trader – food

Who are we?
SOLEVO
is a leading specialty chemicals distribution platform and partner to farmers, businesses, industrial leaders, and communities across Africa. With over 75 years of experience, we deliver critical raw materials and expertise to the continent's high GDP-contributing life sciences and industrials sectors. We are committed to providing growth solutions through a strong chemical distribution network and an international, agile work environment.

What are we looking for?
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated
Trader to join our Food & Nutrition
team, specifically focusing on direct sales business. This is a pivotal role in a newly restructured team, designed to bring speed and commercial focus to our business and operations. The successful candidate will be based in
Dubai, UAE
.

What do we expect from the candidate?
You will be one of three new segment-focused Traders, reporting directly to the Food & Nutrition Product Manager. Your primary mission will be to manage the full back-to-back trading cycle for chemicals and ingredients used in the Food, Beverage, and Animal Nutrition sectors, ensuring maximum efficiency and profitability. This role requires a strong commercial drive and the ability to act with exceptional speed, providing pricing and offers to our sales teams and direct clients
within a 24-hour window
.

The Key Responsibilities

• Target customers and expand Solevo's share of wallet in the assigned segment and countries, with a focus on the Food & Beverage industry (e.g., dairy, sauces, confectionery) and Animal Nutrition (e.g., poultry feed ingredients, additives).
• Proactively identify and pursue new trading opportunities to grow the segment's business.
• Execute the end-to-end trading process (sourcing, negotiation, sales) for commodity and specialty ingredients within the Food & Nutrition segment, including preservatives, taste enhancers, stabilizers, and feed additives.
• Serve as the commercial contact for clients in strategic territories and support local sales teams in other regions with rapid pricing.
• Assess customer financial strength, propose financial conditions to credit risk and follow up customer payments with the Finance department.
• Maintain strong relationships with both suppliers and clients to secure favorable terms and ensure smooth operations.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Execution, Purchasing, Logistics, Sales) to optimize the supply chain and ensure top service level, with a strong emphasis on food safety and quality compliance.
• Willing to travel (30% of the time).

Must-Have
Skills and Qualifications:

• Proven experience in a trading, commercial, or sales role, within the chemical distribution, commodities, or related industry.
• Strong understanding of international trade, logistics, and supply chain processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with a focus on quick turnaround times.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Fluency in French and English (written and spoken).

Nice-to-Have

• Experience with ingredients and chemicals used in the Food, Beverage, or Animal Nutrition sectors, with knowledge of relevant quality and safety standards.
• Familiarity with the African market and its specific logistical challenges.

Soft Skills

• Commercial Acumen: A natural business developer and prospecting skills with a focus on profitability.
• Speed and Agility: Capable of making quick, informed decisions.
• Rigor and Detail-Oriented: Meticulous in managing complex transactions and documentation.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic, international, and newly restructured environment.

Why join Solevo?

• Be a foundational member of a newly restructured, high-impact Direct Sales team.
• Work in a collaborative, international, and agile environment based in the global trading hub of Dubai, UAE.
• Join a dynamic company passionate about providing growth solutions across Africa.
• Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits.
• Explore opportunities for professional growth and advancement within a growing group.

How to join us?
If you are a commercially-driven, agile trader ready to take on a pivotal role in a growing international business, we encourage you to submit your resume detailing your relevant experience.

What's next?
If your profile matches our search, you will be contacted by our HR team for a first contact. We appreciate your interest in joining the Solevo Group.

Join Solevo: Empowering Progress Across Africa
At Solevo, we connect communities and industries with the solutions they need to grow, thrive, and transform. From supporting agricultural self-sufficiency to driving industrial innovation, we are shaping the future of Africa's life sciences and industrial sectors.