The posting
Who are we?
SOLEVO is a leading distributor of chemicals and inputs for specific industrial and agricultural segments in Africa. SOLEVO assists African farmers and Industries succeed by providing them with a full range of fertilizers, seeds, crop protection products and industrial chemicals they need with a guaranteed quality and good value. With over 75 years at the frontier of economic growth and transformation across Africa, we deliver critical raw materials and expertise to the continent’s high GDP-contributing life sciences and industrials sectors.
What do we expect from the candidate?
The Business Manager – Animal Feed will be responsible for building, structuring and developing Solevo’s Animal Feed segment across the animal nutrition value chain - from feed ingredients,additives and premixes to compound feed production and poultry, livestock and aquaculture farming - in the Group’s countries of operation and in new geographies.ingredients,additives and premixes to compound feed production and poultry, livestock and aquaculture farming - in the Group’s countries of operation and in new geographies.
The role defines the feed product and supplier portfolio, sets up the Road-To-Market together with the commercial teams in the subsidiaries, and designs the segment organisation required to serve feed mills, premix producers, integrated producers and farmers. The role is in the front line with suppliers and principals, customers, commercial teams and management, acts as the Group’s technical and commercial reference for animal nutrition, and leverages synergies with the Group’s Agriculture and Food & Nutrition activities.
The role holds overall responsibility for the segment’s budget, gross margin, working capital and value creation across all countries in scope.
The key responsibilities:
Segment Strategy & Structuring
- Define and implement the Group Animal Feed segment strategy by species (poultry, aquaculture, ruminants, swine) and customer type, set country priorities and identify new target geographies.
- Design, adapt and maintain the feed segment organisation (segment roles, technical sales and nutrition specialists, country relays) together with the Business Line Director, the Regional Business Managers and HR.
- Build and execute country feed development plans with the subsidiaries, and replicate successful models from one subsidiary to others and to new geographies.
- Map key accounts (feed mills, premix producers, integrated producers, hatcheries, distributors) and, together with the commercial teams, define the ideal Road-To-Market for each product (direct sales to industrial accounts, distributor and agro-dealer networks, tenders, back-to-back trading).
Product & Supplier Portfolio
- Define the ideal feed portfolio (e.g. vitamins and premixes, amino acids, feed phosphates and minerals, enzymes, mycotoxin binders, acidifiers and preservatives, probiotics, concentrates, and feed hygiene and biosecurity products) to create optimum value for customers and stakeholders.
- Assess, substitute and complete the portfolio by cutting and structuring the long tail, and develop value-added services (feed formulation support, raw material and mycotoxin analysis, feed mill and farm trials, local stock, premix blending and repackaging).
- Prospect and acquire new suppliers and principals, negotiate terms with key and new principals, and manage distribution agreements together with Legal; assess, replace and develop existing suppliers.
- Ensure that products meet customer specifications, feed safety and quality standards, local registration and import requirements, and Group EHSQ standards for storage, handling and transport.
Market Development
- Provide the commercial teams with market intelligence (livestock and aquaculture production trends, feed raw material prices, competitors, pricing) and technical expertise in animal nutrition.
- Lead product registration and import authorisation processes with veterinary and regulatory authorities, together with the subsidiaries.
- Promote the portfolio to customers through technical visits, trials and seminars, train sales teams and stakeholders on applications and innovations, and represent Solevo at industry events.
- Support the commercial teams to expand the commercial reach to new customers, species and geographies, including through the Group’s agricultural distribution network.
Budgeting & Financial KPIs
- Together with the Business Line Director and the Regional Business Managers, build the segment budgets and forecasts.
- Manage the working capital (inventory and receivables) of each product group, taking into account product shelf life and seasonality, and review capital allocation across the portfolio.
- Monitor and take decisions based on the value creation of the different products and product groups, and prepare quarterly reporting for management, customers and principals.
Management
- Lead, coach and develop the feed segment team; together with the Regional Business Managers, assess and adapt the salespeople in charge of the segment.
- Ensure staff development through training, in coordination with HR.
- Ensure compliance with internal procedures, including: internal regulations, QHSE, information security, and procedures for travel, leave, business trips, loan requests, representation expenses, justification of any absences, and all other procedures published on the Solevo Intranet or communicated by Management.
M&A & Systems
- Together with the Business Line Director, assess, support and evaluate target companies in the animal nutrition space, and leverage portfolios and principals between Solevo and the target companies.
- Manage the product nomenclature and reporting in the ERP with the relevant IT stakeholders, in alignment with the other Product and Business Managers.
If you possess…
Must-Have:
- Master’s degree (5 years of higher education) in Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Agronomy, Veterinary Medicine or a related field.
- An MBA is a plus.
- A minimum of 8 years of experience in animal nutrition or animal feed (sales, technical sales or business development) with a feed additive or premix manufacturer, a distributor, a feed producer or an integrated livestock company, of which at least 2 years in a product, segment or business development management role..
- Proven track record in African markets; experience in West, Central or Southern Africa is a plus
Nice-to-Have:
- Strong knowledge of the animal feed value chain, from feed raw materials and additives to compound feed production and farm performance.
- Sound understanding of animal nutrition, feed formulation and feed safety (mycotoxins, pathogens, quality control).
- Knowledge of product registration, import and feed safety regulations in the region.
- Good understanding of financial KPIs, P&L, balance sheet and working capital, and of the value creation concept.
- Understanding of global sourcing, logistics and stock management of feed products (shelf life, seasonality, raw material price volatility); proficiency in ERP systems.
If you are…
- Entrepreneurial, results-driven and able to tackle complex problems.
- Strong leader, able to mentor commercial and technical teams and work effectively in remote, multicultural settings.
- Excellent communication in English and French; Portuguese and/or Arabic is a plus. Available for frequent travel across Africa and Europe
Why join Solevo?
- Join a young dynamic team who is leading the chemical distribution on the African continent.
- Enjoy a collaborative, international and agile work environment.
- Be part of a team where freedom, initiative and ‘thinking out of the box’ is key.
- Opportunity to work in a growing versatile environment.
- Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits package.
- Explore opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
Then, this job is for you!
How to join us?
If you’re excited about this position, we encourage you to submit your resume detailing your relevant experience and be part of our exciting journey.
What's next ?
If your profile matches our search, you will be contacted by our HR team for a first contact.
Please be informed that we will keep your profile to contact you for future professional opportunities.
