Sales & Operations Manager – Bulk Commodities / Chemicals

SUMMARY:
Our client is in the chemical sector and is looking for a Sales & Operations Manager – Bulk Commodities / Chemicals to join their team.
  
This role combines sales leadership and operational oversight across imported chemicals, fertilisers, mineral ores, grains, and other bulk commodities. You will drive revenue growth, market expansion, and operational excellence, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient warehousing, logistics, and distribution across multiple sites.
 
Location: Durban

POSITION INFO:
Minimum Requirements:

• 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 multi‑year 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

• Enterprise B2B deal‑making and account acquisition
• Bulk logistics economics: port tariffs, terminal operations, demurrage/storage dynamics
• Contract structuring: multi‑year 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
• Cross‑functional collaboration with Operations, Finance, Legal and SHEQ
• Planning, forecasting, CRM discipline and executive reporting

• 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

• 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 line‑ups, 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 value‑add services.
• Develop channel/partner strategies where beneficial (e.g., joint offerings with logistics providers).

• 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

• 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

• 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

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