Commercial Manager – Retail (Agriculture)

About the role

The Agricultural industry client is seeking a strategic Commercial Manager – Retail to lead and optimise the retail commercial function across South Africa. Reporting to the General Manager, you will shape strategy, drive sales performance and ensure profitable growth across all retail channels.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement integrated retail and commercial strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead category management, pricing, promotions and seasonal strategies.
• Manage retail P&L, forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis and cost optimisation.
• Optimise depot inventory levels and order bank processes to ensure availability and revenue realisation.
• Analyse market trends, customer behaviour and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities.
• Drive product portfolio optimisation and develop dashboards and KPI frameworks for data‑driven decisions.
• Lead R&D initiatives and digital optimisation of commercial systems, including sales and precision‑farming platforms.
• Build strong relationships with key customers, suppliers and industry stakeholders.
• Coach and develop high‑performing sales and commercial teams and ensure cross‑functional alignment.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Business, Finance, Economics or related field (MBA advantageous).
• Minimum 5 years senior experience in a commercial, sales or retail leadership role.
• Proven track record of revenue growth, margin improvement and commercial performance.
• Strong experience in retail environments, category management, pricing and promotions.
• Solid understanding of P&L management, forecasting and financial analysis.

Required skills

• ERP
• CRM