Specialist, Commercial

About the Role

First Quantum operates with a distinct culture that encourages people to think boldly, challenge standard approaches, and find smarter ways to solve problems and achieve results. In this environment, the company looks for individuals who can work independently, spot opportunities, and contribute to strong outcomes in demanding settings.

Role Overview

The Specialist, Commercial position is based at Kansanshi within the Commercial Department, Contracts Section, and reports to the Superintendent, Contracts. The role sits at Grade 17 and is focused on shaping category strategy for the business spend portfolio, managing key internal and external relationships, and resolving complex supply issues.

Primary Purpose

This role is responsible for partnering with Kansanshi Operations stakeholders to create and implement a category strategy across the managed spend portfolio. It involves working closely with operational sponsors and senior leaders at supply partners, leading end-to-end sourcing activities, and strengthening supplier performance through structured procurement and commercial practices.

Key Responsibilities

The position requires compliance with all applicable company policies, procedures, legal obligations, and standards related to health, safety, environment, quality, finance, human resources, and other relevant regulations.

Safety

The specialist is expected to uphold a strong safety culture by maintaining excellent health and safety standards, following Kansanshi safety policies, leading by example, and demonstrating behaviours aligned with zero tolerance for unsafe practices.

Procurement Strategy Development and Application

• Work with stakeholders to build a business-wide category strategy for the relevant spend portfolio.
• Understand long-term operational needs and translate them into sourcing plans.
• Research the market, assess the supply landscape, and identify potential risks within the spend category.
• Perform risk modelling and analysis, then define mitigation measures.
• Support supply chain improvement initiatives and performance enhancements.
• Maintain control over documentation such as work instructions, templates, forms, and procedures.
• Promote automation in the Commercial function, including greater use of Power BI reporting and an automated Service Request platform that tracks each stage of request handling, identifies Contracts Officer workloads, and flags overdue items.

Supplier Evaluation, Selection and Relationship Management

• Develop and pursue alternative sourcing options.
• Assess suppliers and prepare recommendations based on analysis.
• Build a strong understanding of demand and supply across operational departments.
• Take a lead role in tracking supplier performance and improving outcomes.
• Maintain supplier data and carry out data analysis, reviews, and evaluations.
• Review and prepare accurate scopes of work so that terms and conditions are enforceable.

Sourcing, Negotiation and Execution

• Negotiate, draft, and recommend agreements with external parties while balancing price, commercial value, and legal risk.
• Evaluate and advise on contractual terms based on operational requirements.
• Lead supplier discussions and meetings, including the exchange of information with vendors.
• Drive negotiations with strategic partners and prospective vendors.
• Review existing supply agreements and look for ways to improve them.
• Manage the tender process from start to finish.
• Use contract templates to prepare agreements suitable for the portfolio.
• Handle contract management, implementation, and execution.
• Prepare and continuously review standard contracts and related legal documents, including those linked to research, enterprise activity, and commercialization.

Service Delivery

• Track contract status and expiry dates to ensure timely renewals or replacements.
• Manage supplier and operational relationships effectively.
• Resolve issues raised by suppliers and customers.
• Support operational forecasting and planning.
• Analyse operational needs, including technical requirements, scope development, and associated risks.
• Contribute to project management and implementation activities.
• Provide technical assistance when needed.
• Deliver training where required.
• Prepare reports and perform performance analysis.

General Duties

• Support alignment of the Commercial function within the wider Kansanshi context.
• Provide advice, direction, and support to the management team.
• Carry out other tasks and projects as assigned by the manager.

Typical Challenges

The role may involve securing stakeholder buy-in, working with incomplete or inaccurate operational forecasts and historical information, resolving complex supply and project matters without affecting milestones, handling conflict between Operations and suppliers, and maintaining trusted relationships across the business. It also requires the ability to influence supply markets, evaluate supplier performance, and prepare detailed scopes of work that clearly define business needs, timing, methods, measurement, and performance expectations.

Qualifications

All academic qualifications and results must be verified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).

A bachelor’s degree is required in a commercial, engineering, quantity surveying, or financial discipline.

Licences and Certifications

The successful candidate must be a member of a statutory body.

Language Requirement

Strong written and spoken English skills are essential.

Experience

A minimum of 5 years’ experience is required. The ideal background includes work in the resource sector or another asset-intensive industry, at least 5 years leading or supervising a commercial/contracts team, end-to-end category management with measurable value delivery, and proven ability to influence stakeholders across a broad and diverse group. Candidates should also bring solid knowledge of procurement principles, successful delivery of large and complex projects, market knowledge and knowledge management, risk analysis, strategic and tactical negotiation, vendor and contract drafting/management, and experience working in international or virtual team environments.

Behavioural Attributes

The role calls for strong relationship-building, consulting ability, confidence working with people at all levels, conflict resolution, structured decision-making, resilience under pressure, adaptability, strong problem-solving capability, and the ability to work effectively in virtual teams.

Technical and Operational Requirements

Applicants should be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. The role also demands commercial judgement, negotiation capability, effective time management, strong personal organisation, strategic and analytical thinking, the ability to present persuasive strategies and business cases, influence-based delivery, change management skills, and the ability to facilitate sessions and/or train others.

Additional Information

First Quantum encourages interested candidates to stay connected with company career updates. Internal applicants who are already employees should use their Workday account and navigate through Career Hub to browse and apply for this opportunity internally.