Business Development Manager- SolarPuma Energy

This role will be responsible for managing existing and new key customers / key accounts, driving business-to-business relationships, and working on a fast-paced, effective sales lead to support Puma Energy's solar objectives.

The position will be part of a team focused on selling Pumas solar and hybrid (storage/diesel) energy solutions via PPAs and lease agreements to small and large commercial and utility-scale solar (PV) markets in Africa.

Puma is seeking to fill this role immediately.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities, Key Responsibilities:

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILTIES:

• Manages the customer/prospect solar and hybrid Puma Energy portfolio in the assigned B2B African region
• Gains new business and make necessary contacts by generating interest and translating the latent needs of the B2B customer into sustainable energy solutions to reach the defined sales objectives
• Expands Puma's energy sales network by identifying, pitching, and building relationships with potential partners and/or customers in key African markets through cold-calling, networking, qualifying prospects, and closing sales.
• Deepens and expands relationships and business with existing partners/customers
• Integrate information, resources, and activities within the region and participates in the formulation of the sales PPA, lease, and rent-to-own contract negotiation and contract confirmation.
• Develops specific customer strategies and campaign plans, driving leadership in their execution
• Is accountable for implementing and executing the monthly, quarterly and annual sales strategy
• Works together with the Solar project manager and Future Energies team in developing energy projects
• Preparation of quotations, calculation of the economic modeling, follow-up and advice in the design of the appropriate financial structures
• Provides regular reporting to management, including sales pipeline development, forecasting, key account status, market condition updates, sales results and team earnings
• Efficiently and pro-actively manages relationships providing quotations, shepherding orders through the company process, and providing excellent post-sales service on a timely basis
• Manages daily activities of the operational sales support function.
• Oversees workflow of all sales processing including preparation of reports, charts, and other statistics to support and direct the sales department.
• Travel as required
  
  

SKILLS AND RESQUIREMENTS:

Background & Experience:

• Minimum 3 years in commercial experience in the B2B energy sector, preferably in Solar PV.
• Experience with utilities, EPCs and IPPs is preferable
• Engineering background or equivalent is preferable
• A degree in business administration / sales is a plus
• Strong commercial acumen
• Literacy in financials
  
  

Skills:

• Leading people and strong influencing skills
• Strong negotiation and sales skills
• Financial acumen to manage a P&L
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications; Presentation tools and programs;
• Ability to travel extensively
• Fluent English
• Has an experience/affinity with technical products and project sales
• Good organizer and planner with time management skills, you formalize actions and their follow-up/reporting (CRM, salesforce)
  
  

Competencies:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, organizationally flat environment and under pressure
• Excellent negotiation and analytical skills
• Flexible and stress-resistant, you work well in a continuously changing environment
• Creative, assertive and result-oriented with initiative towards innovative solutions/ideas (entrepreneurial spirit)
• Strong work ethics
• Ability to interact with large external clients and vendors as well as key internal stakeholders
• Work independently
• Be a strong team player, and
• Work on multiple projects concurrently.
  
  
  
  

Key Relationships and Department Overview:

Internal – Global Head of Solar & related staff

External – B2B Customers, Potential Clients / Customers, Service Providers