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. The role will drive growth plans, manage distributor relationships and ensure profitable market penetration.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement country‑specific export growth plans.
• Support distributors in creating channel and customer plans aligned with overall objectives.
• Design tactical activation plans for each channel and country.
• Lead execution and monthly forecasting of stock, sales and arrivals.
• Drive volume, value and profitability through distributor performance.
• Coordinate supply‑chain activities to meet scheduled orders.
• Monitor and enforce KPI scorecards covering service levels, distribution, pricing and promotions.
• Manage budgets for activations, promotions and cooperative spend.
• Lead distributor teams, providing coaching on sales, trade marketing and category management.
• Oversee ad‑hoc projects and key account agreements across shared accounts.

Required profile

• Proven experience in export‑focused sales, marketing and distribution.
• Ability to develop and execute growth and activation plans for multiple markets.
• Experience managing budgets, P&L and financial efficiency initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with distributors and internal commercial teams.

Required skills