About this role
Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions. Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group’s shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world. Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 155,000 people worldwide, including 4,000 in Marseilles where its head office is located.
YOUR ROLE
The Business Intelligence Senior Speciaist - Africa is responsible for providing strategic market intelligence, business analytics, competitive insights, and performance monitoring across the Africa Region, covering countries from Mauritania to the Horn of Africa. The role supports Regional Management by transforming operational, commercial, market, and economic data into actionable insights that enhance decision-making, business performance, and strategic positioning. The candidate will monitor market trends, competitor activities, trade developments, port and logistics performance, and business opportunities across the region.
Working closely with Agency Management, Regional Functions, Line Operations, Cargo Flow, Commercial, Procurement, Logistics, and relevant Head Office departments, the Business Intelligence Officer develops analytical frameworks, dashboards, forecasts, and performance reporting tools to support sustainable growth, operational excellence, and market share expansion. The position plays a key role in identifying risks, opportunities, emerging market dynamics, and competitive threats, while supporting management in defining strategic priorities and corrective actions.
The candidate will conduct regular field visits across the region to strengthen market understanding, validate intelligence gathered from local agencies, and identify business development opportunities. The position reports functionally to the Chief Operations Officer - Africa Region.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ?
Geographical Scope: All CMA CGM Africa Region countries from Mauritania to the Horn of Africa, including but not limited to: Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Benin, Cabo Verde, Sao-Tome, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Niger, Tchad, Mali, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti. Duty station: Abidjan – Ivory Coast Travel requiremen t: Regular travel across the region is required.
Duties
- Market Intelligence and Competitive Monitoring : Monitor and analyze shipping market developments, trade patterns, cargo trends, and economic indicators across Africa.
- Conduct continuous competitive intelligence on shipping lines, terminal operators, logistics service providers, and inland transport competitors.
- Track competitor service networks, vessel deployments, market share evolution, pricing trends, transit times, and customer strategies.
- Prepare regular intelligence reports highlighting opportunities, threats, and key market developments.
- Identify emerging markets, growth corridors, and strategic opportunities for CMA CGM's business expansion.
- Business Performance Analysis : Monitor regional commercial, operational, and financial KPIs through dashboards and analytical tools.
- Analyze volume evolution, trade lane performance, vessel utilization, service reliability, and cargo flows across the Africa network.
- Identify performance gaps and support agencies in developing corrective action plans.
- Produce monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc business performance reviews for regional management.
- Develop forecasting models and trend analyses to support strategic planning and budget exercises.
- Strategic Decision Support Provide analytical support to the Regional COO, Sub-Regional Directors, Regional Director, and other regional stakeholders.
- Support business cases related to new services, port calls, inland logistics developments, equipment investments, and strategic initiatives.
- Evaluate the impact of market changes, regulatory developments, infrastructure projects, and competitor actions on regional operations.
- Deliver recommendations based on quantitative and qualitative analysis to support informed decision-making.
- Port, Logistics and Supply Chain Intelligence Monitor port performance indicators, congestion levels, vessel waiting times, berth productivity, terminal capacity, and operational constraints.
- Analyze inland logistics networks, transport corridors, rail developments, border-crossing performance, and logistics bottlenecks.
Track infrastructure investments and major projects impacting regional trade and shipping activities. Maintain intelligence on terminal developments, capacity expansions, concession changes, and regulatory evolution. Data Analytics and Reporting Design, develop, and maintain business intelligence dashboards and reporting tools. Consolidate data from agencies, regional functions, and Head Office systems to ensure data consistency and reliability. Promote data-driven decision-making across the Africa Region.
Ensure timely delivery of accurate reports to regional and global stakeholders. Continuously improve reporting methodologies and analytical capabilities. Economic and Trade Intelligence Monitor macroeconomic indicators relevant to African markets, including GDP growth, inflation, exchange rates, commodity prices, and trade volumes. Analyze import and export trends by country and commodity. Assess the impact of geopolitical events, regulatory changes, and trade agreements on CMA CGM activities.
Produce regular market outlooks and country intelligence reports for management. Business Development Support Identify commercial opportunities, new business segments, and potential growth sectors. Support commercial teams through market analysis and customer intelligence. Assist in the evaluation of new shipping services, inland logistics projects, and strategic partnerships. Participate in strategic studies and special projects initiated by Regional Management or Head Office.
Stakeholder Engagement Maintain effective relationships with agency management, port authorities, terminal operators, industry associations, and relevant external stakeholders. Participate in regional meetings, customer events, and industry forums to gather market intelligence. Support regional management in representing CMA CGM's interests with key industry stakeholders. Knowledge Sharing and Intelligence Network Build and maintain a regional intelligence network through agencies, functional departments and external stakeholders (Port authorities, terminal operators,...).
Facilitate the sharing of market intelligence, competitive insights, and best practices across the region. Promote analytical culture and business intelligence capabilities within African agencies. Support local teams in understanding business trends and performance indicators
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR ?
University degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain, Maritime Transport, Statistics, Data Analytics, Finance, or related field. Minimum 7 to 10 years of experience in shipping, logistics, maritime transport, market intelligence, business analysis, or strategic planning. Strong understanding of container shipping markets and African trade dynamics. Experience in business intelligence, data analytics, performance management, and dashboard development. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and presentation capabilities. Ability to synthesize large volumes of information into clear executive-level recommendations. Knowledge of maritime, port, terminal, inland logistics, and supply chain operations is highly desirable. Experience in competitive intelligence and market research is highly desirable. Team player with the ability to work in a multicultural and geographically dispersed environment. Fluent English and French is mandatory. Come along on CMA CGM’s adventure !