Commercial Manager - Logistics and Supply Chain (70691)

Job Description

• 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

• CASA, 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 .