VP - International Trade & Distribution (FMCG/Commodities)

Confidential; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a senior leader to architect and drive strategies that connect producers, traders and manufacturers with regional and international markets through integrated logistics and distribution solutions. The role requires proven P&L ownership, and a track record in physical commodities or FMCG distribution across multiple markets.

The candidate will lead strategy development, build strategic partnerships, and negotiate complex commercial agreements while expanding revenue across

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within physical commodities trading, FMCG/consumer goods distribution, food/agri commodities, international trading or a related sector.
• Strong understanding of physical product flows from sourcing/origination through transportation, import/export, warehousing and end-market distribution.
• Proven experience developing new markets, trade corridors, distribution channels or routes-to-market.
• Demonstrated success in commercial growth, business development and building new revenue streams.
• Strong P&L ownership and financial management experience.
• Established track record of managing senior customer relationships and complex commercial negotiations.
• Experience operating across multiple countries and emerging markets, preferably including the Middle East, Africa and/or Asia.
• Good understanding of international trade, logistics and supply-chain economics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategy, identifying priority markets, trade corridors, commodities and customer segments.
• Identify and develop new revenue opportunities across commodities, FMCG and related sectors.
• Build relationships with major commodity traders, producers, manufacturers, distributors and strategic partners.
• Develop market-entry and route-to-market solutions that enable customers to access and expand within target markets.
• Create integrated commercial propositions combining freight, transportation, warehousing, customs and distribution capabilities.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and establish long-term strategic customer partnerships.
• Assess commodity flows, supply-demand dynamics, distribution structures and market trends to identify growth opportunities.
• Develop business cases and commercial models for new markets, customers and partnerships.
• Drive revenue, profitability and overall P&L performance of the portfolio.
• Collaborate across commercial, operational and regional teams to successfully implement new customer solutions.

Job description

The role will lead the development and execution of strategies that connect producers, traders and manufacturers with regional and international markets through integrated logistics and distribution solutions.

The successful candidate will bring strong commercial leadership experience from physical commodities trading and/or FMCG distribution, with a proven track record of developing markets, managing P&L and building scalable commercial businesses.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute strategy, identifying priority markets, trade corridors, commodities and customer segments.
• Identify and develop new revenue opportunities across commodities, FMCG and related sectors.
• Build relationships with major commodity traders, producers, manufacturers, distributors and strategic partners.
• Develop market-entry and route-to-market solutions that enable customers to access and expand within target markets.
• Create integrated commercial propositions combining freight, transportation, warehousing, customs and distribution capabilities.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and establish long-term strategic customer partnerships.
• Assess commodity flows, supply-demand dynamics, distribution structures and market trends to identify growth opportunities.
• Develop business cases and commercial models for new markets, customers and partnerships.
• Drive revenue, profitability and overall P&L performance of the portfolio.
• Collaborate across commercial, operational and regional teams to successfully implement new customer solutions.

Candidate Profile:

• Significant senior leadership experience within physical commodities trading, FMCG/consumer goods distribution, food/agri commodities, international trading or a related sector.
• Strong understanding of physical product flows from sourcing/origination through transportation, import/export, warehousing and end-market distribution.
• Proven experience developing new markets, trade corridors, distribution channels or routes-to-market.
• Demonstrated success in commercial growth, business development and building new revenue streams.
• Strong P&L ownership and financial management experience.
• Established track record of managing senior customer relationships and complex commercial negotiations.
• Experience operating across multiple countries and emerging markets, preferably including the Middle East, Africa and/or Asia.
• Good understanding of international trade, logistics and supply-chain economics.

Preferred Background

Candidates will ideally come from:

• Physical commodity trading, particularly agriculture, food or soft commodities
• International trading and import/export
• Agricultural supply chains
• Integrated trading and logistics businesses

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, Logistics, International Trade or a related discipline. MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is advantageous.