International Sales Manager

Olam Palm Gabon – a joint venture with the government of Gabon – is part of our plan to support the development of the agricultural economy – to broad-base the Gabon economy, reduce food imports, create employment opportunities and tackle poverty in the country.

In 2022, OPG delivered a net volume of over 100,000 tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO). We have established reliable and regular trade flows with EU customers through annual supply agreements as proposed EU legislation is seeing demand strengthening for traceable supplies that do not contribute to deforestation, and deepened vessel chartering capabilities to support increasing volumes of CPO exports.

Job Purpose

1. Responsible for Planning and execution of sales of CPO and CPKO production from Gabon palm plantations within regional markets in Africa and Europe
2. Manage price risks through timely hedging of CPO and currency through OGH brokers/ treasury team.
3. Vessel planning and chartering to ensure on-time shipment of all palm products in close coordination with mills & local logistics team.

Job Description

1. Develop Annual sales budget and Monthly exports sales plans, in conjunction with the Mills production and Refinery consumption.
2. Manage physical stocks within the country to ensure desired product qualities and meet the monthly exports plans.
3. Manage customer relationships within the region and in Europe to ensure sales contracts in line with budget plans.
4. Monitor CPO S&D in key regional markets to anticipate possible demand changes and detailed knowledge of various import duties structure in Africa & Europe for veg oils
5. Monitor key market prices (BMD/ Indonesia/Rotterdam) and trends to enable best pricing of physical sales.
6. Manage & execute hedging (F&O) in BMD to minimize price risks of CPO.
7. Manage currency risks through back-to-back hedging of MYR against CPO hedging operations.
8. Ensure correct reporting of hedge positions and exposure on a weekly and monthly basis.
9. Monitor sea freight trends to enable sharpest pricing to each of the destination ports, develop regional and global benchmarks for freight costs.
10. Enter sales contracts with customers, while balancing the inland logistics constraints, tank space constraints and regional vessel availability
11. Enter into bulk tanker charter party agreements for planned physical shipments.
12. Manage and execute the charter party agreements, in coordination with the shipping brokers and local logistics team.
13. Monitor and ensure zero demurrage of vessels at load port; ensure chargeback of discharge port demurrages if any to the respective customer(s)
14. Monitor and ensure loaded product quality in line with contracted commitments.
15. Ensure timely payment of all export related costs, including vessel freights, DAs, surveyor charges etc.
16. Ensure product quality and stock accuracy within the physical supply chain through process controls in transport and storage.
17. Ensure timely invoicing and documentation for all exports and timely collection of export proceeds.

Technical Requirements

1. Vegoil international trade, including FOSFA & RSPO contracts, INCOTERMS & knowledge of various import duties dynamics for all relevant countries in Africa & Europe
2. Institutional/ large supplier Relationship Management
3. Vessel Chartering; knowledge of Vegoil Voy contracts desirable
4. Proven capabilities in Negotiation
5. Effective Communication in English, working knowledge of French an added advantage
6. Teamwork and Collaboration
7. High on personal and professional integrity

Requirements

1. 10 years’ experience in exports / international trade, with 4-5 years in CPO sales & exports (with focus on bulk / liquid cargo)
2. MBA preferably in International trade
3. Experience in hedging desirable
4. Analytical skillsets (Advanced Excel)

Olam is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, nationality, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants are requested to complete all required steps in the application process including providing a resume/CV in order to be considered for open roles.