Commodity Overseas Business Lead(Africa/Egypt)

The Role

As a core member of our overseas expansion leadership team, you will oversee business development and operations acrossAfrica (Nigeria, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Republic of Congo), South America, and Egypt , focusing on commodity trading (energy and minerals) and new energy project development.

You will leverage deep local networks in underdeveloped markets to establish supply chains, secure natural resources, and build localized teams—transitioning from trading operations to integrated industrial investments.

Key Responsibilities

Regional Business Development & Trading

1. Lead commodity trading operations (Crude Oil, LPG, Glycerin, and agricultural products) across Africa and South America, meeting annual transaction targets while managing counterparty and geopolitical risks
2. Develop energy and mineral resource projects, including LPG procurement in Nigeria/Mozambique/Ethiopia/Congo, titanium and lithium mining concessions, and glycerin sourcing in South America
3. Build end-to-end supply chain networks in target regions, coordinating logistics, customs, and trade compliance for bulk commodity movements

Strategic Projects & Energy Transition

1. Scale up the existing USD 100M Egypt Chlor-Alkali facility in Ain Sokhna (Red Sea), exploring "Green Electricity + Chemical Industry" models, including direct power transmission partnerships (e.g., UAE-to-Egypt grid integration)
2. Identify cross-sector opportunities from agriculture (palm oil plantations, agri-processing) to industrial manufacturing, replicating successful models in new geographies
3. Establish presence in Indonesia and Vietnam to capture regional glycerin procurement markets

Government Relations & Strategic Partnerships

1. CultivateMinisterial-level/Cabinet-level relationships in target African and South American markets (Energy Ministries, Mining Ministries, Investment Boards), navigating regulatory frameworks and policy incentives
2. Partner with Chinese SOEs and local conglomerates to secure mining concessions, infrastructure BOT projects, and energy supply agreements
3. Manage political risk and stakeholder mapping in high-volatility markets

Team Building & Localization

1. Build and mentor in-country teams as business matures (current Egypt operation: 20 staff, primarily China-assigned; plan to transition toward localized hiring)
2. Develop hiring strategies and operational playbooks for high-risk regions, working closely with Singapore HQ (Trading, Finance, Admin)

Requirements

Professional Experience

1. 8+ years in international commodity trading (Energy, Minerals, or Agri-commodities)OR business development in energy/chemical infrastructure projects
2. Mandatory: Proven track record in at leasttwo of the three regions : Africa (Francophone/Lusophone preferred), South America, and Egypt/Middle East
3. Experience working in underdeveloped markets with limited infrastructure, including direct negotiation with government officials, parastatals, and local resource owners

Network & Capabilities

1. Government Access: Established relationships with Ministerial-level officials in African or South American resource ministries; ability to navigate opaque regulatory environments and secure project approvals
2. Trading Acumen: Deep understanding of Crude Oil, LPG, and/or mining value chains, including price hedging, logistics financing, and counterparty risk management
3. Cultural Agility: Strong understanding of Chinese SOE operating culture while possessing the cultural fluency to operate effectively in diverse emerging markets

Language & Education

1. Mandatory: Business-proficientMandarin Chinese and English (both working languages) as you need to engage with Chinese-speaking stakeholders
2. Preferred: Arabic, French, or Portuguese capabilities for regional coverage
3. Bachelor's degree or higher; background in International Business, Engineering, or Political Economy preferred

Personal Attributes

1. Willingness to travel extensively (40-60%) to field locations across Africa and South America
2. Entrepreneurial mindset with tolerance for ambiguity—this is a "build-from-scratch" role with evolving strategic priorities based on market opportunities
3. Experience transitioning from agricultural projects (palm oil, commodity agriculture) to industrial/chemical projects highly valued

Contact

[email protected]