Commercial Lead at Warc

Our Vision & Mission: At Warc Africa, we envision a future where Africa nourishes the world while its farmers become the stewards of its fertile soils. Our mission is straightforward: uplift farmers from poverty through regenerative farming practices. We've already positively impacted the lives of more than 100,000 people, increasing their income and improving livelihoods. Our rapid growth has created thousands of rural jobs and facilitated the movement of tens of thousands of tons of crops to become food for the country. But we’re just getting started. Our vision extends beyond Ghana, to West Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa, where we aim to empower one million farmers, helping them generate hundreds of millions of dollars while becoming climate heroes in the process. We’ve already laid the foundation and are now looking for passionate individuals to join us on this transformative journey.

Our Roots & Reach:

Born from hands-on experience, Warc Africa has grown into a diverse team of 250 full time from 16 countries. In Ghana's Upper West Region, we serve over 22,000 farmers, and have a footprint in Sierra Leone and our eyes across the continent. Our 100 female-run Trading Hubs put us closer to the farmer than anyone else - allowing us to solve problems of productive inputs, knowledge, and markets. We’re now ready to transform how we serve farmers across the continent.

About the Job

As our Area Commercial Lead, you’ll be central to Warc’s success. This year alone we’re expecting to work with 40,000 farmers across 5 districts in the Upper West Region – and it’s only going to keep going up each year. You’ll be in charge of a geographic area that spans across a few Mega Hub sites and its network of feeder Trading Hubs. Taking charge of day-to-day management of sales and sourcing activity, you’ll report directly to our Head of Commercial, and work alongside your fellow Area Commercial Leads, making sure Warc’s Trading Hub teams – the WoW – are trained, equipped and working cohesively as a unit to serve farmer needs on sales & knowledge, and being closer to the farmer than anyone else when it comes to purchasing produce. Tracking sales and purchases data, focusing on increasing customer penetration, and building strong relationships with farmers are key elements of this role. You’ll need to be organized, detailed, and have strong coordination skills to succeed in this role.

Responsibilities & Deliverables:

·       Sets clear goals and expectations for Trading Hub Managers and Commercial Associates Measures performance, provides feedback, and holds the team accountable

·       Owns and delivers operational excellence for assigned areas, including safety, productivity, financial and labor planning, sales, and purchase goals.

·       Responsible for providing tactical short-term daily planning including labor planning, and rate forecasting.

·       Effectively leverages the Trading hub Managers and Commercial Associates to solicit ideas and understand problems and challenges in your area.

·       Drives continuous improvement projects to optimize commercial operations and improve productivity to meet and exceed business objectives; works on strategic projects that have area-wide and network-wide impact.

·       Works closely with support staff (HR, Finance, Maintenance, Procurement, and other leaders) to build and secure support and resources for projects and initiatives

·       Networks with other leaders across the network to solicit and share process improvements and drive efficiencies and cost savings.

·       Mentors and develops Commercial Associates and Trading Hub

Basic qualification

·       A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and 5+ experience

·       Experience with performance sales and/or purchases metrics, process improvement, and Lean methodologies

·       Direct supervisory experience, including a salaried workforce, in a manufacturing, production, distribution, logistics environment or related industry

·       Candidates must be Flexible to work a variety of hours as business demands, including weekends during peak season

·       Have a license to operate a motorcycle in Ghana (or willingness to get one)

Preferred Qualifications

·       Ability to handle changing priorities and use good judgment in stressful situations

·       Degree in Sales, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related technical Yield; MBA or master’s degree preferred

·       Demonstrated ability to successfully develop others into higher levels in an organization

Professional traits that are not unique to this position, but necessary for Warc leaders:

·       Results-oriented

·       Has relentlessly high standards

·       Passionate about improving the lives of smallholder farmers in Africa

·       Exhibits excellent judgment

·       Thinks strategically, but stays on top of tactical execution

·       Passion for invention; expects and requires innovation from the team

·       Has the ability to inspire passion in others

·       Thrives in an ambiguous work environment

·       Wants to have fun at work