General Manager – Polymer Trading & Distribution (Abidjan)

About the role

The General Manager will lead a polymer trading and distribution company based in Abidjan, overseeing commercial, operational and administrative functions. Reporting to the CEO, the GM holds full P&L responsibility and drives the strategy to become the preferred supplier of thermoplastic resins and specialty polymers across Côte d'Ivoire and the ECOWAS region.

Key responsibilities

• Implement the group polymer sourcing strategy, negotiating spot, contract and term deals with global producers.
• Monitor global polymer price indices and local market conditions to manage price exposure and protect margins.
• Develop and expand the customer base among plastic converters, pipe & fitting manufacturers, packaging firms and construction companies.
• Oversee the full trade cycle, including order management, letters of credit, freight, customs clearance at Port d'Abidjan and last‑mile delivery.
• Establish export corridors to land‑locked ECOWAS markets such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal and Guinea.
• Manage warehousing, inventory rotation for bulk and bagged polymer, and coordinate import logistics (containerised and bulk shipments, fumigation, bonded warehouse).
• Lead P&L, budgeting, working‑capital optimisation and credit‑risk management.
• Negotiate trade‑finance facilities (LC, SBLC, commodity financing) with local and international banks.
• Ensure compliance with OHADA law, Ivorian customs regulations and UEMOA trade rules.
• Recruit, coach and retain a multidisciplinary team covering sales, logistics, finance and technical support.
• Represent the company with government bodies, port authorities, industry associations and strategic partners.

Required profile

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Business Administration or a related field.
• At least 10 years of professional experience, including 5 years in a senior role within polymer or petrochemical trading and distribution.
• Deep knowledge of polymer end‑use applications (flexible packaging, rigid containers, pipes, cables, automotive parts).
• Experience providing technical sales support to plastic converters (MFI, density, tensile specifications).
• Familiarity with Port d'Abidjan operations and Ivorian customs procedures.
• Understanding of OHADA business law and UEMOA trade regulations.
• Fluency in French and English, both written and spoken.

Required skills

• Polymer sourcing and contract negotiation.
• Price index monitoring and margin protection.
• Trade finance instruments (LC, SBLC, commodity financing).
• Customs clearance and import logistics management.
• Inventory management for bulk and bagged polymer.
• P&L management, budgeting and working‑capital optimisation.
• Technical sales support (MFI, density, tensile specifications).
• Knowledge of thermoplastics: PE (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE), PP, PVC, PET, PS, ABS.