Business Development Executive - Passenger Vehicle Seats

Role Overview

This is a field-based business development role centred on the supply and installation of passenger seating into commercial passenger vehicles, mainly matatu and other PSV fleets. Rather than working a showroom floor, you will be out in the market tracking which SACCOs, operators, dealers and body builders are acquiring new vehicles or converting existing ones, getting in front of the people who approve the spend, and turning those conversations into confirmed seat supply and installation orders. The role sits at the front of the sales cycle, and it matters because timing and relationships usually decide who is awarded a fleet's seating contract long before a formal tender appears.

Key Responsibilities

• Map the commercial passenger-vehicle market to locate vehicles being purchased, built or converted for passenger transport, and qualify which opportunities are genuinely worth pursuing.
• Open and develop working relationships with matatu SACCOs, fleet owners, vehicle body builders, dealers and commercial passenger transport operators.
• Identify SACCOs and operators preparing to acquire or convert multiple vehicles, and engage them while seating specifications are still open to influence.
• Reach decision-makers directly, understand their seating requirements and recommend suitable seat configurations plus the fitting work that goes with them.
• Generate your own leads, deliver sales presentations, prepare quotations and negotiate pricing, delivery and installation terms through to a closed deal.
• Own each opportunity from the first enquiry through to confirmed order, delivery and completed installation.
• Grow repeat and long-term account business, and keep watching the market for upcoming conversion projects and fleet replacement cycles.
• Meet agreed sales and revenue targets, and keep pipeline and activity reporting current.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Sales, Marketing, Automotive Engineering or a comparable discipline.
• At least three years of proven B2B sales or business development experience, ideally gained within the automotive sector.
• Prior experience selling passenger seats, vehicle interiors, automotive components or accessories is highly desirable.
• Practical understanding of the commercial passenger-vehicle and matatu market, including how these fleets are specified, purchased and converted.
• Existing relationships with matatu SACCOs, fleet operators, body builders or vehicle dealers would be a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to prospect cold, build credibility with decision-makers and close sales.
• Strong negotiation, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Target-driven, proactive and commercially minded, with a valid driving licence.

This is not a showroom sales position. We need someone who will go into the market, find the SACCOs and operators acquiring or converting vehicles, get to the decision-makers and convert those opportunities into passenger-seat supply and installation contracts. If you already carry strong relationships across the matatu, fleet and commercial passenger-vehicle ecosystem, we would like to hear from you.