Permanent - Commercial & Operations Manager - Johannesburg - South Africa The Commercial & Operations Manager leads the company's entire commercial and operational function across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana — overseeing national and regional sales performance, distribution strategy, revenue growth, market execution, and commercial operations. This role requires a commercially astute leader capable of balancing strategic direction with rigorous operational execution across direct and distributor‑led channels. Key Responsibilities Commercial strategy: Develop and execute commercial strategy across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. Lead long‑term revenue growth and market expansion initiatives. Identify new commercial opportunities, partnerships, and channels. Oversee pricing strategy, trade spend, and promotional effectiveness. Monitor competitor activity, market trends, and customer dynamics. Operational Alignment Partner with operations, logistics, procurement, and finance. Improve cross‑functional communication and collaboration. Align commercial planning with supply chain capabilities. Identify operational gaps and implement scalable processes. Drive reporting accuracy and process discipline. Team Development Build and maintain a high‑performance commercial culture. Mentor NSM and regional management capability. Ensure succession planning and talent development. Drive accountability, discipline and execution standards. Assist in recruitment and organisational structuring. Lead and manage the National Sales Manager across all regions and territories. Establish commercial KPIs, structures and accountability frameworks. Drive performance across direct and distributor channels in all three markets. Ensure strong field execution, merchandising and brand visibility. Conduct regular performance reviews with NSM and regional leadership. Manage commercial budgets and profitability targets. Analyse sales data and market trends for strategic decisions. Oversee debtors management in collaboration with finance. Contribute to annual budgeting and forecasting processes. Key Performance Areas Revenue growth Distribution growth and market penetration Execution standards across regions and territories Team performance and leadership development Operational alignment and process efficiency Customer retention and growth Commercial reporting accuracy Minimum Requirements Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Business, Commerce, Sales, Marketing or a related field – Leadership or commercial management qualifications advantageous. Experience 8–10 years in FMCG commercial operations. Proven leadership of national or multiregional sales teams. Strong grasp of distribution and route‑to‑market models. Experience managing senior leadership personnel. Demonstrated success in driving commercial growth. Experience operating across Southern African markets advantageous. Required Competencies Strong commercial and financial acumen. Strategic leadership capability. High discipline and accountability. Strong operational understanding. People leadership and coaching ability. Analytical and data‑driven decision‑making. Strong communication and negotiation skills. Systems thinking and process discipline. High adaptability in fast‑paced environments. #J-18808-Ljbffr