Senior Frozen Fish Trader

Abantu Staffing Solutions; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 930 000 - 1 100 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading staffing agency is seeking an experienced professional to lead and grow a frozen fish trading portfolio in Cape Town. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in the industry, a strong network, and the ability to maximize profitability while ensuring compliance. Responsibilities include negotiating deals, strategic market expansion, and managing logistics. Interest in traveling to connect with suppliers and customers is essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in frozen fish trading with success in SADC markets.
• Deep knowledge of low-value fish trading, especially horse mackerel, sardines.
• Proven ability to manage forex exposure and complex logistics.

Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and close frozen fish deals across SADC and export markets.
• Bring your book of buyers and suppliers and grow with our support.
• Maximize margins, manage forex risk, and control pricing and volumes.
• Design a long-term trading and sourcing strategy.
• Stay close to suppliers, customers, and logistics partners.
• Ensure compliance with documentation and sustainability standards.

Skills

Frozen fish trading experience

Negotiation skills

Market knowledge

Logistics management

Fluent in English

Education

Degree in Commerce, Business, Supply Chain or Fisheries

Job description

Job description:

To lead and grow the frozen fish trading portfolio by leveraging deep industry experience, market knowledge, and a robust network of buyers and sellers. Responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and closing deals across high-value and low-value frozen fish categories, ensuring profitability, compliance, and strategic market expansion.

Minimum Requirements:

• Grade 12 / Matric
• Degree in Commerce, Business, Supply Chain or Fisheries
• 10+ years’ experience in frozen fish trading with clear success in SADC markets
• Deep knowledge of low-value fish trading (especially horse mackerel, mackerel, mullet, sardines)
• Proven ability to manage forex exposure and complex logistics
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strategic lens and high follow-through
• Fluent in English (Afrikaans, Portuguese or French a plus will advantageous)

Responsibilities:

• Own the trade: Source, negotiate, and close frozen fish deals (mackerel, sardines, horse mackerel, hake) across SADC and export markets
• Activate your network: Bring your book of buyers and suppliers — and watch it grow with our support
• Drive profitability: Maximize margins, manage forex risk, and execute with full control over pricing, volumes, and deal structures
• Build the business: Design a long-term trading and sourcing strategy that scales — including regional hires, market expansion, and product mix growth (including high-value fish)
• Travel with purpose: Stay close to suppliers, customers, and logistics partners across key trade lanes
• Lead with compliance: Ensure documentation, health, origin, and sustainability standards are watertight