Strategy Director - Sub Saharan Africa

Saint-Gobain; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint-Gobain Construction Products South Africa seeks a senior regional strategist to lead Sub-Saharan Africa growth. You will translate strategy into multi-year plans, assess entry models and coordinate cross-functional teams.

The role demands 10+ years in strategic leadership, experience in M&A and investment-case development, plus executive stakeholder management. An MBA is preferred. Based in Gauteng, Midrand.

Qualifications

• Requires degree in Commerce, Economics, Finance, Engineering or related field; MBA preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years in strategic leadership, including 5+ years at senior management level.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own SSA growth strategy and roadmap; define market entry and growth plans.
• Lead strategy; manage M&A and partnership activity across the region.
• Prepare evidence-based growth strategies and investment cases for SSA leadership and Group stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with governance, risk, sustainability and investment requirements.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

M&A

Financial modelling

Growth strategy

Education

Degree in Commerce/Economics/Finance/Engineering

MBA or related postgraduate qualification

Job description

Why do we need you?

• Develop and own the Sub-Saharan Africa growth strategy and roadmap, applying the Start Up, Scale Up and Step Up framework to define how each market will enter, grow and transform.
• Translate the regional strategy into practical multi-year plans with clear resource, investment, return, stage-gate and milestone requirements.
• Assess new-country opportunities and determine suitable entry models, including export, distribution, partnership, joint venture, acquisition or greenfield investment.
• Build investment-ready country plans by coordinating Finance, HR, Legal, Supply Chain, Marketing, the Solutions team and external consulting partners.
• Lead strategic planning, M&A and partnership activity across the region, including target screening, valuation, due diligence, negotiation support and integration planning.
• Prepare and present evidence-based growth strategies and investment cases to SSA leadership and Group stakeholders in Paris.
• Monitor economic, political, regulatory, currency, competitor and industry developments across Sub-Saharan Africa and advise the SSA Executive Committee on their implications.
• Ensuring market-entry, partnership and growth initiatives comply with Saint-Gobain governance, risk, compliance, sustainability and investment requirements.

Is this job for you?

You will need a degree in Commerce, Economics, Finance, Engineering or a related field. An MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Strategy or Business is strongly preferred. You should bring at least 10 years' experience in strategic leadership, including a minimum of 5 years at senior management level, with a proven record of developing and executing growth or market-entry strategies. The role also requires experience in M&A, investment-case development, financial modelling and the management of external consulting partners. Strong executive communication, analytical thinking and stakeholder-management capability are essential.

To make sure nothing is forgotten

This is a senior regional leadership opportunity for a commercially astute strategist who can turn Sub-Saharan Africa growth ambition into credible, executable and investment-ready plans. Success will require influence across countries and functions, disciplined governance, sound judgement in complex markets and the ability to build confidence with both regional and Group stakeholders.

A Little More About Us

Saint-Gobain Construction Products South Africa is a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative construction solutions. Through trusted brands and sustainable building materials, we serve the residential, commercial and infrastructure sectors across Southern Africa. Our Alrode operation plays a critical role in delivering high-quality products, operational excellence and customer-focused solutions, while fostering a culture of safety, continuous improvement and innovation.

Legal Statement

We value the importance of a diverse workforce as a cornerstone of our business success. Our primary focus in selecting the most suitable candidates for our roles is based on their skills, qualifications, and experience. We wholeheartedly embrace the principle of equal opportunity in our employment processes and are committed to eliminating any unlawful discrimination in our hiring practices.