Chief Operating Officer (COO)

UNISON INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING (The Recruitment Company); Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

UNISON INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING (The Recruitment Company) in Dubai seeks an executive with 20–25 years in B2B commodities trading to drive performance across multiple geographies. The role oversees P&L, procurement, and sales of agricultural commodities, with emphasis on Africa, India, and UAE markets.

The ideal candidate will lead cross-functional teams, manage trade finance and working capital, and scale new entities internationally, delivering growth and profitability.

Qualifications

• 20-25 years of experience in B2B commodities trading.
• Strong expertise in agricultural commodities such as grains, pulses, oilseeds, and related products.
• Hands-on experience in both procurement and sales.
• Proven track record of managing P&L and driving profitability.
• Strong exposure to Africa, India, and UAE markets (UAE experience is mandatory).
• Experience in setting up and scaling businesses across international geographies.
• Strong leadership capabilities with exposure to commercial, financial, and operational functions.

Responsibilities

• Drive overall business performance, revenue growth, margins, and profitability.
• Own P&L across multiple business verticals and geographies.
• Lead procurement and sales of dry agricultural commodities globally.
• Develop and expand business across Africa, India, and UAE markets.
• Establish and scale new business entities across international geographies.
• Manage cross-functional teams including Trading, Procurement, Sales, Finance, Logistics, Documentation, and Operations.
• Oversee trade finance, treasury, working capital, and cash flow management.
• Drive operational excellence, process improvements, compliance, and risk management.
• Partner with leadership to define and execute long-term growth strategies.

Skills

P&L ownership

Procurement

Sales

Leadership

Global markets experience

Trade finance

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive overall business performance, revenue growth, margins, and profitability
• Own P&L across multiple business verticals and geographies
• Lead procurement and sales of dry agricultural commodities globally
• Develop and expand business across Africa, India, and UAE markets
• Establish and scale new business entities across international geographies
• Manage cross-functional teams including Trading, Procurement, Sales, Finance, Logistics, Documentation, and Operations
• Oversee trade finance, treasury, working capital, and cash flow management
• Drive operational excellence, process improvements, compliance, and risk management
• Partner with leadership to define and execute long-term growth strategies

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• 20-25 years of experience in B2B commodities trading
• Strong expertise in agricultural commodities such as grains, pulses, oilseeds, and related products
• Hands-on experience in both procurement and sales
• Proven track record of managing P&L and driving profitability
• Strong exposure to Africa, India, and UAE markets (UAE experience is mandatory)
• Experience in setting up and scaling businesses across international geographies
• Strong leadership capabilities with exposure to commercial, financial, and operational functions

Preferred Background:

• International Trading Houses
• Commodity Merchandising & Supply Chain
• Businesses operating across Africa, India & the Middle East
• Organizations involved in global sourcing, procurement, and commodity exports/imports