Understanding the job ad: Business Development Manager

Eja-Ice is a solar-powered refrigeration and cold chain company focused on mitigating food loss and waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and sustaining business profits while ensuring food safety and nutrition. They are looking for a Business Development Manager in Lagos, Nigeria to help expand their clientele. Let’s break down what this role entails and what you need to consider before applying.

First things first

Understand the company and the industry they are in. Before analysing the job responsibilities, ensure you fully understand Eja-Ice and the industry it operates in. Ask yourself: What does Eja-Ice do, and who are their clients? How do they operate? Once you have a clear understanding of the company’s mission and business model, move on to evaluating the role itself.

This position requires 3-5 years of experience in a similar role. You’re not just filling a position, you’re being brought in as an expert. You need to ask yourself: 

• Can you handle the responsibilities outlined in the job description?

• Have you previously developed a growth strategy for a company?

• Are you able to conduct market research and analyse competitors effectively? 

• Do you have experience in client relationship management and sales contract development?

If you are nodding along, great! If not, ask yourself if you’re ready to learn fast.

Breaking down the role….

• The role requires the ability to develop a growth strategy. This involves identifying market opportunities, improving client outreach, and scaling business operations. Have you done this before? If not, are you confident in your ability to learn? 

• Market research and competitive analysis are also key. You need to help the company understand its market, competitors, and areas for improvement. Are you skilled in gathering and utilising client feedback to refine strategies? I hope your answer is yes!

• Client relationship management is non-negotiable. Building and maintaining strong client relationships is your first step to success as a business development manager. Happy clients not only stay loyal but also refer others to you. 

• You will also be expected to develop sales contracts. As a manager in this role, one of the main expectations is to develop, negotiate, and manage sales contracts. This is where your previous experience comes in. But if you do not have any experience, be prepared to learn. Even with previous experience, different companies have different ways of doing things, so you will still need to learn and adapt to Eja-Ice.

• Mentorship is another critical aspect. As our recruiter advises, in a sales role, you’ll be expected to hire and possibly mentor a team at some point. Are you comfortable leading and guiding others? If you are uncomfortable stepping in as a mentor, this role might not be very convenient for you. 

• You also need to stay up to date with industry trends. You will be working with solar-powered fridges. What new invention is out there? Keeping yourself informed will keep you relevant.

This role is more than just sales, it’s about leadership, strategy, and business growth. If your skills and experience match the requirements, you could be an excellent fit for this role.If not, consider whether you can develop the necessary expertise before applying. Independence and good communication skills are also great to have. Can you work without constant supervision? Are your communication skills strong enough to engage clients, collaborate with colleagues, and represent the company effectively? If the answer is yes, you might just be the perfect fit.

Guide to job posting in the mobility sector

Are you interested in sustainability and want to put the skills you’ve learned into practice? Below are some job listings for you to explore. All the best.

• Ethiopia | Dodai | Repair and maintenance manager 

• Advanced mobility Africa | Mobility Trainers

• Egypt, Al Jizah | Shift EV | Retrofitting Operations Lead

• Egypt, Al Jizah | Shift EV | Senior Cost Accountant

• Ghana, Accra | M-KOPA | Telesales Manager

• Ghana, Accra | M-KOPA | Customer Retention Manager

• South Africa, Johannesburg | M-KOPA | Legal and Compliance Counsel

• Uganda, Budaka | M-KOPA | Sales Representative

• Uganda, Kampala | M-KOPA | Fraud Manager - Mobile Devices

• Multiple Locations (Lagos, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Accra) | M-KOPA | Digital Campaign Manager - Collections

• Multiple Locations (Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Cape Town, Pretoria) | M-KOPA | Senior Android Engineer

• Multiple Locations (Nairobi, Johannesburg) | M-KOPA | HR Leader

• Ampersand | Charging Station Network Team Leader