Commercial Director

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Zambia.

📋 Description

• Develop the commercial strategy, contracting approach, procurement and market engagement plan, and contractor management practices for the Mingomba copper project.

• Manage the commercial pathway from PFS and engineering delivery through package strategy, tendering, negotiation, award, contract administration, contractor performance, transition to operations, and commercial close-out.

• Set the commercial direction and build, nurture, and lead the contracting, procurement, and supply chain team.

• Establish commercial policies, approval thresholds, procurement gates, contract governance, tender review cadence, award recommendations, change controls, claims controls, and vendor management routines.

• Create the project delivery model and contracting strategy, evaluating EPC, EPCM, design-and-build, owner-managed, and hybrid options.

• Lead commercial contributions into project, executive, and technical forums, ensuring visibility into procurement status, market intelligence, contractor risks, cost exposure, and package readiness.

• Collaborate with the Senior Engineering & Integration Manager under a defined authority split and lead commercial evaluation, contract formation, and administration.

• Formulate the commercial plan for engineering, construction, and transition to operations.

• Oversee contractor intelligence, prequalification, market engagement, tendering, negotiation, award, and contract formation for major packages.

• Supervise supply chain execution and logistics, including cross-border movement into Zambia, customs, freight forwarding, expediting, critical-path equipment delivery, contractor performance, and contingency planning.

• Manage local contractor engagement and local content strategy, encompassing supplier mapping, capability assessment, package design, tender access, mentoring, joint-venture pathways, performance expectations, and reporting.

• Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, commitments, and cost discipline.

• Oversee contractor performance and commercial risks, including market, foreign exchange, geopolitical, claims, variations, and disputes.

• Shape and implement the project insurance program and align contractual risk allocation with insurance coverage.

• Lead the contracting, procurement, and supply chain team, fostering ethical, values-aligned supplier partnerships.

⛳️ Requirements

• 15+ years of commercial leadership experience in multi-billion dollar mining, oil and gas, infrastructure, or large industrial projects.

• Direct responsibility for commercial strategy, market engagement, procurement, contracting, contractor management, and project outcomes.

• Proven success in forming and implementing high-value EPC, EPCM, design-and-build, engineering services, drilling, construction, logistics, and long-lead equipment contracts on major capital projects.

• Experience in Africa with direct involvement from package strategy through negotiation, award, administration, claims, variations, and close-out.

• Extensive knowledge of FIDIC and NEC contract forms, contracting models, risk allocation, payment mechanisms, incentives, securities, warranties, limits of liability, change management, claims, dispute resolution, and contractor performance remedies.

• Proven track record in developing local supplier and contractor capability in Africa, Asia, or Latin America.

• Experience with Chinese suppliers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers will be an advantage.

• Demonstrated ability to design and implement commercial systems, governance, and reporting for major projects.

• Strong business judgment, ethical leadership, and dedication to transparency.

• Experience in building and leading multi-disciplinary teams.

• Recognized qualifications in Quantity Surveying, Construction Law, Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

• Willingness to travel internationally to Zambia, with expected travel of 90+ days per year.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equal employment opportunities for individuals of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, citizenship, or disability.