Business Development Manager - Market Activation

Job Title: Business Development Manager - Market Activation Reports to: Senior Business Development Manager - Trading

Department

Sales Role Purpose The Business Development Manager - Market Activation supports Africa Hub growth by opening new markets, activating distributors and expanding the portfolio across trading and distributor-led markets. Reporting to the Senior Business Development Manager - Trading, the role coordinates internal teams and external partners to deliver compliant and sustainable growth Responsbilities Translate Africa Hub priorities into market-entry and expansion plans for assigned markets. Manage the activation pipeline from opportunity assessment through launch and performance tracking. Identify, assess and onboard distributors and trading partners in line with the agreed process. Build strong distributor relationships and coordinate forecasts, orders and performance reviews. Identify portfolio and distribution opportunities based on market, customer and competitor insights. Coordinate commercial feasibility, pricing, sourcing, regulatory requirements, master data and launch readiness. Track sales, shipments, forecasts, stock and distribution performance, and recommend corrective actions. Ensure compliance with Kraft Heinz requirements for contracts, pricing, payment terms and approvals. Partner with Finance, S&OP, Regulatory, Legal, and Customer Service to deliver priorities. Provide clear updates on progress, risks, decisions and next steps. Technical Skills Distributor management, route-to-market, market entry and portfolio expansion. Commercial analysis, forecasting and performance tracking, with proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint. Project management and cross-functional coordination. Soft Skills Commercial ownership and bias for action. Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management. Structured, adaptable and able to manage multiple markets and priorities.

Desired Candidate Profile

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Marketing or a related field. 3-5 years of experience in business development, sales or market expansion, preferably in Africa or other emerging markets. Fluent English is required; French is an advantage. FMCG or food and beverage experience, with exposure to distributor-led or export markets, is preferred.