MMD Job Description – Commercial & Product Development Lead
1. Job Information
Functional/Job Title Commercial & Product Development Lead – Long & Downstream Steel
Function/Department Commercial / Business Development/ Sales
Country Location Ghana
Number of posts 1
Job Grade LT3.1
Surname and Initials of Employee
Reports to [Solid Line] Managing Director - Ghana
Reports to [Dotted Line] CEO
Direct reports
2. Organisational Position of Post
3. Job Purpose
• As a long product steel producer with a strong base in rebars and hot rolled products, there is a clear opportunity to expand into downstream and adjacent products such as merchant bars, tubes and pipes, roofing sheets, wire-drawn products, and cold-rolled materials.
• This role is responsible for identifying, validating, and shaping the company's expansion — translating market insight into clear, actionable product recommendations, acts as the critical link between on-the-ground market intelligence and internal production and sourcing strategy.
3.1 Key Responsibilities
3.1.1 Market Engagement & Intelligence
• Travel across African markets to engage distributors, retailers, fabricators, and end users
• Develop a deep, on-the-ground understanding of demand patterns, pricing dynamics, and supply chain structures across key regions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key market participants to gather actionable commercial intelligence
• Map competitive activity, product availability, and pricing across target markets to identify white- space opportunities
3.1.2 Product Portfolio Development
• Identify gaps in the current product portfolio and unmet market demand
• Translate market insight into clear, actionable product recommendations supported by commercial rationale and demand evidence
• Advise on manufacturing versus sourcing decisions for new products, assessing feasibility and commercial economics
• Assess technical specifications and quality requirements by market to ensure product recommendations are fit for purpose
3.1.3 Commercial Strategy & Go-to-Market
• Support go-to-market thinking and commercial prioritisation, including channel strategy and pricing frameworks
• Work cross-functionally to align commercial priorities with production capabilities and supply chain realities
• Act as a bridge between market reality and production strategy, ensuring decisions are grounded in real demand
• Support commercial prioritisation of new product launches, including sequencing by market, product type, and revenue potential
3.1.4 Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
• Prepare and present clear market intelligence reports and product recommendations to senior leadership and group management
• Maintain a structured pipeline of product development opportunities, tracking progress from identification through to commercialisation
• Provide regular updates on market conditions, competitor activity, and emerging demand trends across African markets
3.2 Key Performance Indicators – as per Balanced Scorecard
Key Performance Indicator Measure of Success
Identify and validate new product opportunities Number of validated product recommendations submitted to leadership per quarter
Quality of market intelligence Depth, accuracy, and actionability of market reports presented
Go-to-market planning contribution Number of new products go-to-market plans developed and approved
Stakeholder engagement across African markets Coverage of key distributors, fabricators, and end users engaged per market
Manufacturing vs sourcing recommendations Timeliness and commercial rigour of sourcing/make decisions supported
Cross-functional alignment Feedback from production, supply chain, and senior leadership on collaboration
Revenue pipeline contribution Value of commercial opportunities identified and progressed into the business pipeline
4. Job Specification
4.1 Educational Qualifications
Essential Masters in business administration / Sales / Marketing or any other
relevant degree
Desirable
4.2 Work Experience Requirements
• Strong background in steel, ideally long products and downstream processing – minimum 8–12 years in the industry
• Proven experience in sales, distribution, or commercial roles
• Exposure to retail- and distributor-driven markets, particularly in emerging market environments
• Track record in expanding or optimizing steel product portfolios, whether in trading, manufacturing, or commercial development
• Previous exposure to African markets strongly preferred
4.3 Skills Requirements
Specific skill requirements • Understanding of financial operation practices in the steel manufacturing industry – long products and downstream processing (merchant bars, tubes, wire, cold-rolled, roofing)
• Ability to read and interpret market demand signals and translate them into commercial recommendations
• Knowledge of distribution channels and pricing structures in African steel markets
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and standard business reporting tools
• Fluent French (essential) – for engagement across Francophone African markets
• Willingness to travel extensively across Africa
Personal attributes • Practical, hands-on, commercially minded approach
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities across diverse geographies
• Collaborative and effective at cross-functional working
• High personal integrity and professional credibility
• Cultural awareness and adaptability in multi-cultural environments
5. Work Context and Environment
Type of Working Hours Regular business hours; additional hours as required by market schedules and travel
Working hours per week
Contract Type Fixed term (2 years)
Base Location Ghana
Travel required Extensive Africa travel
6. Confirmation
This job description has been consulted and agreed to between the relevant parties that the information contained is a correct reflection of the context of the post and its content.
Employee Signature: Date:
Direct Supervisor / Manager
Signature: Date:
Departmental Head Signature: Date:
Commercial – Job Description – Commercial & Product Development Lead