Business Development Manager, UI – East Africa at Unilever

Job Description (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); On any day, 2 billion people use Unilever products to look good, feel good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future. Great products from our range of more than brands give us a unique place in the lives of people all over the world. When consumers reach for nutritionally balanced foods or indulgent ice creams, affordable soaps that combat disease, luxurious shampoos or everyday household care products, there’s a good chance the brand they pick is one of ours. Seven out of every ten households around the world contain at least one Unilever product, and our range of world-leading, household-name brands includes Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann’s and Omo. Trusted local brands designed to meet the specific needs of consumers in their home market include Blue Band, Pureit and Suave. Whatever the brand, wherever it is bought, we’re working to ensure that it plays a part in helping fulfil our purpose as a business – making sustainable living commonplace.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:You’ll be responsible for identifying potential whitespace opportunities, collaborating with distributors to execute market entry and launching products in East Africa. You’ll be responsible for brand building activities in East Africa and the end-to-end P&L of various seeding initiatives in UI.Prospecting Leading, mapping, and developing business and seeding opportunities in East Africa through data and insight activation from idea to launchScreening and recommending potential businesses through market analysis, deal requirements, potential and financial analysis.Conducting end-to-end market opportunity assessment with customers Customer Selection and Appointment Conducting comprehensive research and checks to identify suitable business distributors. Establishing and Executing Business Plans Developing and managing business plans internally and externally, to craft end-to-end launch plans to drive route-to-market for new product development (NPD)Establishing networks for new product launches with supply chain team and alignment with Category team on launches Tracking and Monitoring Performance Tracking and managing of key business metrics and KPIs across marketing and trade activitiesConducting reviews on broad spectrum of topics Stakeholder Management Leading and aligning cross functional teams to effectively manage projects.Collaborating with local OpCo for synergies YOU’LL WORK CLOSELY WITH: UI Business Development, Finance, Supply Chain and Marketing teamsExternal distributors KEY REQUIREMENTS: Minimum 8 years’ experience in Customer Development in FMCG industry – preferably in key account management and/or marketingA bachelor’s degree in any disciplineExperience in international trade and capability building.Experience working in cross-functional teams within a matrix environment both F2F and virtually.Be a strategic, highly adaptable, and entrepreneurial person.Embrace a high growth mindset, with strong love for consumers, shoppers and customers.Have strong financial acumen and analytical skills.Have strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills with senior stakeholders.Have experience working and leading in cross-functional teams.