South Africa: Commercial Manager – Retail & HoReCa posted by Indian Ocean Export Company

Role: Commercial Manager Retail & HoReCa

Company: UFS

Location: On-site in Hulhumale, Maldives

Industry: (HORECA) Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Caf, Food Services

Reporting Line: Managing Executive

PURPOSE:

We are seeking a skilled Commercial Manager who is responsible for overseeing the commercial operations of UFS across the Retail and HoReCa channels. The role ensures the achievement of sales and profit targets, manages brand performance across key FMCG categories, and drives operational efficiency through strategic planning, data analysis, and stakeholder management. The Commercial Manager has an instrumental role in building strong relationships with existing clients and identifying new business opportunities to drive sales and revenue growth. The role is based in Hulhumale in the Maldives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversee the performance of all major brands under the portfolio.

Monitor sales and margin performance.

Conduct daily tracking of sales budgets, margin health, and stock performance to ensure optimal profitability and reduced wastage.

Support the sales team by conducting up/down trading analyses to identify customer performance trends, purchasing gaps, and opportunities for product reactivation.

Develop and maintain consistency and ad-hoc trading agreements with key customers to drive stable sales volumes and category growth. (Mutual Consistency Agreements, Trade Agreements)

Collaborate with the procurement team to plan container shipments, manage order cycles, and ensure stock availability across key product categories.

Supervise and evaluate the performance of sales representatives.

Compile and submit monthly commission calculations.

Coordinate weekly commercial meetings focused on procurement planning, debtors review, suspense orders, and shipment arrivals to align cross-departmental priorities.

Ensure adherence to group pricing structures, contract agreements, and channel profitability goals.

Monthly sales achievement vs. budget (Retail & HoReCa channels).

Stock health and wastage levels (measured by short-dated and slow-moving stock reduction).

Customer coverage and numerical distribution performance.

Adherence to container arrival and procurement schedules.

Sales team commission structure compliance and payout alignment.

Accuracy and timeliness of reporting and forecasting data.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EXPERIENCE

Proven experience in a similar role within the food service industry, with strong sales and achievement attitude.

Strong understanding of FMCG supply chain and distribution dynamics.

Proficiency in budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking.

Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams.

Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.

EQ SKILLS

Responsibility and ownership of work, initiative, drive and outcomes focused. Self-motivated and target-driven, with a focus on achieving results.

Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Ability to read the room/client and have excellent active listening skills

Excellent stakeholder and brand management skills

Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Relationship-building abilities and customer-centric approach. Able to work with multiple different cultures. An understanding of the Islamic culture would be preferred.

Analytical mindset with the ability to gather and interpret sales data.

Strong organizational and time management skills.

EDUCATION

Matric and relevant tertiary in Business, Commerce or similar.

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

United Food Suppliers (UFS) is one of the fastest growing businesses in Maldives specializing in supply, storage and distribution of temperature controlled food products such as meat, seafood, poultry, dry foods, vegetables and fruits of the highest quality from all over the world.

IN MARKET CONDITIONS:

This position will be based in Hulhumale in the Maldives, which is a dry country, alcoholic beverages are not available, as well as pork products. However, in terms of dress code it is not strictly Islamic. The island is a global employment destination for all nationalities, expect to work with multiple different cultures. An understanding of the Islamic culture would be beneficial. The workdays and hours of Maldives include 6-day work week. The business days are Sunday to Thursday (8.30 to 5.30pm) and Saturday (9-2pm), with an hour for lunch. The nature of HORECA operations may require the need to work outside these office hours.

REMUNERATION:

The position will pay a market related salary dependent on experience. The company will also provide a car and a cell phone contract for the incumbent. Accommodation: the first months rental will be covered by the company however, thereafter is the responsibility of the incumbent; One annual return airplane ticket to the original country or residence is also included in the package.