Role Overview:

The Commercial Manager shall spearhead the commercial operations of the company, including leadership of the sales and marketing functions, business development initiatives and execution of the commercial strategy. The role aims to drive revenue growth, expand market share and maximise profitability in alignment with the company’s strategic objectives.

KEY RESULT AREAS  

1. Strategic Leadership & Commercial Direction

• Develop, implement and monitor company’s commercial strategy in alignment with business objectives.
• Conduct market and competitive analyses to identify growth opportunities, product diversification and new revenue streams.
• Lead the preparation of annual business plans and budgets for sales, marketing and business development functions.
• Provide clear guidance, direction and support to the commercial team to achieve performance targets and professional growth.
• Lead by example with a results-driven approach, delivering strong commercial advice and acting as a trusted partner to the management team.
• Drive performance priorities and initiate business improvements to optimise outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across the company to enable delivery of superior performance.

2. Sales, Marketing & Business Development

• Oversee the design and execution of marketing campaigns to promote the company’s cassava meal, starch and stock feed in local and regional markets.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key clients, distributors and strategic partners.
• Set and monitor sales targets, ensuring achievement through effective team management.
• Ensure competitive and sustainable pricing strategies based on market analysis and cost considerations.
• Identify and develop export opportunities in regional markets.
• Lead negotiations to secure high-value contracts and long-term supply agreements.
• Attend networking events, trade fairs and exhibitions to promote the company and expand market presence.
• Negotiate contract terms with new clients and support closure of sales leads.

3. Financial & Commercial Operations

• Monitor commercial performance metrics, analyse trends and provide actionable reports to management.
• Collaborate with Finance to forecast revenue, track sales performance against budget and ensure profitability targets are met.
• Deliver profitability analysis at product level to inform commercial decisions.
• Manage budgets, expenses, pricing structures and commercial arrangements to ensure cost efficiency.
• Advise on pricing for commercial contracts and ensure financial viability of agreements.
• Identify opportunity costs and implement efficiency measures within authority levels.

4. Performance Management & Reporting

• Own the commercial performance management framework, tracking KPIs including demand, availability gaps, price achievement, profitability and working capital.
• Deliver annual budgets, business plans and monthly forecasts.
• Work proactively across business units to implement corrective actions where required.

5. Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Maintain strong relationships with government agencies, regulatory bodies, industry associations and trade partners.
• Represent the company at relevant industry forums, promoting it’s brand and market position.
• Partner with internal stakeholders across sales, procurement, production and marketing to drive commercial performance.

6. Business Improvement & Compliance

• Lead value improvement initiatives across functional units to optimise productivity and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, delegated authority limits and business rules.
• Oversee systems and processes to ensure accurate, timely and reliable data for decision-making.
• Develop financial and operational forecasts to support short and long term business objectives.
• Analyse business performance in terms of profitability, revenue, pricing and cost of goods sold, recommending strategic improvements.

7. Other Duties

• Prepare financial and commercial models to assess future profitability of identified opportunities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to maintain operational excellence.
• Undertake any additional duties as assigned from time to time.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Grade 12 certificate with five (5) O-levels minimum
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, Commerce, Finance, Accounting, or related discipline
• Professional membership with relevant industry body
• Minimum eight (8) years of experience in comparable role, preferably within agribusiness or food processing sectors
• Demonstrated experience managing fast-moving consumer goods within agribusiness or food industry sectors
• Working knowledge of consumer behavior patterns in Zambian urban markets.

Competencies and Skills

Technical Competencies

• Strategic sales and marketing planning.
• Business development and client relationship management.
• Financial acumen and commercial analysis.
• Knowledge of agribusiness value chains and regional trade dynamics.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent negotiation, persuasion and networking abilities.
• Results-oriented with a proven record of meeting or exceeding targets.
• High integrity and ethical business conduct.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Application Process:

Qualified candidates who are eager to contribute to the success of Chitambo Agro Processing Limited and are willing to be based in Chitambo District, Central Province, should submit their application.

All applications are online by clicking or typing in the web browser and completing the online form below:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/91Tmexuutp

The deadline for receiving applications shall be 24^th August 2025.

Chitambo Agro Processing Limited is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer