Commercial Manager – Food Ingredients

Frank Consult; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive basic salary

Pre-tax profit share

Job summary

An established trading group in South Africa is seeking a commercially driven individual to lead its new Food Ingredients division. Responsibilities include developing the commercial strategy, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring overall financial performance. Candidates should have 5–10 years of relevant experience in trading, a strong network in the South African food sector, and the ability to build a business from the ground up. A competitive salary with significant profit share is offered.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in food ingredients trading or distribution.
• Experience in sourcing or trading within an ingredient environment.
• Strong network in the South African food manufacturing sector.
• Strong network within the South African food manufacturing sector.
• Experience negotiating supply agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Solid understanding of pricing structures, margins and commercial risk.
• Knowledge of logistics, shipping processes and international trade dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the commercial strategy for the Food Ingredients division.
• Identify and manage international supplier relationships.
• Establish systems and controls for the division's operations.
• Build and maintain relationships with procurement and technical teams at food manufacturers.
• Leverage group infrastructure including import, logistics, finance and compliance.
• Drive a hybrid trading model combining contracted volume and spot trading.
• Set and manage pricing strategies, margins and commercial terms.
• Manage working capital, stock exposure and commercial risk.
• Establish systems, processes and controls required to run the division effectively.
• Recruit and lead a lean commercial and operational team over time.
• Take full accountability for the financial performance of the division.

Skills

Commercial strategy development

Supplier relationship management

Financial accountability

Logistics and trade knowledge

Pricing strategy

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

About the Opportunity

An established and entrepreneurial trading group is expanding into the Food Ingredients space and is seeking a commercially driven individual to build and lead this new division.

The business already operates a successful import and distribution model within the agricultural and feed additives sector, with established supplier relationships, infrastructure, and a national client base. This new division will leverage those capabilities to unlock growth in food ingredients.

This is a build-and-own opportunity with strong financial backing and significant profit share upside.

Role Purpose

To establish, grow and lead a profitable Food Ingredients trading division, taking full responsibility for commercial strategy, supplier sourcing, customer development, and overall financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the commercial strategy for the Food Ingredients division.
• Identify and prioritise key product categories such as starches, sweeteners, proteins, emulsifiers, stabilisers and functional ingredients.
• Establish and manage international supplier relationships and negotiate commercial agreements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with procurement and technical teams at food manufacturers.
• Leverage existing group infrastructure including import, logistics, finance and compliance.
• Drive a hybrid trading model combining contracted volume and opportunistic spot trading.
• Set and manage pricing strategies, margins and commercial terms.
• Manage working capital, stock exposure, and commercial risk.
• Establish systems, processes and controls required to run the division effectively.
• Recruit and lead a lean commercial and operational team over time.
• Take full accountability for the financial performance of the division.

Requirements

• Minimum 5–10 years’ experience within food ingredients or additives trading or distribution.
• Proven experience in importing, sourcing or trading within an ingredient or related environment.
• Demonstrated exposure to full financial accountability, including revenue, margin and cost control.
• Strong network within the South African food manufacturing sector.
• Experience negotiating supply agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Solid understanding of pricing structures, margin management and commercial risk.
• Knowledge of logistics, shipping processes and international trade dynamics.

Key Attributes

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong commercial drive.
• Ability to build and grow a business from the ground up.
• Financially astute and margin-focused.
• Strong relationship-building ability at a senior level.
• Independent decision-maker who thrives in a performance-driven environment.
• Comfortable operating in a lean, fast-moving environment.

Remuneration

• Competitive basic salary.
• Pre-tax profit share linked to division performance.
• Significant upside potential aligned to growth and profitability.