South Africa: Sales & Operations Manager – Bulk Commodities / Chemicals posted by Greys Recruitment

• Degree or diploma in Business, Marketing, Logistics, Operations Management or related field
• Minimum 5 to 10 years’ experience in business development and operations within the Port or Bulk commodities industry
• Demonstrated success closing multiyear handling/service contracts with sizeable volume commitments
• Demonstrated experience managing key accounts and building new customer pipelines
• Advantage: experience in chemicals (soda ash, fertilisers, ammonium sulphate, sodium sulphate, sodium carbonate), minerals/ores or grains value chains.
• Strong understanding of chemical importation, warehousing and distribution operations
• Experience with SHEQ compliance, chemical safety and legal health and safety appointments
• Proven ability to manage multi-site warehouse or logistics operations
• Strong commercial, negotiation and stakeholder management skills

Key Competencies:

• Enterprise B2B dealmaking and account acquisition
• Bulk logistics economics: port tariffs, terminal operations, demurrage/storage dynamics
• Contract structuring: multiyear agreements, SLAs, volume bands, incentives/penalties
• Financial acumen: pricing in R/ton, gross margin per ton, NPV of contracts
• Stakeholder influence: customers, port authorities, shipping lines, service providers
• Market mapping, pipeline building and solution selling
• Crossfunctional collaboration with Operations, Finance, Legal and SHEQ
• Planning, forecasting, CRM discipline and executive reporting

Performance Expectations:

• Achievement of sales, margin and market growth targets
• Growth of customer base and sales pipeline
• High levels of customer satisfaction and service delivery
• Full compliance with SHEQ and regulatory requirements
• Efficient, cost effective and reliable warehouse and logistics operations
• Strong team performance and engagement

Key Responsibilities
 
Business Development:

• Develop and expand client base in terminal handling, storage and distribution of bulk import and export commodities.
• Improve sales and marketing strategies to grow revenue, margins and market share across all chemical and commodity products
• Build, manage and continuously expand sales and services through proactive prospecting, customer engagement and market development
• Identify new industries, customers and applications for company’s product range
• Maintain and grow relationships with existing clients, ensuring retention, contract renewals to afford continued services.
• Lead pricing, quotation, contract and commercial negotiations with customers
• Support product introductions by assessing market demand, pricing, logistics feasibility and customer readiness
• Prepare and support tenders, proposals and commercial submissions
• Ensure commercial terms protect margin, cash flow and operational feasibility.
• Monitor market flows, import volumes, vessel lineups, seasonal demand, and competitor activity to inform pricing and capacity decisions.
• Represent company at customer meetings, industry forums and commercial engagements
• Maintain trusted relationships with importers, traders, shipping lines/agents, fertiliser and mining majors.
• Coordinate with port stakeholders and service providers to secure berth windows, equipment, storage allocations and valueadd services.
• Develop channel/partner strategies where beneficial (e.g., joint offerings with logistics providers).

 
Operations and Supply Chain Management:
 

• Oversee daily warehousing, logistics and distribution activities across all sites to ensure reliable, on time delivery to customers
• Ensure effective inventory management, stock accuracy and optimal warehouse space utilisation
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across warehousing, logistics and customer fulfilment processes
• Manage suppliers, transporters and service providers to ensure cost effective and reliable service delivery

 
Health, Safety and Compliance (SHEQ):
 

• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety, environmental and chemical handling legislation
• Promote a strong safety culture across sales, operations and warehouse teams
• Maintain compliance documentation, reporting and audit readiness

 
People and Performance Management:
 

• Lead and manage sales, customer service and operations teams
• Ensure appropriate workforce planning to support sales volumes and operational requirements
• Set performance targets and KPIs for sales and operational staff
• Provide coaching, training and development to improve product knowledge, sales capability and operational discipline
• Manage attendance, discipline, performance and employee relations matters in line with company policies

 
How to apply:

1. Follow the link to our job seekers ’ page – .za
2. Search for the job title.
3. Click Apply to submit your CV