The Role

The Supply Chain Commercial Manager is responsible for driving the commercial and financial performance of the end-to-end supply chain operation. The role focuses on managing supply chain costs, improving profitability, optimizing inventory and working capital, strengthening supplier commercial performance, and supporting strategic decision-making through financial analysis and business partnering. The incumbent will work closely with Procurement, Operations, and Finance teams to identify opportunities for cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and sustainable value creation while ensuring strong governance and commercial controls.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own and manage the supply chain cost base, including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis across procurement, warehousing, logistics, and inventory operations.

• Develop and maintain financial models to evaluate sourcing strategies, supplier proposals, capital investments, and cost-saving initiatives

• Partner with operational stakeholders to identify and implement margin improvement and operational efficiency opportunities

• Analyse supply chain costs and performance drivers to identify opportunities for improved profitability and cost optimization

• Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers, logistics providers, and service partners

• Evaluate supplier contracts and commercial agreements to maximize value and mitigate commercial risk

• Develop and monitor supplier performance scorecards and cost benchmarks

• Drive inventory optimization initiatives to improve working capital performance

• Deliver management reporting, dashboards, and KPI analysis

• Provide commercial recommendations and decision support to senior leadership

• Support pricing decisions through landed cost calculations and commercial evaluations

• Ensure compliance with financial controls, governance requirements, policies, and commercial standards

• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and supply chain risks

• Support month-end, year-end, audit, and business planning processes

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable cost savings and margin improvements

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:

• Supply Chain Cost Reduction

• Margin Improvement Initiatives Delivered

• Budget and Forecast Accuracy

• Supplier Commercial Performance Improvements

• Inventory and Working Capital Optimization

• Financial Reporting Accuracy and Timeliness

• Commercial Savings Achieved

• Governance and Compliance Adherence

• Continuous Improvement Initiatives Implemented

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• CA(SA) or CIMA qualification (Essential)

• Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience within supply chain, logistics, FMCG, retail, manufacturing, or related operational environments

• Proven experience in commercial finance, business partnering, and cost management

• Strong experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and financial analysis

• Demonstrated experience leading supplier negotiations and managing commercial agreements

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

• Experience working with ERP systems and business intelligence reporting tools

• Proven track record of delivering measurable cost savings and margin improvement initiatives

• Willingness to travel to various branches and operations sites as required

• Technical Experience required:

  • Commercial Finance Management

  • Budgeting and Forecasting

  • Financial Modelling and Analysis

  • Cost Management and Cost Optimisation

  • Supplier Negotiation and Commercial Contract Management

  • Inventory and Working Capital Management

  • Margin Improvement and Profitability Analysis

  • Advanced Excel

  • Supply Chain Cost Analysis

  • Procurement Commercials

  • Governance, Risk, and Compliance

• Behavioural Skills required:

  • Commercial Acumen

  • Analytical thinking

  • Influencing and Stakeholder Management

  • Strategic thinking

  • Effective communication

  • Results orientation

  • Problem solving

  • Adaptability