Job description
Job details:
To proactively develop Solarcentury’s PV business in East Africa providing short and long term EPC revenue and market share growth. This is a new role within Solarcentury and is a fundamental part of the company’s international expansion strategy. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated self-starter with a proven track record in international sales. This position will be based in East Africa, ideally in Kenya. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop Solarcentury’s international business, directly impacting the company’s commercial growth and profitability and strategic direction. This position will require extensive international travel outside of Africa both to Solarcentury HQ in London and also to other East-African countries.
Budgetary Responsibility: responsible for helping to define the annual international sales budget
People Responsibility: none
Technical Responsibility: qualifying opportunities from technical and commercial perspective and finding solutions that utilise existing and local supply chains
Commercial (I) Responsibility: delivering on annual revenue and margin targets
Key activities and responsibilities:
Finding technically and commercially attractive PV opportunities in East Africa and the broader African continent
Developing and qualifying network of installers, and equipment suppliers and supporting negotiations with them
Identifying and qualifying direct or indirect sales commercial customers in target countries and negotiating and closing contracts with them
Identifying development and investor partners
Working closely with and supporting Solarcentury development and investor partners in East Africa
Supporting international marketing events
Identifying new East African markets and developing strategies to enter these markets
Creating commercial and technical proposals for direct customers and investors
Regularly reporting on project pipeline, competition, market developments
Learning, reporting and recording on policy and legislation developments
Understanding country requirements re: local content, tax and other barriers to entry. Finding solutions to overcome these barriers.
Managing travel budget
Negotiating EPC contracts with investor partners
Delivering the annual revenue and margin budget
Extensive international travel
Skills (including Specialist Skills)/ Experience / Attributes
Good understanding of PV technologies and competing technologies.
Fluent in at least two languages (English and French)
Proven track record in high value international sales with ability to sell at exec/board level, ideally in the PV or other renewable markets
Highly self-motivated
Strong initiative and creative thinking
Ability to work individually and as a team
Excellent communication skills
Managing travel and sales budgets
Proven track record of delivering/exceeding revenue and margin targets
Strong networking capability
Existing relationships with international investors, project developers, supply chain
Experience in developing sales projects from scratch
Understanding of PV and competing technologies
Understanding of financial modelling
Willingness to travel extensively abroad
Understanding FiT’s and other legislative support policies
