Supply Chain Partnerships & Commercial Growth Lead at Pezesha

The ideal candidate understands how supply chains work, can identify financing opportunities within them, and has the ability to take a partnership from prospecting → deal closure → credit program design → launch → portfolio growth.

Key Responsibilities1. Develop & Close Supply Chain Partnerships

• Identify and build relationships with strong anchor partners across key sectors including FMCG, Healthcare, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail, and other relevant value chains.
• Target businesses with established networks of distributors, retailers, agents, merchants, and MSMEs.
• Build and maintain a strong monthly pipeline of high-potential anchor partnerships.
• Develop relationships with senior decision-makers including CEOs, CFOs, Commercial Directors, Supply Chain Directors, and Heads of Distribution.
• Lead commercial discussions and negotiate partnership agreements that create scalable origination opportunities for Pezesha.
• Drive partner acquisition, onboarding, activation, and retention.
• Consistently meet agreed monthly and quarterly partnership origination targets.

Marketing, Go-to-Market & Strategy

• Clearly position Pezesha’s Origination-as-a-Service value proposition across priority supply chain sectors.
• Develop and execute sector-specific go-to-market strategies to acquire high-quality anchor partners.
• Develop targeted commercial and marketing initiatives that increase access to finance among MSMEs, with a particular focus on women-owned MSMEs.
• Identify market opportunities and emerging financing needs within different supply chains.
• Gather market and partner insights to inform demand-led product development.
• Work closely with Product, Credit, Data, Marketing, and Operations teams to translate market opportunities into commercially viable solutions.
• Build Pezesha’s visibility and strategic relationships within the supply chain finance ecosystem.

Develop Credit Programs for Supply Chain Partners

• Assess financing needs and credit gaps across different points of the supply chain.
• Identify where working capital or other forms of credit can unlock growth for distributors, retailers, and MSMEs.
• Work with anchor partners to co-create tailored credit programs based on their specific supply chain needs.
• Develop commercially viable credit program concepts, including target customers, use cases, ticket sizes, repayment structures, and expected volumes.
• Work with Pezesha management, Credit, Product, and Capital teams to determine the appropriate funding requirements and capital structure for each program.
• Support the launch, activation, and scaling of partner-led credit programs.
• Monitor program performance and identify opportunities to improve adoption, portfolio growth, and profitability.

Pipeline, Forecasting & Commercial Modelling

• Build and maintain a robust partnership pipeline with clear stages, expected close dates, deal values, and revenue potential.
• Develop commercial models and revenue forecasts for partnerships and credit programs.
• Implement effective pipeline management and opportunity tracking systems.
• Monitor commercial performance, including partner acquisition, activation, portfolio growth, revenue, and growth within women-owned MSME segments.
• Provide accurate weekly and monthly reports on pipeline health, partnership performance, revenue generation, credit program performance, and inclusion metrics.
• Use commercial data and market insights to identify opportunities, improve conversion, and maximise revenue.

Cross-Functional Execution

• Work closely with Product, Credit, Data, Technology, Operations, Finance, Marketing, and Capital teams to move partnerships from origination to launch.
• Ensure smooth partner onboarding and handover from commercial negotiations to implementation.
• Maintain strong partner relationships throughout the lifecycle of each program.
• Act as the commercial owner and key relationship manager for strategic anchor partners.

Qualifications & ExperienceRequired

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, sales, supply chain finance, fintech, banking, FMCG, distribution, or a related commercial role.
• Demonstrated track record of originating and closing B2B partnerships, preferably with mid-sized and large organisations.
• Strong advantage: coming with existing supply chain networks across East Africa market
• Strong understanding of supply chains and the dynamics of distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and MSMEs.
• Strong existing supply chain networks across East Africa, particularly relationships with anchor businesses, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and MSME networks. This will be a significant advantage.
• Experience managing a commercial pipeline and working against revenue or partnership targets.
• Strong commercial negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to build relationships with senior executives and decision-makers.
• Strong analytical and financial modelling skills, with the ability to understand commercial economics and credit programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of ownership, execution, and entrepreneurial drive.

Preferred

• Experience in fintech, embedded finance, digital lending, supply chain finance, banking, or financial services.
• Experience developing or launching credit/financing programs.
• Existing relationships across FMCG, Agriculture, Healthcare, Distribution, Retail, or other MSME-heavy sectors.
• Experience working with financial institutions, investors, lenders, or capital providers.
• Experience serving or developing products for women-owned MSMEs.
• Experience working in a fast-growing startup or scale-up environment.

Commission & Performance Structure

• This is a target-driven commercial role, with significant earning potential linked to successful origination and commercial performance.

Compensation

Base Salary: Competitive fixed monthly salary based on experience and seniority.

Variable Commission: Commission will be earned based on measurable commercial outcomes, including:

• Partnership Closure – commission for qualifying anchor partnerships successfully signed and approved.
• Partner Activation – additional commission when a signed partner successfully launches and begins originating transactions.
• Revenue Generation – commission linked to revenue generated from originated partnerships.
• Portfolio/Origination Performance – additional performance incentives linked to the growth and quality of credit originated through the partner.
• Strategic Partnership Bonus – additional incentives may be awarded for high-value partnerships that generate significant origination potential or strategic value to Pezesha.
• Long-Term ESOP: Opportunity to earn ESOP shares after 12 months, subject to demonstrating sustained revenue growth, strong partnership performance, and significant contribution to Pezesha’s long-term commercial growth.