Agri Business Head - Soya Bean

Role Overview

We are in search of a seasoned Agri Business Head to steer the commercial operations of our soya bean and soya meal trading activities in Zimbabwe. This senior-level role carries P&L responsibilities and involves end-to-end ownership of the commercial strategy encompassing sourcing, procurement, processing, and sales, primarily targeting B2B customers within the stock feed sectors such as poultry, dairy, pork, aquaculture, and pet food manufacturers.

Key Duties

• Craft and implement a commercial strategy aligned with corporate growth objectives covering the entire soya value chain including crushing margins and sales of meals and by-products.
• Lead B2B sales efforts, expanding business across stock feed producers, poultry integrators, and livestock farms through contract negotiations and account management.
• Manage sourcing of soya beans locally and regionally, coordinate procurement planning with operations, and oversee crushing-margin economics.
• Monitor global and regional soya meal pricing and manage foreign exchange risks, hedging, and logistics related to imports and exports.
• Identify new markets and clients, including exploring export opportunities, and represent the company at relevant industry forums and associations.
• Prepare regular financial and operational performance reports, administer budgets, manage CRM and credit facilities, and ensure compliance with applicable local regulations and authorities.
• Supervise and nurture a commercial team, establish performance benchmarks, conduct reviews, and develop succession plans.

Experience & Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Commerce, Marketing, or related field; postgraduate qualifications like an MBA in Agri-Business highly preferred.
• At least 7 to 10 years of progressive commercial experience in soya bean trading, oilseed processing, soya meal sales, or the stock feed industry.
• In-depth knowledge of the soya value chain, including bean procurement, processing economics, product specifications, and by-products.
• Should be well-versed in stock feed formulations and animal nutrition.
• Familiarity with Zimbabwean and SADC regional agricultural commodity markets and their pricing mechanisms (ZSAFE, SAFEX, CBOT).
• Proven track record of success in managing key accounts and driving revenue growth within commodity trading sectors.

Desirable Attributes

• Experience working in Southern Africa or other emerging markets is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Established contacts within regional feed millers, integrators, and agricultural traders.
• Knowledge of contract farming and smallholder farmer engagement programs.
• Multilingual capabilities including English with Shona or Ndebele preferred for local engagement.

Core Competencies & Skills

• Strong commercial negotiation skills capable of securing large-scale supply contracts.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with accountability for revenue generation and margin management.
• Excellent relationship management skills catering to farmers, millers, and integrators.
• Ability to navigate cross-cultural business environments regionally and internationally.
• Resilience and self-motivation in a dynamic, fast-paced commodity trading setting.
• Proficiency in Excel, CRM software, and ERP platforms such as SAP or Microsoft Dynamics.