Business Development Manager at SunCulture Kenya Ltd

About the role

The Business Development Manager (BD Manager) at SunCulture Kenya plays a crucial role in identifying and cultivating strategic partnerships to achieve the company's commercial goals. This involves identifying, screening, and closing B2B sales opportunities. The BD Manager will manage key stakeholders and oversee the implementation of activities with commercial partners. Additionally, the role requires the BD Manager to effectively represent SunCulture externally while building internal capacity to ensure an excellent customer experience. This necessitates strong collaboration, leadership, and capacity development within the Sales and Operations teams to successfully execute business development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Development 

• Identify and establish meaningful and impactful partnerships through research and analysis and onboard new partners.

Stakeholder and Partner Management

• 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, manage partnerships through effective communication and oversee the execution of all B2B projects, ensuring they are implemented within set timelines and budgetary allocations while delivering high-quality service.
• In conjunction with the leadership team facilitate the development of concept notes and grant proposals following through to the contractual stage and execution.

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the leadership team to set and execute the 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.
• Conduct market research, stay updated on industry trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes that may impact partnership strategies
• Delegate duties effectively, manage time efficiently, and obtain buy-in from the Sales & Operations teams to deliver through them.

Team Development

• Collaborate with the other members of the leadership team to set departmental KPIs, ensuring team alignment and ownership
• Recruit, onboard and manage Business Development Associates and Sales Representatives
• Develop departmental budgets and ensure adherence to allocated resources.
• Monitor costs, sales, revenue, portfolio performance and other relevant data for departmental decision-making.

Does this sound like you?

• Minimum of 5 years of experience developing and managing strategic partnerships in B2B preferably within the renewable energy and/or agriculture industry.
• Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Business, Finance, or related fields.
• 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.
• Ability to work autonomously, handle multiple projects simultaneously, and step in on other projects as required.