Business Lead (Entity Setup) – Kampala, Uganda
Job Description
Job Summary
The Business Lead – Entity Setup will be responsible for the strategic setup and operational leadership of a new business entity in Uganda. Crucially, this role acts as the primary strategic bridge between the Dutch Mother Company (BV) and the Ugandan subsidiary. The Business Lead will be responsible for transposing Dutch corporate standards into the Ugandan context, leveraging an international network to secure technology transfer, and ensuring the entity reaches financial profitability within four years.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Business Entity Setup & Strategic Leadership
- Lead the legal and operational establishment of the Ugandan entity, ensuring 100% alignment with the Netherlands-based mother company’s financial reporting and corporate governance standards.
- Develop a 4-year business plan that synchronizes local market realities with the Dutch BV’s global strategic roadmap.
- Define and track company Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), ensuring the business reaches break-even and profitability within the established timeframe.
- Product Development & Global Sourcing
- Lead agricultural product development and market introduction strategies for irrigation and energy solutions.
- Manage international procurement, with a specific focus on establishing reliable supply chains from China and Europe.
- Oversee branding efforts to position the company as a premium provider of European-standard high-quality, tech-driven farming solutions.
- Business Development & Fundraising
- Serve as the primary conduit for knowledge transfer between the Netherlands and Uganda, ensuring that Resilience BV expert knowledge on climate-smart agriculture is successfully localized.
- Dutch / International Network Integration: Leverage an existing professional network within the Netherlands and beyond (including AgTech providers, investors, and research institutions) to support the Ugandan subsidiary’s growth.
- Represent the entity at senior levels with international donors, government bodies, and private sector stakeholders.
- Operations & Team Management
- Build and lead a lean team, instilling a corporate culture that meets international quality and efficiency benchmarks.
- Implement reporting systems that provide real-time transparency to Senior Management in the Netherlands.
Educational Qualifications, Experience, & Skills Required
- Regional Expertise: Deep understanding of the East African and Ugandan smallholder and commercial agricultural and energy sectors, including knowledge of local crop cycles, irrigation needs, local financing models and the renewable energy regulatory environment.
- Experience: At least 10 years of professional experience, including significant time spent in Dutch/European corporate environments and the East African, preferably Ugandan, private sector. Strong understanding of Dutch corporate governance, reporting standards, and decision-making culture. Experience engaging with Dutch/European financial institutions, impact investors, or export credit / trade support mechanisms.
- Education: Advanced degree in Business Administration, Agribusiness, or Engineering from a globally recognized institution.
- Sourcing: Demonstrated experience in international sourcing and managing complex global supply chains. Experience negotiating with Technology suppliers, Distributors, Financial partners and Development partners and donors.
- Cross-Cultural Proficiency: Ability to translate Dutch business methodologies and strategic direction from HQ into effective operational strategies for the Ugandan context.
- Sector-Specific Knowledge: Strong technical grasp of Solar Powered Irrigation (SPIS), smart farming tools, and the challenges of energy access in rural Uganda.
- Communication: Exceptional ability to work with Senior Management in the Netherlands in their native business context while remaining hands-on with local field staff.
- Comfortable working with Dutch directness, planning discipline, and documentation standards.
- Commitment: Willingness to commit to a 4-year tenure to see the business through its establishment phase.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- BV Alignment: Successful synchronization of Ugandan operations with Dutch BV corporate standards.
- Market Penetration: Successful introduction of energy and irrigation products into the Ugandan agricultural market.
- Profitability: Achieving financial break-even within 4 years.
- Network Value: Demonstrated success in leveraging Dutch connections to benefit the Ugandan subsidiary.
Application Procedure
We are recruiting on a rolling basis and encourage early applications. Please send your CV and a comprehensive motivation letter detailing your proven track record in business establishment and agricultural product introduction to: [email protected].
