Purpose of the Role

The Commercial Director is the primary architect of the company’s revenue engines. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing and executing the commercial strategy that connects fragmented agricultural production with high-value institutional and global markets.

The ideal candidate’s mandate will be to monetize the company’s "trade orchestration" model by securing high-volume offtake agreements, structuring bankable trade contracts, and expanding the company’s footprint in both domestic food security and international export markets.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Strategy & Growth

· Develop and implement a robust commercial strategy that aligns with the company’s mission and growth objectives.

· Identify and secure new revenue streams across domestic and export markets.

· Drive structured trade models that minimize risk and maximize margins for stakeholders.

Revenue Strategy & Market Expansion

· Identify and secure long-term offtake agreements with blue-chip institutional buyers, large-scale processors, and international commodity traders.

· Drive the export competitiveness mandate by opening new international corridors for Nigerian agricultural products

· Identify opportunities to monetize the proprietary digital platform through data analytics, traceability services, and trade facilitation fees.

Structured Trade & Partnerships

· Manage high-level relationships with government bodies, Development Financial Institutions (DFIs), and NGOs to deliver large-scale "Social Impact" programs that remain commercially viable.

· Work with the Legal and Finance teams to create "bankable" trade contracts that allow ecosystem partners (aggregators/farmers) to access credit.

· Form partnerships with logistics providers and quality assurance firms to ensure the "Bulk Food" brand is synonymous with international standards.

Portfolio & Margin Management

· Oversee the "pre-contracted sales" model to minimize speculative risk and ensure that aggregation is always anchored in a guaranteed sale.

· Establish fair pricing mechanisms that ensure stakeholder growth while protecting the company’s operational margins.

· Leverage the platform’s data to provide real-time insights into commodity trends, FX shifts, and trade policy impacts.

Commercial Operations & Technology Adoption

· Champion the use of the proprietary platform among buyers and aggregators to ensure 100% traceability and automated financial workflows.

· Close the loop between the Supply Chain team (aggregation) and the commercial team (market demand) to prevent inventory bottlenecks or stockouts.

Leadership & Team Development

· Lead and mentor the commercial team, fostering a culture of accountability, agility, and innovation.

· Align cross-functional teams to deliver integrated solutions across the agricultural value chain.

· Represent the company at industry forums, trade missions, and stakeholder engagements.

Qualifications & Certifications

Advanced degree (MBA, MSc or M.Eng) in Business Administration, Agriculture, Economics, Supply Chain Management or a related field

A first degree (B.Sc / HND) in Agriculture, Business, Economics, Engineering or a closely related discipline — minimum Second Class Upper

Additional qualifications in Trade Finance, Agricultural Policy or Digital Transformation are a strong advantage

Fellow or Member — Institute of Directors (IoD) — mandatory for board-level engagement

Fellow or Member — Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management (CISCM) or equivalent

CFA, ACA, ACCA or equivalent financial qualification (strong advantage)

Agribusiness / Food Systems certification from international institutions (e.g. IFAD, FAO, WFP programmes) — added advantage

Experience Required

· 15+ years in Commercial Leadership, Commodity Trading, or Structured Trade Finance.

· MBA or Master’s in Economics, Agribusiness, or International Trade.

· Deep understanding of Nigerian and African agricultural value chains and global commodity market dynamics.

· An existing Rolodex of institutional buyers, international traders, and regulatory stakeholders in the food sector.

· Expertise in Structured Trade Finance and risk mitigation.

· Proficiency in using Data Analytics/CRM tools to drive commercial decisions.

· Strong understanding of Quality Standards (HACCP, ISO) and export documentation.

· The ability to pivot quickly in a "startup energy" environment while maintaining the "institutional depth" of a large organization.

· Capable of navigating the complexities of the Nigerian macro-economic environment (FX volatility, policy shifts).

· Absolute transparency in contract management and stakeholder dealings.