Commercial Director

Location : Paris, France / Contonou, Benin

Wenham Carter Recruitment firm is hiring on behalf of a solar energy startup that is providing innovative solar energy solutions to Africa.

To take them to their next phase of growth, they are now looking for a Commercial Director who can build and shape an effective C&I go to market strategy for B2B renewable energy sales in French speaking African markets.

Job Responsibilities :

• Drive the growth strategy of the following 3 business segments : C&I, construction and operation of mini-grids for third parties (EPC+O&M contract) and direct sales
• Support the strengthening of our activities outside Benin and the opening of subsidiaries in new countries, including the DRC and Côte d'Ivoire
• Establish strategic partnerships to support growth (multi-site key account customers, financial partners for our customers, outsourcing partnerships or strategic consortiums, business introducers, etc.)
• Participate in the definition of commercial offers with the technical teams and the Management
• Supervise and grow the sales and marketing teams in all subsidiaries and propose a recruitment plan in line with growth objectives
• Establish and monitor a budget, in collaboration with the local and Group finance teams

Qualifications :

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in a purely commercial function
• Proven experience in multi-segment and / or multi-country business management
• Proven experience in African markets, particularly in one or more of our target markets
• Demonstrated ability to create a strong relationship with local commercial and industrial players. Ease in commercial negotiation
• Sector experience preferably in the solar energy sector or more broadly in the energy sector or attraction for highly technical sectors
• Fluency in French and English

If you would be interested to learn more, please apply with your CV and we will be in touch to discuss further.

We aim to respond to all applicants as quickly as possible within 2-4 weeks.