The position is responsible for all commercial facing activities for FTA’s service offerings to members, ensuring that all related functions are aligned to meet FTA’s strategic objectives. Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Commercial Director will lead the FTA functional efforts to optimize sales of our members’ commodities under Fairtrade terms and to assist them in capturing additional value from the respective supply chains.Responsible for drafting, implementing and evaluating cross-functional strategies that will enable FTA members’ commercial efforts on the ground and work as one with other parts of the Fairtrade International system to optimize the value captured for our farmers and workers.
TEAM: Senior Leadership Team
REPORTING LINES:
Post holder reports to: Executive Director
Staff reporting to this post: Product Managers
SCALE LEVEL: Director
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: Yes
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILTIES
Producer Support Strategy and Implementation
In charge of development and implementation of FTA commercial strategy
Lead in market research and analysis
Liaise with existing customers and stakeholders (i.e. Producers) and FTA staff to understand their needs to accelerate growth
Acquisition of new customers and stakeholders (regionally, intra Africa and globally); including building and maintaining profitable partnerships
Support producers to meet customer needs e.g. value addition, product diversification
Develop and implement integrated marketing ,communication , media and engagement plans to create producers visibility and growth
Monitor performances of commercial activities by using KPI’s and reporting
In charge of setting financial goals and budget development including monitoring
Manage producer relations to create greater collaboration
Collaborate with diverse teams within FTA and FT Asia and Latin America to learn from each other and identify business potential
General Management
Agree on roles, responsibilities and objectives of direct reports
Plan, coordinate and execute the annual operational plan for the programmes function
Support the development and review individual annual work plans of team members.
Carry out regular one on ones, bi-annual appraisals with programme staff
Provide technical support, guidance and development for team members
Plan, coordinate and execute the annual budgeting process for the regions
Provide technical support, guidance and development of team members.
Promote a culture of high performance and improvement
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
A degree in marketing, trade or business administration from a globally recognized university
8+ years of senior commercial or marketing leadership working with large retailers or brands, with export agencies or with commercial associations
Proven and demostrable experience in sales and/or marketing and managing relationships with key stakeholders and clients
A good understanding of relevant commercial and value chain experience working in both developed and developing markets across multiple countries and cultures;
Experience in the delivery of strong campaigns with measurable results
In-depth understanding of market research methods and analysis
Marketing experience in the NGO or commercial sector with a broad understanding of global trade and international development
Experience in developing marketing plans, media and engagement strategies and measuring results.
Exceptional capacity for connecting and facilitating within a multi-stakeholder organisations
Solid experience of leading change management programmes, in the commercial and trade sectors, with the ability to influence and lead people and organisations across awide network, without direct line management
Proven and demonstrable successful sales/pursuing business opportunties and experience with commodities and value chains across different African and MiddleEastern countries and regions.
A proven track record for achieving ambitious goals with a bottom-line orientation; evidence of the ability to make good decisions based on analysis, experience and judgement.
The ability to influence and build consensus with member organizations and shape strategic and policy direction
Broad experience with the full range of business functions and systems, including strategic development and planning, budgeting, finance, commercial and marketing.
An understanding and passion for Fairtrade and Sustainably sourced products will be anadded advantage
Skill and Knowledge Desired:
Excellent leadership and management skills.
Experience of line management and performance management.
Exceptional relationship management and networking skills.
Good at influencing and negotiating.
Able to work in a multi-cultural environment
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
REQUIRED
Exceptional communication skills – verbal and written
The ability to work independently in a high-pressured environment with conflicting demands.
Experience in engaging and influencing external stakeholders at a senior level.
Experience in budget management and operational planning.
