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BURN · 1 month ago

West Africa Business Development Manager. (Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal)

Multiple Countries

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

5+ years exp

BURN is seeking an accomplished Business Development Manager to lead the strategic expansion of their B2B business across West Africa. The role involves recruiting distributors for biomass and LPG products, negotiating trade agreements, and managing relationships with key partners to drive growth and market presence.

Clean EnergyCookingManufacturingSocial Entrepreneurship

Responsibilities

Recruit, and onboard national importers across West Africa for our biomass stoves and cookware and negotiate favorable trade terms and distribution partnership agreements that enable profitable and sustainable market growth

Negotiate and secure exclusive importer/distributor agreements with general trade companies purchasing generic branded LPG tabletop cookers, while developing OEM partnerships with trading groups operating under their own brands

Identify, engage, and convert leading LPG stove importers and trading groups specializing in home appliances, particularly those headquartered in Dubai and Singapore, with deep African distribution networks

Collaborate with distributors to co-develop Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that align on sales targets, marketing investments, and operational priorities, build robust business cases for entry into new markets; and track market performance to ensure strong return on investment, implementing corrective actions as needed to maximize market profitability

Define pricing, discount structures, and trade terms to ensure competitiveness of our products in the local markets

Own and manage the P&L for the new markets, delivering on ambitious volume and revenue targets while balancing growth with margin discipline

Map and benchmark competitive offerings (pricing, design, performance, channel presence) and translate insights into customer segmentation, portfolio positioning, and value propositions that enable BURN to win in the local markets

Provide structured market intelligence and continuous feedback to senior management, R&D, Operations to enhance cost efficiency, product design, supply reliability, and go-to-market execution

Build and nurture high-impact relationships with key decision-makers across BURN’s existing and prospective partners — with a particular focus on local, Indian, and Lebanese trading communities in West Africa, as well as commercial hubs such as Dubai, Guangzhou/Shanghai, and Singapore — to drive repeat orders and secure long-term, large-scale distribution deals

Act as BURN’s lead representative in key trading hubs (Dubai, Singapore, Guangzhou, or Shanghai), represent the company at key trade shows and conference to enhance presence, credibility and expand our networks

Position BURN as a credible, competitive partner in the LPG kitchen appliances category, differentiating the brand from low-cost/low-quality imports through superior material selection and performance, proven local manufacturing, and aftersales support

Qualification

Business developmentSales negotiationP&L managementMarket intelligenceRelationship managementCross-cultural negotiationFrench proficiencyEntrepreneurial mindsetProactive approachCommunication skills

Required

Over 5 years of multi-country experience in business development, sales, or related role with exposure to Sahel and Francophone West Africa markets

Established relationships with senior decision-makers at leading trading groups/importers specializing in home appliances or consumer goods in West Africa

Well-connected within the Indian and/or Lebanese business communities in West Africa and in major global hubs (Dubai, Shanghai/Guangzhou, Singapore)

Proven record negotiating and closing importer and distributor agreements in general trade channels for kitchen appliances such as LPG tabletop cookers or consumer goods in general

Deep understanding and knowledge of general and modern trade dynamics across West Africa, with extensive expertise in Profit and Loss management, Route-to-Market strategies, and import/export dynamics in West Africa

Entrepreneurial mindset, proactive approach, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Strong communication, relationship management, and cross-cultural negotiation skills