Head of Sales at Zowasel

Purpose of the Role

• The Head of Sales will be critical in designing and executing Zowasel’s commercial strategy to achieve revenue growth, profitability, and market leadership in agrifinance products. As a key member of the Executive Management Team, you will have full P&L responsibility for a multiple-million-dollar turnover business, drive sales performance, lead cross-functional teams, and shape the future of agriculture and finance in Africa.

Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Commercial Planning

• Define, develop, and implement Zowasel’s commercial strategy across agrifinance and agriculture portfolios.
• Lead the commercial plan and direction across all key business segments, aligning with company objectives.
• Work closely with the Executive Team to position Zowasel as the leading AgriFinance partner in Africa.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead and manage Business Development, Sales, and Customer Success teams to deliver on commercial objectives.
• Build high-performing, data-driven teams that scale and operate effectively across diverse geographies.
• Work closely with the Product, Technology, and Operations teams to ensure that solutions align with customer needs and market demands.
• Foster a culture of accountability, performance, and innovation across the commercial unit.

Revenue Growth & Profitability

• Own the sales and margin performance, with full P&L accountability for a $200M turnover portfolio.
• Drive revenue growth through new product channels, client acquisition strategies, and strategic partnerships.
• Establish pricing, go-to-market, and monetization strategies that align with financial targets.

Sales & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and expand high-performing sales and commercial teams across multiple regional offices.
• Develop KPIs and performance metrics for all commercial functions and ensure rigorous performance management.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and integration of commercial teams into evolving business models.

Market Expansion & Partnerships

• Identify and unlock new markets, customer segments, and value chain opportunities across Nigeria and Africa.
• Establish and manage strategic partnerships with cooperatives, off-takers, agribusinesses, and public sector actors.
• Expand the Zowasel marketplace reach by onboarding new sellers, buyers, and service partners.
• Lead high-level stakeholder engagement to position Zowasel as a key player in agri-finance and sustainable agriculture.

Market Intelligence & Business Development

• Conduct deep analysis of market conditions, industry trends, and competitive activity to inform strategic decisions.
• Identify and execute new business opportunities in the agriculture and finance sectors.
• Maintain and expand strategic relationships with key clients, partners, and stakeholders across Africa.

Marketing & Brand Alignment

• Collaborate with the Marketing Director to plan and execute campaigns that promote revenue growth and market expansion.
• Ensure strong alignment between commercial goals and marketing initiatives to maximize brand impact.

Operational Excellence & Change Management

• Support business integration projects, including restructuring sales and operational teams as necessary.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all commercial processes and platforms.
• Implement systems and processes for forecasting, budgeting, and reporting on commercial performance.

Qualifications & ExperienceRequired:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Agriculture, or a related field (MBA preferred).
• Minimum of 8–10 years’ experience in a senior commercial leadership role, ideally in agribusiness, finance, or retail.
• Proven track record of managing P&L and delivering strong EBITA growth in multimillion-dollar enterprises.
• Experience working within African agricultural markets, with a deep understanding of Nigeria’s agri value chain.
• Strong understanding of finance and investment models in the agriculture sector.

Desired:

• Background in integrating commercial teams and businesses during growth or transformation phases.
• Experience in retail finance, commodity trading, or agrifinance models is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with donor-funded and/or blended finance projects in agriculture.

Key Skills & CompetenciesExecutive Team Contribution

• Exceptional leadership and team management skills
• Strong financial acumen and strategic thinking
• High-level communication and stakeholder engagement
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• Skilled in change management and organizational transformation
• Strong understanding of commercial KPIs and data-driven decision making
• Fluent in English; knowledge of local African languages is an advantage
• Serve as a key contributor to the Executive Management Team
• Participate in strategic discussions and governance of Zowasel’s growth roadmap
• Provide thought leadership on new commercial models and regional market expansion