Commercial Manager - Power/Energy Trade

About the role

This role leads commercial power trading and supply activities, developing opportunities with independent power producers, utilities, mining companies and industrial customers, and building strategic relationships across local and regional electricity markets. It covers PPA negotiation, project support and commercial performance monitoring.

Key responsibilities

• Identify and develop power trading opportunities and expand the trading portfolio, customer base and geographical footprint.
• Build and maintain relationships with utilities, IPPs, miners, project developers, financiers and other key market participants.
• Monitor regional power markets, including the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), to find cross-border trading opportunities.
• Represent the company in industry engagements, negotiations, conferences and stakeholder meetings.
• Support the structuring and commercial development of power generation projects, including renewable and thermal.
• Develop and implement regional power trading strategies and negotiate and manage PPAs, PSAs, wheeling agreements and other commercial contracts.
• Lead commercial negotiations and oversee the execution, performance, renewal and termination of contracts.
• Develop power supply and trading structures and carry out commercial assessments, feasibility reviews, financial modelling and due diligence.
• Analyse market data on demand, supply, generation costs, prices and regulation, and monitor revenue, margins, costs and profitability.
• Work with risk, finance and operations on trading positions, counterparty risk and portfolio performance, and with regulatory and legal teams on compliance.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, Energy Management, Supply Chain Management or a related field; a postgraduate qualification or professional certification is an advantage.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in commodity or energy trading, power markets or commercial management, preferably in an international trading house, utility, energy company or brokerage.
• Demonstrated experience in electricity trading, power procurement, IPP negotiations, PPAs or electricity supply agreements.
• Experience supporting or managing power generation development projects is highly desirable.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of electricity market structures, regional power trading, transmission and wheeling arrangements and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of the SAPP and cross-border electricity trading is an advantage.
• Proven experience in commercial negotiations, contract management, portfolio optimization and financial performance management.
• Understanding of power generation technologies, project economics and the commercial drivers of generation investments.
• Financial modelling, analytical and problem-solving skills, and strong negotiation and stakeholder management abilities.