About this role
A leading supply chain and logistics organization is seeking an experienced Senior Director, Commercial SSA to drive strategic growth, strengthen customer relationships, and lead commercial performance across Sub-Saharan Africa.
This executive leadership role is ideal for a commercially focused professional with proven experience in business leadership, revenue growth, customer retention, and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping regional strategy, optimizing commercial operations, and delivering long-term value across multiple markets.
Job Overview
Position: Senior Director, Commercial SSA
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Sales, Business Development & Commercial Leadership
Position Purpose
The Senior Director, Commercial SSA is responsible for developing and executing the regional commercial strategy to achieve sustainable growth, improve profitability, and enhance market competitiveness across Sub-Saharan Africa.
This role provides strategic direction across sales, customer engagement, commercial operations, and business transformation initiatives while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and long-term growth plans.
The successful candidate will work closely with customers, executive leadership teams, and cross-functional departments to drive commercial excellence and strengthen the organization's market position.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Strategy and Business Growth
Develop and execute regional commercial strategies that support sustainable business growth.
Identify new market opportunities and expansion initiatives.
Drive revenue growth while maintaining profitability objectives.
Support long-term strategic planning and business development activities.
Monitor market trends and emerging opportunities to strengthen competitive positioning.
Customer Relationship Management
Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders.
Lead commercial negotiations, contract renewals, and tender processes.
Develop customer-focused solutions that enhance satisfaction and loyalty.
Strengthen strategic partnerships to support long-term business success.
Promote a customer-centric culture throughout the organization.
Sales Performance and Commercial Operations
Oversee sales pipeline management and account development activities.
Optimize customer acquisition, retention, and revenue growth strategies.
Ensure effective use of CRM systems and commercial tools.
Monitor sales performance metrics and drive continuous improvement.
Allocate resources effectively to maximize commercial outcomes.
Market Analysis and Business Intelligence
Conduct market research and competitor analysis.
Generate actionable insights to support strategic decision-making.
Utilize data-driven approaches to improve commercial performance.
Identify opportunities for innovation, digital transformation, and operational improvements.
Support business expansion initiatives through informed planning.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Collaborate closely with:
Sales teams
Marketing departments
Supply chain operations
Finance teams
Transformation and change management functions
Ensure seamless execution of commercial initiatives across departments.
Align business priorities and strategic objectives throughout the organization.
Financial and Commercial Management
Manage commercial performance against financial targets.
Support pricing strategies, portfolio management, and profitability improvements.
Ensure adherence to budgetary controls and governance requirements.
Monitor asset productivity and commercial performance indicators.
Contribute to sustainable financial growth and operational efficiency.
Leadership and Team Development
Lead, coach, and develop a geographically distributed commercial team.
Establish performance goals and accountability frameworks.
Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration and results.
Support employee development, succession planning, and leadership growth.
Promote employee engagement and organizational wellbeing initiatives.
Minimum Requirements
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Commerce, Marketing, Finance, or a related field
MBA or postgraduate business qualification (advantageous)
Experience
Proven experience in senior business leadership roles with end-to-end accountability
Minimum 3 to 5 years of Executive or Executive Committee (ExCo) leadership experience
Strong track record in commercial strategy and business growth
Experience managing large and complex profit-and-loss (P&L) portfolios
Demonstrated success in customer retention, contract negotiation, and revenue growth
Strong understanding of the South African market and regional business environments
Required Skills and Competencies
Commercial and Financial Expertise
Strategic commercial leadership
Pricing and margin management
Portfolio management
Revenue growth planning
Financial analysis and business performance management
Contract negotiation and customer retention strategies
Technical Skills
CRM platforms such as Salesforce
Business intelligence and analytics tools
Data-driven decision-making
Commercial reporting and forecasting
Market analysis and competitive intelligence
Leadership Capabilities
Executive-level stakeholder management
Cross-functional leadership and influence
Team development and performance management
Strategic thinking and problem-solving
Change management and transformation leadership
Strong communication and presentation skills
Personal Attributes
Results-oriented mindset
High level of accountability and ownership
Strong resilience and adaptability
Excellent relationship-building skills
Commercially driven decision-maker
Confident and influential leader
Why Apply for This Senior Director Commercial Role?
This position offers a unique opportunity to lead commercial strategy and business growth across multiple markets within Sub-Saharan Africa.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence regional business performance, build strategic customer partnerships, drive transformation initiatives, and contribute to the future growth of a respected organization operating within complex and dynamic supply chain environments.
Application Deadline
16 July 2026
