Business Development Manager - Export

Job Summary

• The Business Development Manager – Export is responsible for growing the company's export revenue for woven polypropylene sacks and related products.
• The role identifies and develops new international markets and customers, builds lasting relationships with existing buyers, and works with both factories to deliver quality product on time, at a profit, and in compliance with export regulations.

Duties & Responsibilities
Strategy and Market Development:

• Develop and implement the export business plan, with annual volume, revenue and margin targets.
• Research and identify new markets, particularly in West and Central Africa, other African regions and beyond, for sectors such as cement, fertilizer, grain, sugar, salt, flour, rice, minerals and agro commodities.
• Analyse market trends, competitor pricing, import regulations and demand to inform pricing and product strategy.
• Build the sales pipeline and convert leads into long-term supply agreements.

Customer Management:

• Prospect, negotiate with and onboard new international customers, distributors and agents.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing export customers and ensure high satisfaction and repeat business.
• Prepare quotations, proposals and contracts, and negotiate prices, payment terms and Incoterms.
• Represent the company at trade fairs, exhibitions and customer visits abroad.

Operations and Factory Coordination:

• Coordinate with the production, planning and quality teams at both factories to confirm capacity, lead times and specifications for export orders.
• Allocate export orders between the two factories to optimise capacity, cost and delivery.
• Work with Quality Assurance to meet customer specifications (GSM, dimensions, UV treatment, lamination, printing, tensile strength) and resolve complaints.
• Ensure timely order fulfilment, working with Supply Chain and Logistics on packing, container loading and shipping schedules.

Export Compliance and Finance:

• Ensure compliance with Nigerian export regulations (Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nigeria Customs Service, NEPC and NXP form requirements, CBN repatriation rules) and with destination-country import requirements.
• Oversee export documentation: commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, bills of lading and letters of credit.
• Work with Finance on credit assessment, payment collection, FX management and receivables control.
• Pursue export incentives, trade agreements (such as AfCFTA) and other duty benefits.

Reporting and Leadership:

• Prepare regular sales forecasts, pipeline reports and market intelligence for management.
• Lead, coach and set targets for the export team.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Finance on raw material (polypropylene resin) price movements and their effect on export pricing.

Key Performance Indicators

Measure

Actual vs. annual target (value in USD, tonnes or units)

Number of new markets entered and new customers won

Margin on export orders vs. budget

% of export orders delivered on time and in full

Days sales outstanding and overdue balances

Complaint rate, retention and repeat orders

Zero export documentation or regulatory breaches

Qualifification & Work Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, International Business, Economics, Engineering or a related field; MBA or export/trade qualification is an advantage.
• 7–10 years of B2B sales or business development experience, including 3–5 years in export sales, preferably in packaging, plastics, FMCG, cement, or agro-allied industries.
• Minimum of 3 years in a managerial role.
• Proven record of opening new export markets and meeting revenue targets.
• Sound knowledge of export procedures, Incoterms, trade finance and Nigerian export regulations.
• Knowledge of woven PP sack production (extrusion, weaving, lamination, printing, conversion) is a strong advantage.

Skills & Competences:

• Negotiation and closing skills, with strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; additional languages (e.g. French) are an advantage.
• Strategic thinking and analytical ability.
• Cross-cultural awareness and relationship building.
• Leadership, teamwork and cross-functional collaboration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM and ERP systems.
• Integrity, resilience and willingness to travel frequently.

Work Conditions:

• Office-based with regular visits to both factories and frequent international travel. Occasional work outside normal hours is required to meet time-zone and shipping deadlines.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified. 

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:

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