Manager/Sr. Manager, Strategy

Function:
Strategy & Ops team – Office of MD

Reporting to:
Lead of Strategy & Operations (Founder's office)

Industry:
Commodity trading, financial services, new proposals

Job Context
The role holder will serve as a strategic partner to the Founder, supporting the founder's Global Trading business across multiple growth, operational, and governance focus areas. The role involves deep business analysis, project management, and stakeholder coordination to drive decision-making, performance improvement, and expansion initiatives.

The incumbent will work closely with the Founder's office and leadership teams in areas such as:

• Greenfield and brownfield expansions.
• Capital expenditure (Capex) planning and monitoring.
• Annual budgets and Key Value Driver (KVD) targets.
• Identifying performance gaps across businesses and their root causes.
• Evaluating untapped growth opportunities.
• Understanding top team dynamics, organisational alignment, and morale.
• New product or brand introductions and launches.

Key Result Areas / Accountabilities

• Monitor Monthly Performance & Identify Improvement Opportunities
• Analyse the current performance of each business, including competitive benchmarking.
• Identify key improvement areas, ranging from marginal to high-impact initiatives depending on the business context.
• Facilitate Ongoing Business Planning & Reviews
• Support monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad-hoc business reviews.
• Conduct competition trend analysis and industry landscape assessments.
• Provide critical inputs for finalising budgets and business targets.
• Highlight focus areas for the Founder and track progress on strategic issues.
• Suggest & Assess Long-Term Strategic Imperatives
• Evaluate business-led growth proposals, such as expansions, acquisitions, or new lines of business.
• Proactively generate and assess growth ideas beyond current business proposals.
• Identify Opportunities for Entry into New Businesses
• Scan market and industry trends to identify high-potential sectors.
• Collaborate with corporate functions such as CFG and CSBD to assess feasibility.
• Internal Governance & Business Oversight
• Monitor adherence to internal governance frameworks, policies, and compliance standards.
• Ensure alignment between strategic priorities, operational execution, and reporting structures.
• Act as a conduit between leadership, operational teams, and corporate governance functions.
• Drive Special Projects
• Lead and execute projects arising from the Founder's agenda during the year, including group- wide initiatives.
• Macro & Micro Trends Analysis and Business Impact Assessment
• Continuously monitor, analyze, and report on macroeconomic, industry, and micro-level trends to enable data-driven strategic and operational decisions that enhance competitiveness and growth.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Strong knowledge about commodity trading (strategies, risk management, financial modelling, technology implications) – eg. Sulphur, coal, fertilizers, rice, etc.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect operational detail to strategic goals.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities, including managing senior leadership and external partners.
• High adaptability to dynamic priorities and complex business environments.
• Strong project management skills with a results-oriented approach.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications & Experience

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate degree from a premier institution, preferably with a specialisation in Finance.
• Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification is desirable.
• 7-8 years of experience in strategy, consulting, or a similar high-impact business role.
• Mandatory exposure to commodity trading businesses, with at least 4–5 years of relevant experience in trading operations, risk management, or commercial strategy.
• Proven track record in handling multi-business performance reviews, strategic projects, and senior-level stakeholder management.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for site visits, expansion projects, and partner meetings as required