As the Commercial Director for the Large Industry (LI) Business Unit, you will be responsible for the management of all LI activities in Southern Africa. In consultation with key stakeholders, you will determine the yearly target and long term objectives and coordinates the teams in order to achieve these objectives and targets. The position is aimed at developing and implementing a clear strategy for profitable growth driven by safety, customer service and operational excellence.
The portfolio includes a global strategic account for Air Liquide Group and is therefore an ideal opportunity for a high potential candidate seeking international challenge and exposure.
The LI Commercial Director is responsible for leading and developing Air Liquide Large Industries' commercial strategy and operations within South Africa, driving profitable growth and ensuring customer satisfaction in the large industrial gas market.
Job Responsibilities
* Develop and implement a comprehensive commercial strategy for Large Industries in South Africa, aligning with regional and global objectives.
* Lead, motivate, and develop the commercial team, including sales, account management, and business development personnel.
* Identify and pursue new business opportunities, securing long-term contracts with key industrial customers.
* Manage existing customer relationships, ensuring high levels of satisfaction, retention, and growth within the assigned portfolio.
* Negotiate and finalize complex commercial agreements, including gas supply contracts, equipment sales, and service agreements.
* Conduct market analysis, competitor intelligence, and customer segmentation to identify trends and opportunities.
* Prepare and manage the commercial budget, ensuring financial targets are met or exceeded.
* Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, engineering, finance, and legal teams to deliver integrated solutions to customers.
* Ensure compliance with all internal policies, ethical guidelines, and relevant external regulations.
* Represent Air Liquide Large Industries at industry events, conferences, and with key stakeholders.
* Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; an MBA is highly preferred.
* Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in commercial roles within the industrial gas, energy, or chemical sectors, with at least 5 years in a leadership position.
* Proven track record of successfully developing and executing commercial strategies and achieving significant sales growth.
* Extensive experience in negotiating complex, long-term B2B contracts with large industrial clients.
* Strong understanding of the South African industrial market and customer landscape.
* Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
* Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
* Proficient in financial analysis and budget management.
* Fluent in English; knowledge of other local languages is a plus.
* Willingness to travel extensively within South Africa and occasionally internationally.
Our Differences make our Performance
At Air Liquide, we are committed to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.
We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.
Air Liquide is a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 72 countries with 67,800 employees, the Group serves more than 4 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the Group’s activities since its creation in 1902.
Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquide’s strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition—particularly with hydrogen—and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies.
Air Liquide’s revenue amounted to more than 27.5 billion euros in 2023. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good and DJSI Europe indexes.
