Business Development Manager – Export (Africa)

About the role

Danone is seeking a Business Development Manager to lead export‑focused sales, marketing and distribution across its African expansion markets, including Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. You will be responsible for driving growth, managing distributor relationships and ensuring the successful execution of commercial plans.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement country‑specific export growth plans aligned with the African expansion strategy.
• Support distributors in creating channel and customer plans that match overall country objectives.
• Design tactical activation plans per channel and manage key account and trade‑marketing co‑operative spend.
• Lead monthly forecasting, order scheduling and coordination with the supply chain to maintain optimal stock levels.
• Drive volume, value and profitability through distributors, monitoring execution targets and KPI performance.
• Manage ad‑hoc projects, key account agreements and portfolio pricing strategies for each market.
• Oversee activation of promotional material, trade programs and media campaigns.
• Control in‑country budgets, track activation spend and identify financial efficiency opportunities.
• Lead, coach and develop distributor sales teams to maintain high performance and engagement.

Required profile

• Proven experience in export sales or business development within the FMCG sector.
• Strong understanding of African market dynamics and distributor management.
• Ability to create and execute strategic growth and activation plans.
• Excellent forecasting, budgeting and financial monitoring skills.
• Leadership capability to coach and develop distributor teams.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape Danone’s growth in high‑potential African markets.
• Collaborative environment with a focus on professional development.
• Competitive compensation package aligned with performance.