with direct responsibility for prospecting, client discovery, opportunity qualification, proposal development, negotiations, contract wins, and formal handover across all 6 GCC countries.
• Own and deliver a quantified annual Growth Bridge covering new client acquisition, competitor conversions, cross-selling, new service opportunities, account expansion, and pricing improvements.
• Develop prioritized named-account plans, identify and map key buying committees and procurement routes, and apply consultative, value-based selling approaches to generate sustainable business.
• Lead complex tenders and framework agreements in collaboration with country Business Managers and Global Segment teams, operating within agreed opportunity ownership and revenue-attribution guidelines.
• Protect expected LC through accurate scope definition, pricing discipline, compliance with approval processes, and validation of delivery capacity.

Qualifications

Essential Candidate Requirements

• 12+ years of successful GCC B2B professional or technical-services sales in supply chain, ESG/sustainability, TIC, audit or consultancy.
• University degree or relevant qualification in Supply Chain Management, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with ISO 14064, ISO 14067, ISO 14040/44, ISO 20400 and other applicable assurance standards.
• Strong relationships with GCC government entities, SOEs, public procurement stakeholders and major supplier/contractor networks.
• Experience developing customized assurance programs, complex tenders and multi-country/multi-site contracts.
• Working knowledge of responsible sourcing, supplier due diligence, ESG, GHG/carbon, circularity and independent audit or verification methods.
• Strong executive communication, CRM/SFDC discipline and commercial judgement.
• Able to travel regularly across GCC (Base location is flexible within any GCC country)
• Fluent English. Proficiency in Arabic would be an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Strong business development and new-client acquisition capabilities, supported by structured territory management and strategic account development.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage complex sales opportunities and successfully close high-value deals.
• Strong commercial acumen, financial judgement and practical problem-solving abilities.
• Resilience, adaptability and the ability to work effectively across multiple markets and cross-functional teams.
• Strong customer orientation, attention to detail, disciplined follow-through and a proactive approach to identifying customer assurance and sustainability needs.
• High standards of professional integrity, accountability and ethical business conduct.

Additional Information