General Manager - Africa

SUMMARY:
An established international Industrial distribution business is looking to recruit an experienced General Manager – Africa to lead its strategic expansion and commercial growth across Sub-Saharan Africa.

This is an executive opportunity for a commercially astute leader with proven experience establishing and growing businesses in African markets, developing strategic partnerships and building sustainable, profitable operations.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities Lead and execute the company's African growth strategy, identifying new markets and establishing sustainable operations. Evaluate market opportunities, develop country entry strategies and prepare commercial business cases for executive approval. Oversee the establishment of new country operations, including the planned Zambia branch, from feasibility and localisation through to staffing and operational launch. Drive commercial growth across existing operations, including Uganda, by strengthening local leadership, developing key customer relationships and expanding business development capabilities. Identify and pursue major industrial, mining, energy and infrastructure projects across Southern and East Africa. Develop strategic relationships with mining houses, EPC contractors, government authorities, industrial customers and other key stakeholders. Build and manage a strong pipeline of African business opportunities, including major tenders and projects. Negotiate strategic partnerships, distribution and agency agreements, and potential joint ventures. Develop country business plans, budgets and financial forecasts, ensuring revenue growth, profitability and operational performance. Establish effective operating structures and cross-border support capabilities covering logistics, customs, taxation, legal compliance and financial management. Assess and manage commercial, political, regulatory and country-specific risks across African markets. Recruit, mentor and develop country managers and leadership teams, building the capabilities required for continued expansion. Represent the business at executive level, contributing to group strategy and providing strategic input to the CEO and Executive Committee. Experience and Requirements 10-15 years' senior executive experience , with a strong track record in commercial leadership and business development. Proven experience establishing and expanding businesses or branch operations in African markets. Demonstrated success in identifying new markets, developing business opportunities and delivering profitable growth. Strong understanding of African commercial environments, cross-border trade and international business operations. Experience negotiating complex commercial agreements and developing strategic partnerships. Sound financial acumen, including business case development, budgeting, forecasting and investment evaluation. Experience leading multicultural teams and developing management capability across different countries. Strong strategic thinking, commercial judgement, negotiation and stakeholder management skills. Experience in industrial distribution, engineering or infrastructure would be advantageous. Exposure to mining, energy and large-scale industrial projects, particularly in Southern and East Africa, would be beneficial. Willingness to travel extensively throughout Africa. This opportunity will suit an entrepreneurial, commercially driven executive who combines strategic vision with the practical experience required to establish operations, develop markets and deliver sustainable growth across Africa.