Business Development Manager

As a Business Development Manager for the Lely Owned Lely Centers (LOLCs), you play an important role in shaping the future of our distribution network. You help our centers grow sustainably, operate more efficiently, and remain aligned with Lely’s long-term strategy. By combining strategic insight with hands-on project and change management skills, you support management teams in tackling complex challenges and unlocking their full potential.

You will make a direct impact by identifying opportunities, driving improvement initiatives, and guiding centers through moments of transformation. If you enjoy working closely with local teams, building structure, and delivering tangible results, then this role is made for you.

Your main responsibilities include:

• Leading operational excellence initiatives in logistics, inventory management, IT systems, and core business processes.
• Developing 5-year strategic roadmaps that align local ambitions with Lely’s Distribution Channel Development strategy.
• Preparing and executing mergers, acquisitions, and divestments, including due diligence, integration, and post-deal transformation.
• Advising LOLC leadership through data-driven insights, performance analyses, and ROI-based improvement plans.
• Coordinating area development initiatives such as territory optimization or center restructuring.
• Providing temporary operational management support when needed to ensure business continuity.

You are a strategic thinker who thrives in a dynamic and international setting. With your strong analytical capabilities and structured approach, you translate complex challenges into actionable, high-impact solutions. You enjoy engaging with stakeholders at multiple levels and feel comfortable diving into both strategic discussions and operational detail.

You bring:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• 5–10 years of experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects in an international or commercial environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in M&A, strategic planning, and business process improvement.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and financial management skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage stakeholders effectively.
• Knowledge of Lean methodologies and experience with operational excellence projects.
• PMP, IPMA, PRINCE2, or Agile certification (preferred).
• Willingness to travel within the Lely Center network and the flexibility to take on interim management roles when required.

What we offer you:

• An international working environment with opportunities for own initiative and entrepreneurship.
• Excellent working conditions, including up to 8 weeks of vacation per year and a good pension scheme.
• Good growth opportunities: you are in control of your development and can choose from various training courses through our Lely Academy - from personal development to job-specific training.
• Our modern Lely Campus offers daily access to extensive sports facilities: an indoor gym, outdoor padel courts, an outdoor basketball and volleyball court, table tennis and table soccer. You can join Hyrox workouts or sign up for personal training - and challenge your colleagues during an active break.
• Enjoy fresh coffee and tea from our own barista, with milk straight from our farm, as well as a healthy and affordable company restaurant.
• A healthy work-life balance thanks to our hybrid work policy: you work at least three days a week on Campus, with flexible working hours and plenty of room to spend extra time on site (between 06:00 and 20:00).
• A free shuttle bus will take you to and from the metro in Maassluis, so your workday starts and ends smoothly.
• Successes need to be celebrated: from anniversaries to Christmas parties - at Lely we know how to do it!

We are also proud that our efforts and vision have been rewarded by winning the Rotterdam Entrepreneur Award 2025!

About Lely

At Lely, we believe in a sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable future for farming. Our mission is to make farmers’ work easier while ensuring animal welfare and improved productivity.

Lely is an international family-owned business that operates through a strong international structure. From our headquarters in Maassluis, the Netherlands, we collaborate with more than 200 Lely Centers around the world. These Lely Centers are Lely's route to the market. Some are independently run franchise partners, others are fully owned by Lely. Lely-owned Centers embody our long-term commitment to each region, serving as centers of excellence in key markets, entry points in emerging regions, or temporary hubs focused on preparing for future independent operation, all reflecting our belief in scalable, high-quality operations in-house.