Market Intelligence Analyst

Core Mission

We are looking for a meticulous and strategic Market Intelligence Analyst to join our team. The ideal candidate will focus on analysing and reporting market trends across Sub-Saharan Africa, with an emphasis on breakbulk/bulk commodity logistics and trade flows. This role will play a key part in guiding and assisting the organization's decisions on investment, market entry strategies, and supply chain optimization and trading decisions.

Main Responsibilities

1. Market Research & Analysis: Perform in-depth market analysis across various sectors, including forecasting commodity prices, port activities, and trade volume trends in Sub-Saharan Africa markets. Benchmark strategies, pricing models, and innovations (e.g., technology adoption) of market players to identify opportunities for the organization to differentiate itself.
2. Trend Identification: Track and identify emerging trends in Sub-Saharan Africa, including developments in logistics, infrastructure growth, and fluctuations in trade volume. Prepare comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual reports that highlight key findings, offer actionable recommendations, and deliver strategic insights for senior leadership and key stakeholders.
3. Data Collection & Interpretation: Gather and analyse market data, including trading activities, price trends, and stock levels at key storage locations, with a focus on the logistics and port sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prepare both regular and ad-hoc reports that evaluate market outlooks, risks, and opportunities across key regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, concentrating on logistics, trade, and commodities.
4. Report Development: The Market Intelligence Analyst will create detailed reports on market trends, opportunities, risks, and forecasts specific to the African logistics sector. They will work closely with senior management and business development teams to convert insights into strategic initiatives. This includes supporting market entry assessments, identifying high-potential regions for logistics expansion, investment, or partnerships, and offering data-driven insights to inform key decisions related to port operations, new trade routes, or additional logistics services.
5. Competitor Analysis: Continuously monitor the competitive landscape and track strategic movements of major industry players. Build relationships with industry experts, analysts, and other stakeholders to stay updated on market developments and access exclusive data.
6. Economic & Political Landscape: Analyse how economic, political, and regulatory factors affect logistics and commodity flows. Stay updated about regional conflicts, policy changes, and trade restrictions that could disrupt logistics and trade within Sub-Saharan African markets.
7. Regional Market Insights & Collaboration: Provide actionable insights on key regional markets, identifying growth opportunities and potential risks. Work closely with cross-functional teams, such as business development, strategy, and commercial, to support informed decision-making processes.
8. Ad-Hoc Strategic Analysis: Provide timely, in-depth analysis on unexpected market changes, such as sudden price shifts or political disruptions, and evaluate the impact of short-term disruptions like strikes, weather events, or supply chain issues on African logistics and trade. Support the organization in navigating these challenges by offering quick, actionable insights.

Qualification & Experience

1. Bachelors degree in economics, Business, International Trade, or a related field.
2. A masters degree or MBA is a plus.
3. Proven experience (3+ years) in market intelligence, research, or analysis, preferably in logistics, commodities, or trading within Sub-Saharan Africa markets.
4. Strong understanding of the economic, political, and trade dynamics of Sub-Saharan Africa.
5. Familiarity with global logistics trends, port infrastructure, and commodities.
6. Excellent data analysis skills with proficiency in market research tools, Excel, and statistical software.
7. Ability to synthesize complex information and present it in clear, actionable reports.
8. Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage stakeholders at all levels.
9. High attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to work independently.

Preferred Skills:

1. Experience in analyzing the logistics and trades of commodities.
2. In-depth knowledge of key trade routes, port operations, and commodity flow across Sub-Saharan Africa.
3. Proficiency in French or other languages spoken in the Sub-Saharan region is a plus.
4. Capable of thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
5. Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
6. Strong understanding of the supply chain landscape, with the ability to tailor strategies to regional nuances.