Senior Commercial Manager, Africa

Senior Commercial Manager, Africa

Based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Permanent, full time and local contract

Field travels : 30%

Starting date : June 2025

PUR Description

PUR is a global, impact-focused B-Corp specializing in the development of environmental restoration projects, known as 'nature-based solutions' (NbS). Since 2008, we have been helping the world’s largest organizations meet their ESG targets, reduce their environmental footprint, and regenerate the ecosystems they depend on across complex supply chains. Having developed over 45 projects in more than 30 countries, PUR is recognized as both a pioneer and leader in a sector that is now at the forefront of global efforts to address the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis.

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to fostering and operationalizing insetting strategies—interventions by companies within their own value chains designed to reduce GHG emissions while creating positive impacts for communities, landscapes, and ecosystems. By championing this insetting approach, we aim to create a holistic range of benefits that extend beyond ecological restoration, encompassing social and economic dimensions through enhanced agricultural yields and resilience to climate change-induced stresses, among others.

One of the distinctive features of our work is our ability to tailor projects to the specific needs of different regions and communities. By recognizing the unique characteristics of each ecosystem and the cultural context of the communities involved, we ensure our initiatives are contextually relevant and have a meaningful and sustainable impact. All our projects are developed in close collaboration with local actors, including cooperatives, NGOs, governments, and corporations.Today, we employ 200 staff across 16 countries with key offices in Paris (HQ) and Toronto.

Industry

PUR operates within the dynamic and rapidly evolving sector of environmental consultancy services and nature-based solutions markets. These markets are closely linked with the voluntary carbon markets (VCM) when NbS projects produce carbon credits that can be traded on the VCM. The NbS market has recently gained traction as society recognizes the invaluable services provided by nature and the need to preserve, restore, and harness these services to mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges. To be considered a nature-based solution, projects must effectively address real societal challenges and offer strong environmental, economic, and social benefits for local communities.

Market KPIs:

• If combined with deep decarbonization efforts, NbS projects could provide up to 30% of the mitigation needed to limit global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels by 2030 (World Economic Forum, 2023).

• NbS project credits make up the largest volumes of carbon credits available in the VCM and continue to attract the most investment, with $9 billion invested between 2020 and 2022 (Sylvera, 2023).

• In 2021, the VCM was estimated to be worth $2 billion, four times its 2020 value. By 2030, the market is expected to reach $10 to $40 billion (BCG, 2022).

• 5,307 companies have set science-based targets—a 4.2x increase since 2022—and are a significant driver of demand within the NbS and VCM markets (SBTi, 2024).

• To meet their SBTi targets and mitigate their climate-risk exposure, organizations around the world will need to invest in the type of projects PUR develops. Today, very few market players have a proven track record in NbS project implementation, and PUR is therefore well-positioned to benefit from the market’s expansion.

Role Overview:

Based in Abidjan, you will expand PUR’s commercial market presence, manage key client and stakeholder relationships, and evolve PUR’s commercial offer for insetting and nature-based solutions projects in the region, with a focus on cocoa and coffee supply chains. This role coordinates commercial project narratives, regional contract integrations, and delivering commercial reporting for the region.

Reporting to the VP Commercial, with strong collaboration and engagement with the Africa Regional Manager, you will work and collaborate closely with the Global Commercial Leads and Country Managers. The role involves up to 30% field travel.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Commercial Strategy and Business Development

• Develop and implement consolidated commercial strategies and go-to-market offers for African Region focusing on insetting and nature-based solutions projects, in close partnership with regional operations management and global commercial teams;

• Ensure commercial offers align with PUR's mission and goals, while maintaining competitive and client-focused offers informed by market trends and feedback;

• Partner with Business Development Team to tailor commercial offers that are market appropriate and contextualized for appropriate sectors; ensure such offers align with due diligence requirements and meet project financing requirements.

2. Client/Stakeholder Management and Industry Representation

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, supply chain partners, and other key regional stakeholders, in collaboration with the regional operations team;

• Represent the organization at regional client, industry and Government events, enhancing visibility and influence;

• Coordinate client contract commitments across investment landscapes, communities, and projects, working with global business development and key account management teams;

• Participate in strategic, coordinated engagement of key clients and prospects through multi-regional and multi-stakeholder approaches.

3. Client Reporting

• Lead the consolidation of client level reports, leveraging data, knowledge and insights communicated by Country Managers and in coordination with the Global Account Management team.

4. Leadership and Team Management

• Establish the Africa Commercial Organization in collaboration with Africa Regional Manager and Global Commercial Leadership.

• Recruit, train, mentor and manage a regional commercial team in support of reporting, project accounting and coordination. Direct oversight of at least one direct report.

• Contribute to global commercial governance and ensure efficient processes; in alignment with the operations of partner Regional Commercial Managers in Latam and Asia.

• Resource teams, and budgets, effectively to support execution plans and roadmaps.

• Foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainability within the Africa Office, and support cross-functional coordination of internal stakeholders (Business Development, Account Management, Operations, Design, Data, Finance, Legal and Impact Teams).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Growth in new revenue for project region

• Effective provision of contractual deliverables

• Strong client satisfaction and retention across projects in region

• Increased Visibility at governmental / industry network levels in West Africa

Required Skills & Expertise:

Technical Expertise

• 10+ years of experience managing large accounts and handling long, complex B2B sales.

• Experience in sustainable agriculture, nature-based solutions, and sustainable development. Strong understanding of sustainability, impact investment, and commodities markets.

• Knowledge of carbon and West African governmental policies and experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa with a strong understanding of local cultures.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.

• Results driven. Successful experience in commercial management, contract integration, project management, or regional leadership.

• Ability to build strong relationships, navigate complex situations, work collaboratively across departments and establish long-term partnerships.

• Skilled in using commercial reporting tools, CRM systems, and project management software.

• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.

• Fluency in French and English.

• Availability to travel for client engagements and industry representation.

At PUR, we strive to build inclusive teams and an equitable workplace where our employees feel respected, supported, and empowered. As a global company operating across six continents, we recognize that diversity in the workplace is essential to achieving our mission.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, gender, colour, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other aspect that makes them unique.

PUR is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment. If you require accommodation or consideration throughout the interview process, let us know, and we will do our best to support you.