Regional Business Development Manager – East & Southern Africa

About the role

Talent Match Africa is recruiting a Regional Business Development Manager for an established international dairy and food manufacturing business that wants to enter Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia. The role leads market-entry feasibility work across the region: understanding each market, building the numbers, finding the right distribution and manufacturing partners and recommending how the business should enter. Once market entry is approved, there is potential to grow into a Country or Regional Manager role.

Key responsibilities

• Research each market, including size, competitors, pricing and consumer trends in dairy and related food and beverage categories
• Recommend the best entry approach, priority markets and products for the region
• Build landed cost and shelf-price models for each product and market
• Map distribution channels, focusing on General Trade, and shortlist suitable distributors
• Hold initial discussions with distributors and B2B customers
• Identify and assess local contract manufacturers that could produce the client's products under its own brand
• Map import, registration and labelling requirements in each market
• Build relationships with industry bodies, logistics providers and other key partners
• Deliver a clear feasibility report with recommendations and a launch plan

Required profile

• 8+ years of commercial experience in FMCG, with strong experience in the dairy sector in Kenya
• Proven sales and distribution experience in the General Trade channel and/or B2B dairy sales
• Hands-on experience appointing and managing distributors
• Experience in at least one of Rwanda, Tanzania or Zambia
• A relevant Bachelor's degree (an MBA is an advantage)
• Willingness to travel regularly across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia; able to work independently

Required skills

• Strong financial skills, including building cost, pricing and margin models in Excel
• Knowledge of import processes and East African trade regulations
• Experience with market entry, contract manufacturing or private label (advantageous)
• Kiswahili (advantageous)