PURPOSE:
KEY OBJECTIVES
To deliver a commercially successful social enterprise in shea kernel trading in Burkina Faso and Mali
 To build a quality smallholder supply chain in shea kernels
 To secure trading agreements for those shea kernels with industrial buyers
 To manage cost effective logistics that bring the shea kernels to the point of sale on time and at the quality required
Executive Director, TREE AID Enterprises RESPONSIBLE TO
RESPONSIBLE FOR All social enterprise staff
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MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
The main responsibilities of the Commercial Manager are to:
 Build up the Shea kernel trading platform in line with the business plan approved by the TREE AID board;
 Establish a fully functioning enterprise infrastructure in Ouagadougou (corporate structure, office, staff) according to the operational structure set out in the business plan;
 Establish a solid supply base structure in rural villages, based initially on the TREE
AID network of non timber forest product micro-entrepreneurs developed under the Village Tree Enterprise project network;
 Liaise with TREE AID Burkina Faso staff to ensure that operations are line with TREE
AID’s social mission and to ensure the effective delivery of the enterprise;
 Run the day to day Shea kernel trading business including negotiating prices with suppliers and international buyers overseas;
 Review and optimise trading strategies;
 Build and run the logistics systems for the kernel collection in the villages and the transport to the final buyers at the export sea terminals;
 Initiate and organise quality training and implement a solid quality and quantity control system;
 Develop and implement process flows to manage the various processes involved in the shea kernel trading platform;
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 Ensure that financial aspects and impacts of contractual obligations and commitments are within the risk parameters defined by the TREE AID Board;
 Provide regular reports to the Executive Director and to the TREE AID Enterprises
Board;
 Performance manage all staff members (accounting, secretary, driver, other assistants) to ensure they are able to fulfil their responsibilities effectively;
 Manage daily operations
 Contribute actively to the Global Shea Alliance’s initiatives to improve and enlarge the Shea kernel sourcing and trading;
 Provide effective external communication with wider stakeholders in the shea market.
 Any other tasks as required by the Executive Director and / or TREE AID Enterprises
Board.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
E = Essential D = Desirable
Experience / Skills
 Proven management and organisational skills
 Experience of leading teams and delivering results in a demanding commercial environment
 Experience in trading and logistics both in Burkina Faso and internationally
 Good understanding of agricultural or related supply chains
 Proven project management expertise
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including excellent IT skills
(Microsoft Office)
 Ability to connect with a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from rural female smallholders to international industrial buyers
 Sound business development and client relationship management skills
 Solid problem solving, decision making and analytical capabilities
 Financial acumen and the ability to interpret and analyse financial reports
 Good working knowledge of English (written and spoken) (desirable)
Minimum Education and Experience required
 Relevant Bachelor’s degree / Master’s degree (desirable)
 A minimum of 3 - 5 years relevant work experience
Personal Qualities
 Pro-active, self-starter
 Entrepreneurial with proven commercial nous
 Professional, focused and methodical in approach
Commitment to
 TREE AID's aims, values and objectives
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