Commercial Intelligence & Data Specialist

The Commercial Intelligence & Data Specialist is responsible for turning market, customer, sales, competitor and financial data into actionable product insights. This role owns the commercial intelligence function within Innovation and supports product development by identifying opportunities, validating commercial assumptions and translating data into product roadmap recommendations. This role is also responsible for reporting on Innovation's commercial performance and product portfolio health through identifying and tracking key CRM metrics.

Position of the job in the organisation:

The Commercial Intelligence & Data Specialist will report directly to the Head of Innovation.

Principal responsibilities:

Commercial Analysis & Market Insights

• Analyse customer, sales, market and competitor data to identify product and service opportunities.
• Monitor market trends, customer needs and demand drivers to support product development decisions.
• Generate actionable insights to inform the Innovation roadmap.

Commercial Modelling & Business Cases

• Develop commercial and financial models to assess product viability and scalability.
• Test assumptions relating to pricing, revenue, margin and demand.
• Support investment cases and commercial decision-making with data-driven analysis.

Product Strategy & Roadmap Support

• Translate customer, market and financial insights into practical product recommendations.
• Prioritise opportunities based on commercial value, customer need and strategic fit.
• Present findings and recommendations in a clear, decision-ready format.

Customer & Market Intelligence

• Establish and maintain customer and market feedback mechanisms with internal stakeholders.
• Consolidate and structure commercial data to support informed product development.
• Ensure customer insights are effectively incorporated into innovation initiatives.

Commercial Support Through Product Lifecycle

• Provide commercial input from ideation through MVP development and scaling.
• Support commercial validation and ongoing assessment of product performance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure commercial assumptions remain realistic and aligned to business objectives.

Technology & Data-Driven Ways of Working

• Leverage AI, automation and digital tools to improve analysis, modelling and reporting capabilities.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and enhance decision-making through data and technology.
• Promote a technology-enabled and insight-driven approach to innovation.

Drive CRM tracking and feedback

• Identify key metrics to assist Customer Experience.
• Report on Innovation's commercial performance and product portfolio health.
• Establish and maintain CRM tracking dashboard and compile monthly commercial performance reports.

For each responsibility, consider where AI, automation, systems or technology can assist or enhance delivery. Roles should be designed for future ways of working, not manual or legacy processes.

Experience & Skills

• Degree in Finance, Economics, Business Science, Commerce, Statistics or Data Analytics.
• 4–6 years in commercial analysis, business intelligence, strategy, data analytics or consulting.
• Experience developing financial models, business cases and commercial assessments.
• Experience analysing customer, market and commercial data to support business decisions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Experience with Power BI, SQL or similar reporting and data visualisation tools.
• Experience using AI-enabled productivity and analytical tools is advantageous.
• Strong technology awareness and a digitally driven mindset.
• ERP or Microsoft Dynamics experience is advantageous

Specific attributes:

• Proven ability to develop business cases and evaluate new opportunities. .
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Ability to interpret data trends and insights to support business decisions.
• Sound commercial acumen with an understanding of business drivers and opportunities.
• Experience using Power BI or similar business intelligence and data visualisation tools.

Desirable attributes:

• Renewable energy experience
• Pricing and market analysis experience
• SQL and Power BI
• Product development exposure

What Does Success Look Like?

By 3 Months

• I will understand SolarAfrica's products, customers and market landscape.
• I will be analysing key commercial, customer and market data sources.
• I will be providing initial insights and recommendations to support Innovation decisions.

By 6 Months

• I will be developing commercial models and business cases for new product opportunities.
• I will have established regular customer and market feedback loops with Sales and Marketing.
• I will be providing data-driven recommendations for the Innovation roadmap.

By 12 Months

• I will be recognised as a trusted source of commercial and market intelligence.
• I will have influenced product decisions through robust analysis and modelling.
• I will be helping identify and validate new growth opportunities for the business.

Core Values:

We hire, reward, and recognise our team against these values. It is imperative that you believe in these values and demonstrate them consistently.

• We are passionate and proud of what we do.
• We communicate candidly, especially when it is difficult
• We take the initiative, share our mistakes, and grow together
• We are dependable and take accountability
• No one person is bigger than the solution - no egos.

We are currently only considering candidates based in South Africa with valid working rights. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider applications from outside the country at this time.