About the Role
Robert Walters is proud to partner with a leading paints and coatings manufacturer and distributor in their search for an exceptional Head of Commercial. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will spearhead the organization's overarching commercial strategy, driving profitable growth across sales, distribution, retail development, and customer experience. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to shape the market presence of an established industry leader across Nigeria.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and execute the overall commercial strategy to deliver revenue, margin, and market-share growth.
- Lead sales, distribution, key accounts, project and technical sales, and customer experience operations.
- Expand and optimize the distributor, dealer, and retail network strategically across Nigeria.
- Drive the growth and profitability of the retail store network, including new-store rollouts and underperforming-store turnarounds.
- Build project, technical, and B2B sales into significant, scalable growth channels.
- Own commercial forecasting, pricing, budgeting, performance reporting, and key commercial KPIs.
- Manage channel profitability, trade terms, credit exposure, and overall commercial risks.
- Build, coach, and retain a high-performing commercial leadership team.
- Collaborate closely with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, HR, and Technical teams to achieve business objectives.
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Engineering, or a related field; an MBA is a distinct advantage.
- 15+ years of relevant commercial and sales experience, including substantial senior leadership exposure.
- Strong industry background in FMCG, building materials, paints and coatings, or consumer products.
- Proven track record of delivering substantial revenue and gross-margin growth.
- In-depth knowledge of Nigerian distribution networks and route-to-market dynamics.
- Demonstrated experience managing a P&L, large commercial teams, and multi-channel operations.
- Strong commercial, financial, analytical, and executive stakeholder-management skills.
- Competitive executive compensation package with performance-based incentives.
- Comprehensive health insurance and wellness benefits.
- Opportunity to lead strategic expansion and drive business transformation at an executive level.
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment with a global recruitment partner.