Head of Construction (Digital Marketplace Platform) at the People Practice

The People Practice - Our client, a Digital Construction Marketplace is recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Construction (Digital Marketplace Platform)

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

• Our client is a digital construction marketplace, is looking to hire a highly skilled and strategic operator for their Marketplace to spearhead their efforts in building and managing relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and contractors/property developers within the construction industry.
• The ideal candidate will be a seasoned deal maker with a deep understanding of construction materials and procurement processes, capable of driving revenue growth and maximizing profitability for the marketplace.

Responsibilities

Supplier Relationship Management:

• Onboard manufacturers and distributors of construction materials onto the marketplace platform.
• Negotiate favourable pricing agreements and terms with suppliers to ensurecompetitive pricing for buyers while maintaining profitability for the marketplace.
• Develop and nurture long-term relationships with suppliers, fostering partnership opportunities.

Buyer Acquisition and Engagement:

• Target and onboard real estate contractors and construction companies as potential buyers for the marketplace.
• Build and maintain relationships with buyers, understanding and meetingtheir procurement needs whilst providing the best price and timely delivery.
• Close procurement deals with buyers, offering competitive pricing and value-added services to drive adoption and usage of the marketplace.

 Revenue Generation:

• Drive Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) for the marketplace by facilitating transactions between buyers and sellers.
• Optimize commission structures and pricing strategies to maximizeprofitability and increase the spread on transactions.
• Establish and communicate pricing deals and promotions to buyers, ensuring transparency and trust in pricing.
• Facilitate secondary deals to capitalize on upsell opportunities and increase customer lifetime value.

 Demand Aggregation and Supply Chain Optimization:

• Aggregate demand from buyers to meet minimum order quantities for manufacturers and distributors, enabling bulk discounts and cost savings.
• Optimize the supply chain by identifying efficiencies and opportunities for cost reduction and value creation.

Market Intelligence and Communication:

• Stay informed about market trends, competitor activities, and industry developments related to construction materials.
• Share market insights and pricing updates with buyers through daily price lists and communication channels within the marketplace community.

 Operations and Team Leadership:

• Recruit, train, and mentor a team of Quantity surveyors (or equivalent) to ensure high performance.
• Delegate the cultivation of relationships with construction site officials to understand their procurement needs and address any delivery issues or concerns.
• Oversee the coordination of delivery schedules, tracking of shipments, addressing any delivery-related challenges or delays proactively, and providing real-time updates to ensure timely and efficient transportation of construction materials from suppliers to buyers' sites.
• Lead the aggregation of BOQs across multiple buyers to identify common materials and leverage collective purchasing power to negotiate favourablepricing with suppliers.
• Lead the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other documentation to support operational goals, ensuring consistency and efficiency in processes.
• Foster a collaborative team culture and provide strategic insights for growth.

Database Management:

• Manage and maintain a comprehensive database of sellers (manufacturers and distributors) and buyers on the marketplace, including contact details, pricing agreements, and product offerings.
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity to support informed decision-making and efficient operations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to determine product and service needs, overseeing all procurement activities from pre-qualification to tender management

Requirements

• Proven track record in sales, business development, or procurement within the construction industry.
• Extensive experience in negotiating pricing agreements and managing supplier relationships.
• Quantity Surveyor expertise or deep knowledge of construction materials across all categories, including familiarity with Bills of Quantities (BOQs).
• Strong network of manufacturers, distributors, and real estate contractors within the construction industry.
• Experience with marketplace platforms or e-commerce environments is preferred.

Must have skills

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data and market insights to drive decision-making.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities and strategic thinking.

Application Closing Date
22nd May, 2024.