Director: Wine Industry Solutions - Cape Town

Vine Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Vine Recruitment seeks a commercially driven Director: Wine Industry Solutions for Cape Town. The role entails full P&L accountability, strategic leadership, and driving sustainable growth for a leading South African oenology business.

You will oversee revenue, profitability, and market leadership while guiding a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate has 10–15 years in wine/ FMCG leadership, with proven experience in strategic planning, customer relationships, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; MBA or Master’s degree is advantageous.
• 10–15 years’ progressive leadership in wine, food ingredients, biotechnology, fermentation, FMCG or manufacturing.
• At least 7 years in a senior commercial leadership role with full P&L accountability.
• Proven track record in strategic planning, revenue growth and market expansion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the business unit’s strategic and annual operating plans.
• Take full responsibility for P&L, revenue, profitability, budgeting and forecasting.
• Drive business growth, market expansion, pricing strategies and key account development.
• Identify market opportunities, industry trends and customer needs.
• Lead product innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Ensure operational excellence, supply chain efficiency, quality and regulatory compliance.
• Lead, develop and retain a high-performing multidisciplinary team.
• Manage business risks, governance and compliance.
• Provide strategic and performance reporting to executive and global leadership.
• Participate in executive leadership and broader organisational initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Commercial acumen

Financial management

Business development

Customer focus

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

People leadership

Innovation

Results orientation

Integrity and accountability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Commerce, Food Science, Microbiology, Biotechnology or a related field

Job description

Director: Wine Industry Solutions - Cape Town

Our client in Cape Town is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Director: Wine Industry Solutions to provide strategic, commercial and operational leadership for a leading South African oenology business. The role carries full P&L accountability and is responsible for driving sustainable growth, profitability, market leadership, innovation and customer excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the business unit’s strategic and annual operating plans.
• Take full responsibility for P&L, revenue, profitability, budgeting and forecasting.
• Drive business growth, market expansion, pricing strategies and key account development.
• Identify market opportunities, industry trends and customer needs.
• Lead product innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, suppliers and industry stakeholders.
• Ensure operational excellence, supply chain efficiency, quality and regulatory compliance.
• Lead, develop and retain a high-performing multidisciplinary team.
• Manage business risks, governance and compliance.
• Provide strategic and performance reporting to executive and global leadership teams.
• Participate in executive leadership and broader organisational initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Commerce, Food Science, Microbiology, Biotechnology or a related field.
• MBA or Master’s degree advantageous.
• 10–15 years’ progressive leadership experience in wine, food ingredients, biotechnology, fermentation, FMCG or manufacturing.
• At least 7 years in a senior commercial/business leadership role with full P&L accountability.
• Proven track record in strategic planning, revenue growth, profitability and market expansion.
• Strong experience leading multidisciplinary teams and strategic customer relationships.
• Excellent commercial, financial, analytical and negotiation skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership
• Commercial acumen
• Financial management
• Business development
• Customer focus
• Negotiation
• Analytical thinking
• People leadership
• Innovation
• Results orientation
• Integrity and accountability.

A senior leadership opportunity for an experienced business executive who can combine strategic vision with strong commercial execution and people leadership