Business Development & Strategy Manager, A&C

Are You Ready To Build The Future With Us?

Lafarge Africa PIc is a member of Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd.,  - founded in 1907 and incorporated in China. Huaxin is listed on the Shanghai and on the Hong Kong stock exchanges, and is among the 10 largest cement groups in the world. In addition to cement, Huaxin operates aggregates and ready-mixed concrete as well as waste management businesses, and has its own cement and waste pre-/co-processing equipment manufacturing with proprietary technology. Huaxin is recognized among the world's top manufacturing enterprises and most valuable brands. Lafarge Africa is a publicly quoted company on the Premium Board of the Nigerian Exchange Limited and serves Nigeria with a wide range of building and construction solutions.

Who are Lafarge People?

Lafarge people are passionate about finding better ways to build. They embrace innovation and improvement with a pioneering spirit. They work as trusted partners, creating better solutions and experiences for their customers, communities, and colleagues

About the Job 

The purpose of the role is to create value to the business through growth opportunities, initiatives and innovation. To provide leadership and expertise to differentiate the business from competitors. The position holder will be committed to aggressive business and process improvement, building new business tools and ensuring the business competes well as the market leader. the role holder will lead the development of Commercial/Sales performance standards to ensure that our services are responsive to and meet the needs of customers. Lead the physical expansion and relocation of assets through engineering excellence. 

What you'll be doing 

• Health & Safety: Underline responsibility to ensure all business practices follow the strictest safety standard and provide visible leadership to the overall business.
• Business Development: Lead the key business initiatives/special projects with a view to exploiting new business opportunities and/or enhancing our competitiveness. Specifically;
  • To maintain pipeline of business improvement initiatives with impact to an overall business outcomes.
  • Interpretation of business strategy into actions and create pipeline of opportunities
• Projects: Research, preparation of justifications documents (executive summaries, detailed backup write-up, financial models etc) necessary to confirm viability or projects/business initiatives and key considerations for their implementation. These will cover the setup of new ready mix plant operation and other strategic initiative that may arise from time to time.
  • Set up of New Ready Mix Operations: Commence Ready Mix Operations via implementation of action steps based on the approved Business Case/Market study. Shall include securing the necessary land area, obtaining regulatory approval to operate a Ready mix plant, Plant asset deployment, personnel manning and eventual commissioning of the plant; in liaison with the Ready Mix HOB.
  • BU Support: Value adding projects/initiatives identified by the Business Unit. Holder of the position will also be expected to proactively identify such opportunities and propose to the BU with necessary back up report.
• Marketing Support: Support the BU in Marketing and Sales Support. This role will be actively involved in marketing activities e.g. development of value proposition for key Customer segments. It shall involve working closely with the HOB-Ready Mix to develop clear commercial value proposition(s) for Lafarge Ready Mix – Market segmentation, Product positioning, pricing point determination, branding tactics etc; with active collaboration with the Head of Marketing. Including:
  • Market Research: Carry out research/analysis that will help us to understand the market and customers better. In particular, aim at how we can ‘differentiate’ ourselves Vs competition, and also deepen the conversion of contractors from site mix to ready mix, in our relevant markets.
  • Maintain regular contacts with key decision makers /customers and suppliers
  • Competitor/Industry Intelligence & benchmarking: gather data/intelligence on competitors
    & industry in general using publicly available information and other best estimates – to cover business performance & benchmarking (cost comparisons, efficiency ratios, current/upcoming production capacities,), price comparisons, Supply/Demand balance etc
• Business Performance Tracking: Maintenance of all relevant performance measurement metrics in line with evolving BU requirements e.g. Commercial, Maintenance, Logistics, HSE KPIs as required for the monthly BU Operational Meetings (ref: CoCM Doc)
• Expert commercial presentation and public speaking

Who you'll be working with 

• Business Development Analyst
• Project Manager- A&C

What we are looking for

• Bachelor’s degree in related engineering discipline or relevant experiences in building material
• Minimum 10 - 15 years’ experience in Operations or Sales functions in a reputable organization(s) with a senior level managerial role
• Commercial, market facing background in sales/marketing or business development
• Construction and/or concrete manufacturing knowledge including infrastructure development segment and high end construction technology
• Good understanding and working knowledge of financials - P&L, Balance sheet, statement of cash flow structure.
• Excellent Analytical Skills and fluency with IT tools and digital technology
• Very good public speaker and a skilled presenter of business proposal
• Ability to influence and work independently with minimum supervision
• Demonstrate strong ability to learn
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Professional qualifications in Sales or Concrete/Construction Certification
• Master’s degree will be an added advantage

Your Lafarge Experience:

At Lafarge, there is endless opportunity for you to play your part. Whether you’re in a technical, managerial, or frontline role, you can shape a career that works for you. With us you’ll have the chance to embrace the passion we share for our planet. You’ll be encouraged to seek out diverse perspectives, share your ideas and build the skills and connections you need to perform at your best. Because it’s only when we work together in a culture where everyone thrives, that we can build the world we all want to live in.