Senior Commercial Manager at De Beers Group

Job Description:

• The purpose of this role is to lead and strategically manage the commercial functions of the company (inclusive of the finance & supply chain functions), ensuring financial integrity, appropriate pricing, cross-border tax compliance, and operational efficiency across finance and supply chain divisions.
• The role is pivotal in supporting regional expansion, managing complex projects (e.g., mergers, SAP integrations), and fostering sustainable commercial relationships across Southern Africa. 
• The role is responsible for the fiduciary duties, ensuring the long-term viability of the business through sound financial management, optimal capital expenditure and good governance.
• The incumbent is required to partner with peers and stakeholders on all operational and strategic issues as they arise and provide strategic recommendations

Accountable for unit’s strategic commitments through leading the commercial services team to deliver requirements of the business, its clients and stakeholders:

• Strategic Leadership & EXCO Participation: Serve as a key member of the Executive Committee, contributing to strategic decision-making. Drive commercial strategy aligned with regional growth objectives, particularly in Namibia and emerging Southern African markets.
• Finance Management: Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes. Ensure compliance with South African and cross-border taxation regulations. Manage employee rates and cost structures across jurisdictions.
• Lead financial due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.
• Supply Chain Oversight: Optimize procurement and logistics operations across Southern Africa. Support the negotiation and management of sales agreements, supplier agreements and service contracts.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives and supply chain risk mitigation strategies.
• Project & Systems Management: Lead SAP integration and other enterprise system implementations. Manage commercial aspects of strategic projects including mergers and regional expansions. Ensure alignment of commercial systems with operational and financial goals.
• Cross-Border Taxation & Compliance: Develop and implement tax strategies for operations in Namibia and other Southern African countries. Liaise with legal and tax advisors to ensure compliance with international tax laws. Monitor changes in regional tax legislation and assess business impact.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external key stakeholders’ regional partners, government entities, and suppliers. Represent the company in commercial negotiations and strategic forums.
• Sound long-term financial planning, modelling, reporting in line with De Beers Group requirements
• Provide strategic & commercial input into to business opportunities, options and scenarios and business planning
• Oversee long-term budget planning, forecasting and cost management in alignment with De Beers Group and Clients strategic plans
• Monitoring the use of funds; engagement with De Beers Group Treasury or outside financiers (where applicable) and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions and capital funding thereof.
• Effectively manage the business’s EBIDTA, FCF, Dividends and funding requirements.
• Continual refinement of smarter information systems, optimising systems, trend analysis and benchmarking against agreed measures.
• Sound commercial policies and agreements with clients and service providers
• Development and management of the pricing strategy
• Preparation of financial statements for De Beers Marine Board ratification
• Local and international taxation management and compliance – Income tax, VAT, Customs & Excise etc.
• Identify and manage risk for business and eliminate risk exposure
• Management of Company Insurance Portfolio and legal matters
• Evaluate new capital and major projects from a financial/profitability framework and makes recommendations
• Evaluate the company’s business and services rendered in the country and outside and evaluate tax exposures, obtain opinions, address the risks and implement the required processes to comply with legislation.
• Manage the setting up of branches or regional companies for effective management of permanent establishments and offering services in the Clients counties of origin.
• Appropriate management of all company agreements
• Materials Management and inventory, equipment control and logistics.
• Governance and Internal controls and regulatory requirements, including sound audit processes
• Lead the Management of vendor strategy and ensure effective long-term agreements with key suppliers.
• Support operational effectiveness by ensuring that the right services and equipment are available to the business on time and at the most optimal cost within a governance framework focusing on mitigating commercial risk to the Company.
• Ensure effective execution of preferential procurement strategy of the company to meet regulatory requirements of the company

Qualifications:

Formal qualifications:

• Chartered Accountant (SA) with 10 years of post-article experience

Knowledge & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in commercial management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.  Proven experience in senior management level, leading a team of professionals
• Proven experience in cross-border taxation, financial planning, and project management.
• Strong understanding of EPCM business models and regional dynamics in Southern Africa.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems.
• Solid experience in fulfilling its fiduciary duties
• Experience in managing additional support services such Supply Chain/Procurement
• Understand Company value drivers and embed in team to deliver streamlined solutions and improvement opportunities to move the business forward
• Understands and applies strategic understanding of best practice in finance and procurement.
• Knowledge of international corporate taxation
• Financial Modelling, business planning, modelling and reporting skills
• Risk Management

Closing Date:

• 12 September, 2025