Business Development Representative - Local Cocoa/Coffee Market

About the Role

AfricaWork is seeking an experienced Business Development Representative to join our client's team in Lagos, Nigeria. This role is crucial for enhancing sourcing operations and fostering robust partnerships within Nigeria's vibrant cocoa and coffee industries. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the agricultural commodity market and a proven track record in business development and supply chain management.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive market research to track cocoa and coffee market trends, price fluctuations, production forecasts, and supply chain dynamics.
• Identify, assess, and onboard new suppliers, including cooperatives, traders, aggregators, exporters, and logistics providers.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, lasting relationships with all significant stakeholders throughout the cocoa and coffee value chains.
• Assist with procurement and sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, and the coordination of transactions.
• Oversee supplier performance, ensuring strict adherence to contractual obligations and operational standards.
• Manage commercial documentation, contracts, supplier records, and compliance files meticulously.
• Guarantee compliance with all relevant local regulations, export requirements, quality standards, traceability protocols, and sustainability policies.
• Coordinate quality control inspections, supervise loading procedures, and verify shipment quantities and specifications.
• Undertake supplier visits, farm inspections, warehouse assessments, and operational evaluations.
• Represent the company at key industry events, conferences, trade fairs, and stakeholder meetings.
• Generate regular reports detailing market developments, sourcing activities, supplier performance, identified risks, and potential business opportunities.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Agronomy, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Economics, International Trade, Commerce, or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of three years of pertinent experience in sourcing, procurement, trading, or business development within the cocoa, coffee, or broader agricultural commodities sector.
• In-depth knowledge of cocoa and coffee markets, their respective supply chains, quality grading systems, and export procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in managing suppliers, executing procurement processes, and conducting market intelligence gathering.
• Familiarity with commodity trading practices and established agricultural sourcing networks.
• Proficiency in analytical tasks, reporting, negotiation, and relationship management.
• Strong command of Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools.
• Capacity to work autonomously and effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, onsite position based in Lagos State, Nigeria.