Business Manager Required – Lusaka Zambia
About our client
Our client is a premier provider of high-quality aluminium and glass architectural systems. As part of their strategic African expansion, they are establishing a footprint in Zambia.
We are recruiting for an entrepreneurial, high-performing leader to build, manage, and scale our clients’ Zambian operations from the ground up.
The Opportunity
This is not a desktop management role We are looking for an independent, highly autonomous business builder.
You will take total ownership of market entry, driving direct corporate sales, establishing local supply chains, and recruiting an agile operational team
You will have the full backing of their South African head office but will operate with a high degree of local mandate
Key Responsibilities
- Market Entry & Positioning: Lead the legal, logistical, and commercial setup of the business in Zambia.
- Business Development: Identify commercial opportunities, build a local pipeline, and close deals to meet monthly revenue targets.
- Operational Excellence: Set up and oversee day-to-day operations spanning project sales, admin, and physical installations.
- Financial Management: Control local cash flow, manage margins, structure profitable deals, and eliminate material waste
- Site & Team Management: Maintain a strong, visible presence on project sites, ensuring strict health, safety, and quality compliance
What We Are Looking For
- The Entrepreneurial Spirit: A self-starter with a proven track record of building a business unit or operation from scratch
- Industry & Technical Capability: Strong practical experience reading and interpreting technical drawings and bespoke architectural specifications Knowledge of aluminium, glass, or structural building systems is highly advantageous.
- Commercial Hunter: A natural closer who can balance aggressive sales growth with tight margin discipline.
- Decisiveness Under Pressure: A leader who resolves operational bottlenecks quickly and adapts seamlessly to fluid, changing startup environments.
- High Accountability: Someone who operates with the UBARAR philosophy (Understand, Buy-in, Action, Report, Account, Recognize)
Key Performance Indicators (What Success Looks Like)
- Establishing a fully operational Zambian entity within agreed timelines.
- Securing active client relationships and generating early sales within the first 60 days.
- Achieving positive gross margins and on-time project delivery with minimal rework.
What We Offer
- The autonomy to run a business operation like it is your own, backed by established international corporate structures.
- Pathways to expand into an International Business Manager level role as our regional footprint grows.
- Competitive, performance-linked remuneration package.
How to Apply
If you have the grit, technical capability, and commercial drive to build a market leader from the ground up, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience in market entry or greenfield business development to Ronel@cedar-wood.co.za
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 7 working day’s