About Safouane
I help companies open new markets they haven't been able to crack — the ones with no existing pipeline, no local network, and no clear entry point.
Over 10+ years at SEE Telecom, I built the company's presence from zero in the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa, and revived stalled markets in Greece, Poland, and Spain. Results include landmark infrastructure contracts in Abu Dhabi (metro/tunnel systems), the company's first-ever sale to Saudi Aramco, and becoming the reference supplier for Istanbul and Ankara's metro radio systems — 50+ projects won across 10+ countries in total.
I work end-to-end: market research and prospecting, building local partnerships, running the full sales cycle, negotiating with decision-makers, and closing. I travel regularly to meet clients and attend trade exhibitions, and I'm comfortable operating independently with minimal onboarding.
Based in Lausanne, Switzerland — available for remote engagements with international travel, across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Fluent in French, Arabic, English, and Turkish.
French
Native or bilingual
Arabic
Native or bilingual
English
Fluent
Turkish
Fluent
Spanish
Basic
Can work on-site
Lausanne (up to 50km), Geneva (up to 50km), Zurich (up to 50km), Bern (up to 50km), Basel (up to 50km)
Experience
- SEE TelecomIndependent Business Development ConsultantTELECOMMUNICATIONSMarch 2025 - Today (1 year and 4 months)Lausanne, SwitzerlandOperating independently since March 2025, providing business development services to SEE Telecom as lead client, alongside a systems integrator in Türkiye and an IT company in France. Own the full BD cycle: prospecting, client negotiations, contract closing, and international market development.
- SEE TelecomBusiness Development ManagerTELECOMMUNICATIONSNovember 2017 - March 2025 (7 years and 4 months)BelgiumTransitioned to independent consultant in 2025 to gain greater flexibility and broaden client scope, while continuing to lead business development for SEE Telecom.• ● Took ownership of markets outside the company's traditional EU base — Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and underperforming EU accounts — regions with no dedicated coverage prior to my arrival.• ● Developed and executed proactive sales strategies across Poland, Türkiye, Greece, Spain, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.• ● Led product demonstrations, client meetings, and contract negotiations, securing long-term agreements with key accounts.• ● Represented the company at major international exhibitions (incl. MWC Barcelona), increasing brand visibility and market penetration.• ● As independent consultant, also deliver business development services to a systems integrator in Türkiye and an IT company in France.
- VEKMAR Elektrik Sistemleri,Export Projects ManagerSeptember 2013 - May 2016 (2 years and 8 months)İstanbul, Türkiye• ● Managed international export projects across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, including: Coca-Cola production site (Erbil, Iraq), Karbalaa Stadium (Iraq), Marilys Hotel (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), Kyan Plast production site (Misurata, Libya), Ofuk Al Majd (Saudi Arabia), Cogelec (Madagascar), M&E (Mauritius), and SNCFT maintenance works (Tunisia).• ● Led market studies, prospecting, and pricing/marketing strategy on a per-region basis.• ● Represented the company at international exhibitions and partner meetings across France, UK, Germany, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Iraq, KSA, Mauritius, Gabon, and Ethiopia.• ● Owned the full deal cycle: engineering assistance, pricing/negotiation, decision-making, and customs/overseas transportation logistics.
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Education
- National Engineering DiplomaNational Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT)2013National Engineering Diploma
- Preparatory Engineering Studies — Mathematics & PhysicsTunis Preparatory Engineering Institute (IPEIT)2010Preparatory Engineering Studies — Mathematics & Physics