Senior Business Development Manager

Position

The Senior Business Development Manager is responsible for driving Kendo's strategic growth and market expansion across Africa and new distributor markets. This role involves identifying and securing new business opportunities, fostering robust distributor partnerships, and leading initiatives to maximize revenue, market share, and brand presence. He/she will leverage a deep understanding of market dynamics and business development strategies to negotiate key agreements, orchestrate successful new market entries, and ensure distributor activities align with Kendo’s global objectives. This position requires a visionary leader with a strong commercial acumen and proven track record in driving significant business growth through strategic partnerships.

Reporting to: Senior Director, Brand and Marketing MEATR
Location: Dubai, UAE

Job responsibilities

Strategic Business Development & Market Expansion

• Develop and execute comprehensive business development strategies for Africa and new distributor markets, aligning with Kendo's growth objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and secure new strategic distributor partnerships; lead new market entry from due diligence to launch and ongoing performance management.
• Conduct in-depth market, trend, and competitive analyses to pinpoint lucrative opportunities and inform strategic decisions within the distributor framework.
• Translate opportunities into actionable plans for distributors, providing senior guidance and support.
• Present compelling business cases for market expansion and new initiatives to senior leadership.

Distributor Relationship Management & Performance Optimization

• Cultivate high-level, strategic relationships with distributor partners, serving as the primary contact for business development.
• Lead complex contract negotiations to ensure mutually beneficial terms and long-term partnership sustainability.
• Collaborate with distributors to establish ambitious sales targets, market share goals, and growth KPIs.
• Provide strategic oversight on distributors' marketing, sales, and operational strategies for optimal brand performance.
• Proactively assess distributor performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
• Champion Kendo’s brand vision and product pipeline to distributor leadership, driving commitment and execution.

Financial Planning & P&L Oversight

• Assume full P&L ownership for Africa and new markets, driving profitable growth, optimizing investments, and ensuring financial efficiency.
• Develop and manage the annual business development budget, strategically allocating resources across new markets and partner development.
• Monitor and analyze financial performance (forecasts, margins, costs) to identify revenue acceleration and cost optimization opportunities.
• Partner with Finance and senior leadership to create accurate financial reports and strategic forecasts.
• Ensure rigorous budget discipline, tracking expenses and validating measurable commercial impact.
  
  
  

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Drive short and long-term business development strategies across African and new markets, collaborating with internal cross-functional teams (e.g., Brand, Marketing, Supply Chain) for seamless execution.
• Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders to align business development efforts with global brand strategy.
• Represent Kendo in high-level discussions and negotiations with external partners and industry experts.

Reporting, Analysis & Insights

• Provide strategic reporting and analysis on market performance, new business opportunities, and distributor effectiveness to senior leadership.
• Identify emerging beauty market opportunities and formulate data-driven action plans for significant growth.
• Monitor and analyze market trends, competitor activities, and consumer insights, translating them into actionable business development strategies.
• Lead comprehensive business reviews with distributors and internal teams, presenting key findings and strategic recommendations.

Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in business development, brand management, or strategic partnerships, with a strong emphasis on the distributor model within the beauty or luxury goods industry.
• Proven track record of successfully identifying, negotiating, and launching new business opportunities and market entries, particularly in Africa and emerging markets
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex P&L statements and driving profitable growth in international markets.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build strong relationships at all levels.
• Strong analytical capabilities, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business strategies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM systems.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple high-priority projects, and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic international environment.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive and results-oriented approach to business growth.