Head of West Africa (Agri)

Job Title: Head of West Africa (Operations and Procurement)
Salary: Negotiable
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Lagos, Nigeria, Africa
Exclusive Vacancy

Imperium Commodity Search is working with an international soft commodity and agricultural trading house looking to hire a Head of Nigeria/Benin to manage the operations, procurement and management of their facilities in Nigeria, Benin and the Ivory Coast.  Our client is active across Sesame, Soybean, Dried Ginger and Raw Cashew nuts in Africa, trading these into end-users and processors globally.

Benefits:

• Growing trading/sales team across London, Singapore and Dubai
• Strong existing team on physical assets/operations in Africa
• Good network on the ground with farmers, producers and coops
• Fast growth company
• Strong sales/trading team growing destinations/export markets from global offices

Responsibilities:

• Ensure the sustainable growth of the agri trading business for the West African region (Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast/Côte d’Ivoire)
• Develop and implement sourcing/procurement and trading strategy across the companies product mix (existing and new): Soybean, Raw Cashew Nuts, Sesame, Dry Ginger, Cocoa, Coffee, Rice, Cocoa Butter, Cottonseed etc.)
• Manage and grow the trading pipeline in allocated markets across the target product mix
• Compile supply and demand (SnD) analysis and look at price trends, market analysis and movements to ensure competitive procurement and supply chain strategy
• Work with internal and external finance teams on the preparation and execution of trade finance packages for clients and customers in the soft commodity/agri space
• Liaise with governments in Western Africa on licensing, quarantines, customs and relationships etc.
• Perform trade, execution data analysis including broker due diligence, execution measurement, performance tracking and accountability
• Create and implement trading/supply chain processes and procedures to ensure best practice across documentation and operations
• Train junior team members and ensure day to day staffing/headcount operations are sufficient for the product turnover
• Manage relationships with external shipping agencies, charterers, logistics firms and processors across agro products
• Ensure the continued growth of the facilities and trading desk across West Africa (WAF)
• Manage and monitor compliance of the facilities in Nigeria, Benin and Western African markets

Experience:

• 10+ years experience in a similar/like role, managing the operations, procurement and day to day management of a soft commodity/agricultural processing/sourcing facility in Western Africa
• Excellent knowledge of regulations, documentation and shipping in the West African markets
• Good relationships across all trading counterparties including farmers, suppliers, producers, shipping merchants, trade finance and documentation
• Good understanding of supply and demand, cost impactors, price pressures and procurement strategy across soft commodities
• Experience dealing with government/national counterparties on the ground in Africa
• Good understanding of the relevant soft/agri commodities (Soybean, Ginger, Sesame, cashew, Cocoa, Coffee etc.)
• Based in Nigeria or Western Africa/Ability to travel
• People management experience in a similar company/model

If you meet the above criteria, please send your CV/Cover Letter to Mark Taylor at mark@imperiumcs.com or use the apply button