About the position
A leading organisation within the logistics and supply chain sector, based in Durban, is seeking an experienced, commercially astute and strategically minded Commercial Manager to join their team
This is a key commercial leadership role suited to a professional with a strong background in commercial finance, pricing, costing, profitability analysis and business partnering, who can translate financial and operational information into meaningful commercial insights and drive improved business performance
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide strategic commercial support and insight to Finance, Customer and Operations teams.
- Participate in the formulation and implementation of commercial strategy and ensure agreed strategic targets are achieved.
- Lead customer and principal pricing activities, including annual pricing negotiations and formula-based adjustments.
- Review and manage customer and principal contracts, including renewals, pricing and commercial terms.
- Monitor customer and principal profitability and identify opportunities to improve margins and efficiencies.
- Drive and develop activity-based costing models to improve costing accuracy and profitability analysis.
- Compile and review budgets, forecasts, revenue analysis and monthly commercial performance reports.
- Provide insight into key cost drivers and their impact on profitability.
- Lead the commercial planning and response to new business proposals and tenders.
- Conduct new project appraisals and feasibility assessments, ensuring opportunities are accurately costed and commercially viable.
- Identify opportunities for margin improvement, cost optimisation and improved cost-to-serve.
- Provide commercial input into new investment and Capex opportunities.
- Prepare and present commercial reports, business cases, profitability analyses and strategic recommendations to senior management and the Board.
- Provide commercial expertise and recommendations in response to changing business conditions and market opportunities.
- Build strong relationships with customers, principals, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Lead, coach and develop the commercial team, creating a high-performance culture.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- CA(SA), CIMA (Strategic Level) or equivalent postgraduate Finance/Commercial qualification.
- MBA would be advantageous.
- 8-10 years' experience in commercial finance, pricing, costing, business partnering or management accounting.
- At least 3 years' experience leading teams.
- Experience within a logistics, supply chain, FMCG or related commercial environment.
- Strong knowledge of commercial and management accounting principles.
- Proven experience in pricing, costing, profitability analysis and financial modelling.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
- Excellent Excel and MS Office skills.
- SAP experience would be advantageous.
- Strong negotiation, communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be a commercially driven and analytical leader with the ability to challenge assumptions, identify opportunities and influence key business decisions.
You will have a strong understanding of the relationship between pricing, costs, operational performance and profitability, together with the confidence to engage with senior management, customers and cross-functional teams.
This is an opportunity for an experienced commercial professional to play a significant role in driving profitability, commercial performance and sustainable business growth.
Desired Skills:
- Commercial Manager
- Logistics
- Supply Chain
