Business manager: Traded

AECI Specialty Chemicals

Business Unit manager – Traded

Job Grade: DU

Location: Chloorkop (Gauteng)

Purpose of the job

To act as the operating arm of management – implementing the company strategies

To ensure sales volume and profitability of the division at national level. Manage a sales team, product managers and related customers for sustainability and growth as per functions

Required Outputs Functions

Commercial Management

- Develop and implement the Business Unit sales and growth strategy

- Deliver agreed sales, gross profit and margin targets.

- Monitor commercial performance and implement corrective actions where required.

- Develop pricing strategies and lead price negotiations with customers and suppliers.

- Identify opportunities to grow existing business and develop new markets with strategic principals.

- Maintain market intelligence and monitor competitor activity.

- Promote new products and technologies within the market.

Business Development

- Identify and develop new business opportunities.

- Expand the customer base and grow existing customer portfolios.

- Evaluate new principals, technologies and product ranges.

- Support new product introductions and assess acquisition opportunities where appropriate .

Sales Leadership

- Lead, coach and develop Product Managers, Technical Manager, Account Managers and Sales Representatives.

- Set objectives and monitor KPIs.

- Conduct sales reviews and joint customer visits.

- Foster a customer-focused, high-performance culture.

- Customer & Principal Management

- Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers and principals.

- Manage strategic customer accounts.

- Conduct customer and principal visits.

- Support technical and commercial presentations for new product introductions.

Product Portfolio Management

- Manage and optimise the Business Unit product portfolio.

- Identify opportunities to expand or improve the product range.

- Support product launches and portfolio reviews.

- Financial & Business Planning

- Prepare annual budgets and monthly forecasts.

- Monitor performance against budget and prior year.

Working Capital Management

- Monitor debtors, inventory and working capital.

- Ensure stock levels remain within targets.

- Improve forecast accuracy and minimise obsolete stock and bad debt.

Cross-functional Collaboration

- Work closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Warehouse, Finance and Customer Service.

- Support successful execution of customer projects and product launches.

Governance & Compliance

- Ensure compliance with Company policies

- Review commercial contracts and liaise with Legal, Risk and Governance teams.

Requirements: Qualifications and Experience

- Technical/Chemical background

- Bachelors degree Chemistry

- At least 10 years of experience in the Commodity Trading industry

- 5-10 Years Sales management experience

- Sales experience within Commodity Trading environments (Personal Care, Homecare, Coatings and Construction Industries)

- Must have sound understanding of pricing structures, Contracts and Cost drivers

Personal Attributes: Competencies (Skills, Knowledge and Characteristics

- Sales management & Data Analysis

- Report Writing

- Presentation Skills

- Negotiation Skills

- People Management

- Planning and organizing

- Integrity

- Leadership orientated

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