Business Development Manager

Location: Breda, Full-time (40 hours)

Ever thought about making a big difference in the world of renewable energy? At Spark, we believe strong partnerships are as essential as innovative products. We're a social enterprise based in the Netherlands, committed to expanding solar energy access across Africa.

We design and deliver solar home systems through a network of distribution partners across Sub-Saharan Africa. This partner base is the backbone of Spark's commercial success and market presence, and maintaining its strength is critical. At the same time, Spark is looking to grow beyond the traditional PayGo model by building new types of partnerships with cooperatives, microfinance institutions, or non-traditional sales channels.

We're hiring a Business Development Manager (Francophone Africa) to join our team in the Netherlands. You'll take ownership of some of Spark's most important distribution partners while also scouting and securing new business opportunities across French-speaking Africa. Your focus will be on driving sales, building strong partnerships, and accelerating revenue growth. This is a high-ownership sales role where your success will directly shape Spark's commercial development. We're looking for someone who is proactive, takes responsibility, and sets high standards for themselves, someone who thrives in a fast-moving environment and is motivated by both results and impact.

What you will be doing

1. Growing Partnerships & Driving Revenue

• Manage and grow Spark's existing distribution partners, ensuring consistent repeat orders, account expansion, and long-term loyalty.
• Pursue new opportunities, identify, pitch, and onboard new partners, both within the distribution partner network and beyond (e.g. cooperatives, MFIs, NGOs, or other non-traditional sales channels).
• Convince new partners to pilot Spark products and scale them into regular portfolio offerings.
• Own your revenue targets, drive pipeline development, partner negotiations, and deal closures that directly impact Spark's growth.

2. Deal Execution & Coordination

• Manage the full sales cycle, from pilot stage to long-term account growth.
• Coordinate with Spark's Operations and Finance teams to ensure timely delivery, invoicing, and payment follow-up.
• Support partners in navigating Spark's commercial solutions, from product to financing, to help them scale effectively.
• Track and report progress through Spark's CRM system, giving internal teams full visibility on revenue and pipeline status.

3. Market Development

• Actively monitor Francophone African markets to identify opportunities and mitigate challenges.
• Gather and share market intelligence on distribution models, competitor activities, and local dynamics.
• Represent Spark at industry events, building credibility and visibility among stakeholders.

4. Onboarding & First 90 Days

• In your first month, meet key Spark colleagues and partners to understand our products, financial structures, and distribution models.
• By month three, take ownership of existing accounts, identify quick wins, and generate new business leads.
• Build momentum towards exceeding your revenue targets while strengthening partner trust.

You'll report to

Business Development Lead, while collaborating closely with the Commercial Director, fellow BD Managers, and cross-functional colleagues in Finance, Operations, and Spark Invest.

What you'll bring

Experience & Knowledge

• 5–7 years of success in B2B sales, business development, or account management, with a strong track record of owning and growing revenue.
• Experience in the energy sector or related distribution-driven industries (consumer electronics, FMCG, or telco).
• Solid understanding of Sub-Saharan Africa's commercial landscape, particularly in Francophone markets.
• Exposure to Sub-Saharan Africa or other emerging markets, with proven ability to navigate diverse commercial contexts.

Skills & Capabilities

• Consistent ability to meet or exceed ambitious revenue targets.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, adaptable across cultures and stakeholders.
• Skilled at managing complex partnerships and coordinating across internal teams.
• Fluent in French (mandatory) and English (required); additional African languages are a plus.

Mindset & Approach

• Proactive and self-starting: You create opportunities rather than wait for them.
• Strong sense of ownership: You take responsibility and follow through until results are achieved.
• High personal standards: You aim for excellence in both commercial outcomes and partner relationships.
• Resilient, structured, and comfortable working in fast-moving, evolving environments.

Don't meet every requirement? That's okay – we encourage you to apply if you believe you'd be a great fit for this role and can help us achieve our mission. At Spark, we're proud to bring together more than 15 nationalities and embrace diverse perspectives, creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong.

What you'll get

• A salary aligned to your experience (€4.000 to €5.000 gross per month) plus 8% vacation pay.
• Performance-based bonus, tied to meeting revenue targets.
• €500 annually for professional development.
• Full commute covered with an NS Business Card (2nd class) from your nearest train station to our Breda office.
• Fresh lunches, snacks, and monthly drinks at our Breda office.
• A multicultural team across the Netherlands, Africa, and China — 15 nationalities and counting.
• The opportunity to work with high ownership and autonomy — shaping partnerships that directly expand Spark's commercial presence and deliver energy access in underserved markets.

The recruitment process

• First conversation with Jean Baptiste (Business Development Manager) and Amber (Strategy Lead) to dive deeper into your skills/experience and the cultural match.
• An assignment to get better insights in your way of working, and for you to get better insights of what to expect of the job.
• Second interview with Micky (Business Development Lead) and Shagun (Commercial Director).

If we both feel good, you're in.

About Spark

Spark is building the ecosystem for tomorrow's energy networks, and that's an exciting challenge. There's always more to do. We're expanding into new countries, adding distribution partners, and designing Spark Kits tailored for every market.

Emerging markets are where off-grid technology can have the most impact. That's why we keep innovating: from new solar product solutions to a software platform that enables affordable, pay-over-time access for households at the base of the pyramid.

Our ambitions are serious because we're here to make a lasting impact, powering opportunity across Africa.