Business Development & Partner Operations Manager

Haanta

Sales

Business Development & Partner Operations Manager

About Haanta

Haanta is a curated e-commerce platform connecting North American consumers with ethically sourced African fashion, apparel, accessories, hair care, home décor, and beauty products. We empower African designers and artisans while meeting the growing demand for unique, sustainable, and culturally rich goods. Our tagline is "Curated Africa: Style. Story. Soul." We are passionate about celebrating African creativity and craftsmanship, offering a global platform for exceptional African designers and artisans.

About the Role

As our Business Development & Partner Operations Manager in Lagos, you'll play a critical role at Haanta. This position is a dynamic blend of expanding our marketplace by onboarding new, inspiring African designers and artisans, and ensuring their products seamlessly reach our North American customers. You'll be the bridge between growth and operational excellence, driving our mission to celebrate African creativity while ensuring a smooth, efficient customer experience from discovery to delivery. This role is crucial for our continued expansion and our commitment to supporting our partners.

What You'll Do

I. Business Development & Partner Acquisition (50%): Strategize and execute business development initiatives to identify, source, and onboard new, high-quality African designers and artisans who align with Haanta's brand ethos and market demand.

• Lead the full sales cycle, from initial outreach and compelling pitches to negotiation and signing new partnership agreements, with a clear focus on revenue generation and expanding our product catalog.
• Conduct in-depth market research to spot emerging trends, identify potential gaps in our product offerings, and uncover new opportunities for partnership expansion.
• Set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for partner acquisition, tracking success and optimizing strategies to meet ambitious growth targets.
• Represent Haanta at industry events, trade shows, and networking opportunities to cultivate new business relationships and enhance our presence within the African design community.

II. Partner Relationship Management & Operational Excellence (40%): Act as the primary point of contact and strategic partner for our existing network of designers and artisans, nurturing strong relationships and maximizing their success on the Haanta platform.

• Collaborate closely with partners to ensure their products are accurately represented, priced competitively, and meet Haanta's stringent quality and ethical standards.
• Design, implement, and continuously optimize streamlined processes for partner onboarding, product listing, inventory management, and, crucially, order fulfillment.
• Monitor and manage the end-to-end order fulfillment pipeline from our partners, encompassing order confirmation, meticulous packaging, efficient shipping, and timely delivery tracking, ensuring adherence to agreed-upon service level agreements (SLAs).
• Proactively identify and resolve any operational bottlenecks or issues that might impact partner performance or customer fulfillment, working collaboratively with both internal teams and external partners.
• Provide ongoing training and support to partners on Haanta's operational procedures and platform best practices to enhance efficiency and reduce fulfillment errors.
• Analyze fulfillment data and partner performance metrics to pinpoint areas for improvement and implement solutions that boost efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Ensure partners comply with all relevant international shipping regulations, customs requirements, and Haanta's ethical sourcing guidelines.

III. Strategic Contribution & Team Collaboration (10%) Contribute to Haanta's overall strategic planning, offering valuable insights from market opportunities, partner performance, and fulfillment capabilities.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with our marketing, merchandising, customer service, and technology teams to ensure a cohesive and high-quality experience for both our partners and our customers.
Provide regular reports on business development progress, partner performance, and fulfillment metrics to senior leadership.

Who You AreTo excel in this role, you'll bring a blend of strategic thinking, operational savvy, and a passion for our mission:

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, International Business, or a related field is required.
A Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., MBA, Supply Chain) is preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in business development, account management, or a similar commercial role within an e-commerce or retail environment, with a demonstrable track record of driving revenue growth and managing operational processes.
• At least 3 years of direct experience in managing supplier relationships or overseeing aspects of supply chain and logistics/fulfillment is essential.
• Proven experience in a leadership or management capacity.
• Experience working with fashion brands, particularly from Africa, is a significant advantage.
• Experience in a startup or high-growth environment is a plus.
Experience working in or with eCommerce businesses or other businesses operating out of Lagos, Nigeria, is highly desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional business development and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to close deals and cultivate profitable partnerships.
• Strong operational acumen and a deep understanding of e-commerce fulfillment processes, including international shipping and customs regulations pertinent to Nigeria.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Highly analytical with the ability to use data to drive decisions, identify trends, and optimize performance across both business development and operations.
• Proactive problem-solver with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to operational excellence.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in CRM systems, supply chain management software, and e-commerce platforms.
• Strong understanding of the local business landscape in Lagos and Nigeria.
Cultural sensitivity and a genuine passion for Haanta's mission of empowering African designers and artisans.

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