Partnership Manager

Upway; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Upway is growing rapidly in the Netherlands and is seeking an SMB Partnerships Manager to join the B2B team and scale our retailer network across the Netherlands.

Your mission is to win new retail partners, activate them successfully, and drive continued usage of our trade-in solution as a daily sales tool. You will work with independent bike shops and regional chains to become their trusted partner.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years in B2B Sales, Business Development or Purchasing.
• Native Dutch with professional English for reporting.
• Willing to travel 60–80% within your region.

Responsibilities

• Regional Ownership: manage all business relationships end-to-end in a major bicycle region.
• Hunt, Close and Onboard New Retail Partners: identify, prospect, onboard independent shops and regional chains to use Upway’s trade-in tool daily.
• Stock Purchasing: identify and purchase excess stock from partners to expand our product offering.
• Build Long-Term Trust: be an available, reliable stakeholder and negotiate contracts with business owners and mechanics.
• Negotiations: secure favorable purchasing terms through strong negotiation skills.
• Deploy Additional Services: leverage trusted partners to support new services in the trade-in ecosystem.

Skills

B2B Sales

Hunter Mindset

Road Warrior

Analytical Hustle

Negotiation

Passion for bikes

Dutch

English proficiency

Job description

SMB Partnership Manager - Netherlands

Department: Sales

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Rotterdam, Hybrid

Upway is growing rapidly in the Netherlands and we are looking for an SMB Partnerships Manager to join the B2B team and scale our retailer network across the Netherlands. Your mission is central to Upway’s growth: winning new retail partners, activating them successfully, and driving continuous usage of our trade-in solution as a daily sales tool.

You will work closely with independent bike shops and regional chains, becoming their trusted partner for all sourcing topics. You are responsible for turning signed partners into active partners and for securing high-quality e-bikes at the best conditions through trade-ins, demo bikes, and excess stock.

Your missions

• Regional Ownership: Take full responsibility for a major bicycle region in your area, managing all business relationships end-to-end.
• Hunt, Close and Onboard New Retail Partners: Identify, prospect and onboard independent bike shops and regional chains in your territory. Your goal is to turn cold prospects into active partners who use Upway’s trade-in tool daily.
• Stock Purchasing: Identify and purchase excess stock from partners to expand our product offering.
• Build Long-Term Trust: The bike industry is built on relationships. You will need to be an available and reliable stakeholder, and just as comfortable talking technical specs with a mechanic as you are negotiating contracts with a business owner.
• Negotiations: Secure the most favorable purchasing conditions for Upway through effective and strategic negotiations.
• Deploy Additional Services: Leverage your network of existing trusted partners to support the deployment of new services as we turn the trade-in platform into a fully-fledged B2B ecosystem (including pickup, dropoff, maintenance, B2B sales…)

What you will need

• Experience: 2-5 years in B2B Sales, Business Development or Purchasing. Experience in the cycling industry is a plus, but we value "Sales DNA" (FMCG, SaaS, Field Sales) above all else.
• Hunter Mindset: You are not afraid to push open doors. You enjoy the thrill of closing a new deal and don't take "no" for an answer easily.
• Road Warrior: You are energized by being in the field. You are willing to travel 60-80% of the time within your region to strengthen partner relationships.
• Analytical Hustle: You use data to prioritize your targets and optimize your routes.
• Negotiation: Proven track record of securing favorable terms through strong negotiation skills.
• A genuine passion for life on two wheels: Our partners are true enthusiasts, and so are we. Your authentic excitement for bikes will be the key to unlocking conversations, building trust, and establishing yourself as a relevant peer in the industry.
• Languages: Native level in Dutch is a must and professional proficiency in English (for internal reporting).

Main responsability

Your missions

• Regional Ownership: Take full responsibility for a major bicycle region in your area, managing all business relationships end-to-end.
• Hunt, Close and Onboard New Retail Partners: Identify, prospect and onboard independent bike shops and regional chains in your territory. Your goal is to turn cold prospects into active partners who use Upway’s trade-in tool daily.
• Stock Purchasing: Identify and purchase excess stock from partners to expand our product offering.
• Build Long-Term Trust: The bike industry is built on relationships. You will need to be an available and reliable stakeholder, and just as comfortable talking technical specs with a mechanic as you are negotiating contracts with a business owner.
• Negotiations: Secure the most favorable purchasing conditions for Upway through effective and strategic negotiations.
• Deploy Additional Services: Leverage your network of existing trusted partners to support the deployment of new services as we turn the trade-in platform into a fully-fledged B2B ecosystem (including pickup, dropoff, maintenance, B2B sales…)

Skills, knowledge, and expertise

What you will need

• Experience: 2-5 years in B2B Sales, Business Development or Purchasing. Experience in the cycling industry is a plus, but we value "Sales DNA" (FMCG, SaaS, Field Sales) above all else.
• Hunter Mindset: You are not afraid to push open doors. You enjoy the thrill of closing a new deal and don't take "no" for an answer easily.
• Road Warrior: You are energized by being in the field. You are willing to travel 60-80% of the time within your region to strengthen partner relationships.
• Analytical Hustle: You use data to prioritize your targets and optimize your routes.
• Negotiation: Proven track record of securing favorable terms through strong negotiation skills.
• A genuine passion for life on two wheels: Our partners are true enthusiasts, and so are we. Your authentic excitement for bikes will be the key to unlocking conversations, building trust, and establishing yourself as a relevant peer in the industry.
• Languages: Native level in Dutch and professional proficiency in English (for internal reporting).

Benefits

Upway is an-stage startup supported by renowned investment funds such as Sequoia Capital and Global Founders Capital (Rocket Internet). We have an exceptional team of talented employees who thrive in a fast-paced environment and are committed to the mission of making electromobility accessible to all while having a positive impact on the world. At Upway, we believe every employee should share in our growth journey. That’s why we include stock options as part of your compensation package.

Why Join Upway?

• Impact & Ownership: You are directly contributing to the decarbonization of mobility by giving thousands of e-bikes a second life.
• Autonomy: You are the owner of your territory. We give you the tools, but you build the strategy.
• Growth: Join a Series C scale-up backed by top-tier investors (Sequoia, Exor) during our hyper-growth phase in Europe.
• Competitive Package: Attractive salary plus equity participation.