Retail Commercial Manager - Expat Opportunity in Seychelles

The Commercial Manager (RETAIL) is a critical cross-functional role responsible for Sales dept management, accurate forecasts, aligned procurement schedules, controlled cash flow, and efficient import logistics.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Team Management

o Drive the commercial RETAIL targets for the company and ensure consistent achievement through effective planning and execution.

o Execute strategies for talent acquisition, employee development, and retention.

o Lead, inspire, and develop high-performing commercial teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment with company objectives.

o Ensure the RETAIL Sales Team have clearly defined performance targets, KPIs, structure and support to achieve their goals, deadlines and responsibilities.

o Ensure the RETAIL Sales Team meets performance targets and KPIs.

o Ensure the RETAIL Sales Team build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, distributors, and retailers to maximize sales and market penetration.

o Drive communication, monitoring, mentoring and training of RETAIL Sales Team.

o Proactively analyze Sales, develop insights and react to changing global and local market conditions, customer behaviors, macro-economic factors that are relevant to the business.

o Mentor team members to drive accountability, high engagement, and personal growth.

Sales Forecasting & Demand Planning

o Develop and maintain accurate, rolling sales forecasts in collaboration with the Sales team using rate-of-sale analysis, promotional calendars, seasonal factors, and historical data.

o Ensure forecast accuracy through regular reconciliation against actuals and market dynamics.

o Provide visibility to leadership on demand shifts, forecast risks, and assumptions.

Procurement Planning

o Convert demand forecasts into detailed procurement plans, aligned with supplier lead times, minimum order quantities, shipment schedules, and stock holding targets.

o Work with the Procurement team in South Africa to place and manage orders based on the approved procurement schedule.

o Monitor supplier performance and flag any risk of stockouts or overstocking.

o Maintain a central overview of shipment status, including ETAs, documentation, and clearance readiness.

o Oversee the tracking of all placed orders through to delivery in Seychelles, coordinating with procurement, freight forwarders, and customs agents.

Cash Flow Forecasting

o Collaborate closely with the Finance team to build forward-looking cash flow forecasts tied to procurement schedules, payment terms, and shipment timelines.

o Support the Finance function with procurement and logistics inputs into monthly, quarterly, and annual financial planning.

o Track and report on actual cash outflows related to procurement versus forecasts.

Pricing Management

o Collaborate with Sales, Procurement, and Finance to maintain and update pricing models.

o Monitor landed cost changes (e.g., exchange rates, shipping, duties) and assess pricing implications.

o Ensure pricing remains aligned with business strategy, margin targets, and cost fluctuations.

o Provide pricing recommendations based on forecasted and actual cost inputs.

Reporting & Business Insights

o Own and produce regular reporting on:

a. Sales forecasts and actuals

b. Procurement activity

c. Inventory status

d. Shipment tracking

e. Cash flow forecasts

f. Pricing impact analyses

o Provide clear, actionable insights to management

Minimum Requirements for the role:

Skills & Experience:

o Minimum 7 years’ experience in Sales Management, supply chain planning, demand forecasting, or commercial operations within a wholesale or distribution organization concerned with the supply of perishable foods products specifically to hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and catering companies (RETAIL) industry.

o Strong experience with landed costs calculation, product pricing strategies and supplier cost structures.

o Experienced in import/export processes, customs and shipping procedures.

o Demonstrated ability to build cash flow models and manage procurement timelines; managing cross-functional planning processes that span Sales, Finance, and Procurement.

o Advanced Excel and strong competency in ERP, reporting, or planning tools.