Business Development Manager (French Speaking Markets) at AkzoNobel

Job Purpose

To establish and manage the business development and associated activities within Sub Saharan Africa. The main goal is to achieve short and long-term business and financial objectives, and to increase the market share while maintaining the margin expectations of the region. The BDM (Sub Saharan Africa) will develop and execute the Business Plan and Marketing Plans within the targeted Sub Saharan African Region and subsequently work on the execution of such agreed plans to align and maximize the respective marketing and sales effort. The BDM (Sub Saharan Africa) is responsible for meeting business targets that are set during the development of the business and marketing plan, and performance objectives. Provide a support to Business Development in terms of initiating and managing projects.

The BDM (Sub Saharan Africa) will be responsible for maintain and managing relationships with Licensing partner and distributors within the Sub Saharan territory to ensure business standards in terms of AkzoNobel practices and policies are followed.  

Key Activities

• Develop compelling integrated Business growth plan within the targeted Sub Saharan African Region in alignment with global cross-border and country strategies and business objectives.  
• Ensure plans are aligned with and effectively communicated to all stakeholders. Liaise with various the various Sub Saharan Africa country licensing and distributor partners to support any Business Development activity within the region.
• Drive implementation of the initiatives as per agreed cross-border plan and support country marketing teams and other functions in the implementation of the agreed Business Development initiatives.  
• Work closely with the local South African marketing team to design and execute pre-agreed strategies built around developing new business growth.
• Review the effective implementation of the plans in each targeted region on an ongoing basis and provide guidance to the teams to ensure that objectives are achieved. Provide regular status reports to the Commercial Director Sub Saharan Africa.
• Lead and support the development, and/or opening of new markets for AkzoNobel within the Sub Saharan African region.
• Develop effective business relationships and with strategic partners. Such as licensing and distributor partners.
• Manage license renewals and customer partnership agreements and manage and maintain partner status.
• Maintain good relationships with stakeholders
• Be a point of contact in the Business development activities in the region
• Provide accurate demand forecasting to the Demand Manager.
• Work closely with Integrated Supply Chain to ensure the timeously execution of customer orders.
• Work closely with Integrated Supply Chain to ensure license partners work within AkzoNobel agreed safety and quality standards 
• Live the AkzoNobel values and life-saving rules
• Compliance with ISO 9001 / 14001 quality / environmental management systems & corporate Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management system.

Experience & Role Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business /Commerce  
• Extensive business development experience, developing new markets, and moving products from one country to another
• Verbal & written communication in English and French is essential
• Strong project management skills and experience
• Ability to develop new business and build relationships
• Extensive relevant work experience on African & International projects/assignments
• Understanding of doing business in Africa an advantage
• Extensive travelling within African continent