Founded in 2012, Our client’s Vision is to build a world where people take control of their environment in rewarding and sustainable ways. Our Client does this by developing and commercializing life-changing technology that solves the biggest daily challenges for the world’s 570 million smallholder farming households. We are the largest distributor of solar water pumps / solar irrigation for smallholder farmers in Africa and were selected by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2021. Over the last 5 years, the company has grown significantly and now employs 400+ People around the world.
About the role
The key role in this function is to identify and develop strategic relationships with business partners to drive the attainment of Uganda’s commercial objectives. The Business Development Manager (BD Manager) is responsible for identifying, screening, and successfully closing business-to-business (B2B) sales opportunities. The BD Manager will oversee the well-being of the key stakeholders and activity implementation with commercial partners. The BD Manager is required to effectively represent the company in the external marketplace as well as build internal company-wide capacity to deliver a great customer experience. This role thus requires strong collaboration, leadership, and capacity development of internal teams, mainly the Sales, After-sales, and Operations teams for the successful implementation of Business Development initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute Uganda’s Business Development strategy with a focus on sales expansion, market penetration and company positioning.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize business development opportunities, designing partnership structures, managing risks, and maximizing sales potential.
• Identify competitive threats and propose appropriate actions to safeguard partnerships and the company’s market position.
• Represent and promote the company’s interests in conferences and meetings while gaining insights into upcoming market trends.
• Facilitate the development of concept notes and proposals to attract investment.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to set business objectives and development goals.
Stakeholder and Partner Management
• Maintain an updated map of stakeholders in the public and private sectors, outlining different value propositions that suit potential partners.
• Develop a robust pipeline of B2B engagements by conducting thorough research and analysis to identify new sales opportunities, partners, markets, influencers, and facilitators,
• Build a high-profile network with NGOs, MFIs, Banks, government entities, out-growers, and complementary product providers such as well diggers, input providers and marketers
• Draft and negotiate contract terms and non-disclosure agreements with relevant partners.
• Manage all commercial partnerships through effective communication and being the main contact person.
• Oversee the execution of all B2B projects, ensuring they are implemented within set timelines and budgetary allocations while delivering high-quality service.
• Provide monthly progress reports on all key accounts and partnerships.
Team Development
• Recruit, onboard, and manage Business Development Associates
• Establish clear operational structures within the department, defining roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities for all team members.
• Support and develop capacities within the BD team and provide necessary support, tools, and software for the team to excel in their roles.
• Develop departmental budgets and ensure adherence to allocated resources.
• Set departmental OKRs and KPIs, ensuring team alignment and ownership with progress updates provided on a weekly basis
• Monitor costs, sales, revenue, portfolio performance, and other relevant data for departmental decision-making.
Business Operations Development
• Delegate duties effectively, manage time efficiently, and obtain buy-in from the Sales, Operations, and sales teams to deliver through them.
• Facilitate recruitment and management of Field Sales Agents and Field Engineers, and establish Sales and Service Centers to support the achievement of direct and B2B sales targets.
• Support continuous improvements to the customer journey, systems, and processes to enhance the customer experience.
• Manage key service providers, such as logistics and credit partners, to maximize performance.
• Diagnose challenges, risks, opportunities, and gaps, collaborating with internal teams for change management and enhanced implementation.
Does this sound like you?
• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Business, Finance, or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the B2B industry, preferably in business development or other operational functions, with a focus on Uganda. Experience in the renewable energy sector is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience working in cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to convert data into actionable insights.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective presentations.
• Persuasive communicator with strong business acumen.
• Independent thinker with problem-solving skills in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
• Expert in work prioritization, time management, and handling pressure.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to thrive in resource-constrained environments.
• Proven leadership skills in managing large teams through mentorship and coaching.
• Ability to work autonomously, handle multiple projects simultaneously, and step in on other projects as required.
Job application procedure
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More Information
- Address Kampala, Uganda, East Africa
- Salary Offer Not disclosed
- Total Years Experience 0-5
- Education Level Bachelor Degree
- Work hours 8
