Senior Trader / Sales Manager - Shea Commodities

Senior Sales Manager and Trader – Shea Nut & Butter Commodities Salary: Competitive and based on experience (Relocation support for relevant candidates) Location: Dubai A unique opportunity awaits for an experienced Senior Sales Manager and Trader to join a rapidly expanding commodity trading business in Dubai, specialising in the shea sector.

This is a pivotal role where your deep expertise in shea butter and shea nut trading will directly shape the future of a new processing venture, offering you the chance to make a tangible impact from day one. The organisation is renowned for its market-leading position in West African commodities, with ambitious plans for growth and diversification into processed products. You will benefit from close collaboration with senior leadership, relocation support, and the excitement of building a business line from the ground up. With a supportive team environment based in Business Bay, Dubai, and regular international travel to Europe, Africa, and Asia, this role offers both challenge and reward for those passionate about global trade and business development.

• Play a key role in launching and scaling a new shea butter processing operation, shaping strategy and execution alongside senior leaders.
• Enjoy significant autonomy and influence within a growing company that values expertise, collaboration, and long-term relationships.
• Benefit from financial relocation support, direct access to decision-makers, and opportunities for international travel as you expand global markets.

What you'll do:

As Senior Sales Manager and Trader in Shea Butter Commodities, you will be at the forefront of an exciting new chapter for this established trading group. Your days will be varied: from overseeing the build-out of a state-of-the-art processing facility in West Africa within the first year to developing go-to-market strategies for premium shea butter exports. You will engage directly with global buyers across Europe, Asia, and beyond - travelling regularly to strengthen partnerships while ensuring seamless supply chain execution. Success in this role means not only delivering impressive sales results but also helping shape operational best practices as the company transitions into value-added production. Your ability to collaborate across cultures and functions will be essential as you work hand-in-hand with executive leaders who are committed to supporting your professional growth.

• Oversee the end-to-end sales and trading activities for shea butter and shea nuts across European, Asian, and other major international markets, ensuring optimal commercial outcomes.
• Supervise the establishment of a new shea processing factory in West Africa during your first year or less, including machinery selection, project management, and operational planning.
• Develop robust trading strategies to secure advantageous positions in volatile commodity markets, leveraging your specialist knowledge of shea products.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with buyers, processors, suppliers, and logistics partners worldwide to maximise sales opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership to define business objectives, set targets, and drive sustainable growth within the shea division.
• Travel internationally - primarily to Europe, Africa, and Asia - on average twice per month or less to meet clients, assess market conditions, and oversee supply chain operations.
• Possibility to support ongoing sales of raw nuts during the initial phase before transitioning to full focus on processed shea butter once the factory is operational.
• Work cross-functionally with procurement offices in Nigeria, Benin, Togo, as well as finance and logistics teams based in Dubai and Switzerland.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity to inform pricing strategies and identify emerging opportunities for expansion.
• Contribute insights on process improvements and product innovation as the company expands its portfolio beyond raw commodities.

What you bring:

To excel as Senior Sales Manager and Trader – Shea Butter Commodities, you bring not only hands-on expertise in global commodity trading but also a genuine passion for building lasting connections across borders. Your background includes substantial exposure to the intricacies of shea butter markets—whether through direct sales roles or broader supply chain management responsibilities. You thrive when given responsibility for high-impact projects such as launching new facilities or entering untapped markets. Your interpersonal skills are second-to-none: you listen actively, communicate clearly across cultures, and always act with integrity. Adaptability is key—you are comfortable navigating ambiguity while remaining focused on shared goals. Above all else, your commitment to teamwork ensures that every stakeholder feels valued throughout each stage of the business journey.

• Demonstrated track record of success in trading and sales specifically focused on shea butter or shea nuts within international commodity markets.
• Deep technical understanding of the shea industry—including sourcing regions, quality standards, processing methods, and buyer requirements.
• Proven experience managing complex projects such as factory set-up or large-scale supply chain initiatives within agribusiness or food commodities sectors.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with an ability to connect authentically with stakeholders at all levels—from local producers to multinational buyers.
• Strong commercial acumen combined with sensitivity to cultural nuances when negotiating deals across diverse geographies.
• Willingness to travel internationally up to twice per month as required by business needs.
• Comfort working collaboratively within small but highly effective teams spread across multiple countries.
• Fluency in English; additional languages relevant to West Africa or target export markets would be advantageous.
• Experience working directly with senior executives or founders on strategic business initiatives is highly desirable.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as a true pioneer within West African commodity trading—combining deep regional roots with an international outlook that spans Europe, Asia, Geneva (Switzerland), and Dubai. With over 50 dedicated professionals (most based locally across West Africa), they have built a reputation for reliability by consistently delivering top-quality cashew nuts (formerly #1 exporter in Benin), sesame seeds, soybeans, sugar imports (with rapid volume growth), cocoa beans (top three exporter in Togo), and soon coffee. Now embarking on their first processed product—shea butter—they offer you the rare chance to help shape an entire business line from inception. The culture is open-door: you’ll work side-by-side with founders and C-suite leaders who value transparency and personal investment in their people’s success. Relocation support is generous—including flights—and you’ll enjoy modern office facilities in Business Bay Dubai alongside a tight-knit team spanning across finance (Switzerland), logistics (Dubai), procurement (West Africa), and more. If you’re seeking meaningful impact within an ambitious yet supportive environment where your expertise truly matters—this is the right next role for you.

What's next:

If you are ready to take your career further by driving real change within global commodity markets—this is your moment!

Apply today by clicking on the link below; we look forward to connecting with talented professionals eager to make their mark.