The job
The main objective of the Commercial Support is to support a team of Commercial Managers in their commercial activities in the broadest meaning of the word.
While the Commercial Support is not accountable for the sales as such, he/she can launch and coordinate pricing requests, can help out in commercial discussions with customers and suppliers and acts as a back-up when the Commercial Manager is absent.
For intercompany transactions he/she can handle most of the commercial activities and communication.
The responsibilities include:
Prospection & Inquiries

• Searching for and requesting of prices/tenders/sales-offers/Inquiries from suppliers, shipping lines, customers and affiliates and finding the right combination of price and requested quality by the customer/affiliate.
• Following-up of prices of the products/raw materials/freight rates and gaining insight in the dynamics that drive prices and freight rates.
• Manage the quotation process towards a customer/affiliate from beginning till end
• Coordination and consolidation of (break)bulk shipments (depending on the region)

Order confirmations & Contracts

• Prepare order forms and pass same towards the appropriate Commercial Manager
• Negotiate the prices himself/herself (with agreement of the respective Commercial Manager) in order to improve the contribution of the respective sale.

Follow up on commercial and quality issues

• Follow-up on the payments of the respective sales
• Contacting clients/suppliers/shipping lines
• Receive and handle complaints/NCR’s from customers, suppliers and shipping lines
• Receive and handle insurance claims in coordination with the operational insurance team
• Monitoring of loading and unloading operations in order to prevent demurrage/detention
• Monitoring and follow up of warehouse issues (reporting new warehouses to insurance department etc…)
• Timely ordering and arranging shipment of cargo in order to maintain the necessary stock levels for (multinational) DDP customers + follow up of DDP deliveries as per client’s requirements

Follow up on contribution and profitable closing/post-calculation
The Commercial Support supports and reports on a day-to-day basis to the Commercial Manager(s).

• The Commercial Support ensures that communications and proposals are continuously aligned with the responsible Commercial Manager
• Reports about the inquiries that he/she is handling
• Reports problems timely and informs Commercial Managers spontaneously in order the best sales/purchase decisions can be made.

Your Profile

• You have demonstrable experience as a trade coordinator and are eager to transition into a commercial role.
• The Commercial Support has a major responsibility in terms of supporting the Commercial Managers in achieving the best commercial results. Therefore, he/she needs to be highly knowledgeable in different aspects of the business.

Commercial & Trading

• Good understanding of the market: products, applications, suppliers, customers, competition
• Good understanding of logistics/maritime shipping business
• Ability to maintain client and supplier relationships
• Ability to be pro-active in advising local affiliates and Commercial Managers

Financial

• Understanding of pre- and post-calculation of net margins & ROCE of transactions
• Excellent knowledge of financing options, risk/insurance and payment instruments
• Understanding of required timing of payment guarantees

General & Personality

• A very alert and pro-active attitude with attention to detail, checking & acting rapidly
• University or strong results in relevant professional bachelor program
• Well organized and efficient in day-to-day activities
• You have a keen eye for detail and excel in administrative tasks, while maintaining a comprehensive overview.
• Typically strong language skills in relation with the region covered (English & French)
• Basic IT application skills: mail, MS office, reporting & communication tools
• Excellent communication skills
• Enthusiastic and goal oriented person who likes to take initiative with a large degree of autonomy
• Likes to build relationships and deal with various types of people & cultures and who feels connected with the company
• A natural team-player who prefers collaboration and joint progress over individual results and who
• Commercial mindset, good with numbers and client oriented
• Flexible person who will do everything in order to reach deadlines and qualitative results, who can work well under pressure (especially when Commercial Managers are traveling) and who can handle stress (no nine-to-five mentality)

Manuchar Offers You

• Receive customized training from our experienced colleagues and seize the opportunity to further develop your skills with targeted training.
• Enter a dynamic work environment full of variety, with excellent long-term growth prospects in an international setting where you have the opportunity to fully develop your talents.
• Enjoy an attractive salary package, including a range of fringe benefits such as meal vouchers, hospitalization insurance, and a collective bonus, acknowledging your dedication and contribution.
• Step into an open and multicultural work environment, surrounded by knowledgeable and inspiring colleagues who keep the atmosphere vibrant.
• At our company, the well-being of our employees is paramount. We offer health and wellness programs and regularly organize opportunities to connect and relax with your colleagues.

A Multinational of Belgian Origin

• Manuchar, headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, is a leading distributor of chemicals in emerging markets. We complement our Chemical Distribution business with International Trade Services in steel, polymers, and various other raw materials.
• In 2023, we handled 4 million metric tons of goods, resulting in a turnover of 2.4 billion USD. Our local operations are active in more than 40 countries and 140 locations. Manuchar employs 2,800 professionals worldwide.
• At Manuchar, "We keep your production running. Everywhere."

Interested?

• If you're up for the challenge and want to join an internationally fast-growing team of dynamic colleagues, then submit your detailed CV through our online platform CVWarehouse.

We do not collaborate & engage with external recruitment agencies for this vacancy. We appreciate your understanding.