Mohamed Ali BEN ABDALLAH

Mohamed Ali BEN ABDALLAH

Sales Director at Groupe Chimique Tunisien

mohamed-ali-benabdallah

Profile summary

During almost 17 years in phosphate and fertilizer trading, I have had the opportunity to build strong communication skills and develop solid professional relationships. Throughout my career, I have worked in an international environment, collaborating with traders, distributors, end users, and manufacturers from all over the world. I have also been actively involved in strengthening Government-to-Government partnerships through high-level governmental meetings and major international events gathering key global players in the fertilizer industry. Working within a department that reports directly to the Executive Management and the Board of Directors has allowed me to contribute closely to strategic and high-level decision-making processes. Due to its integrated supply chain, the fertilizer sector is highly exposed to global disruptions such as wars, economic crises, and pandemics, as it is directly linked to food security on one side and raw materials trading on the other. This environment has strengthened my ability to operate under pressure, adapt quickly, and manage complex international challenges.

Career highlights

I gained negotiations experience and enhanced my communication skills, learning to adapt and integrate effectively within diverse professional contexts.:

The General Commercial Department is organized into four export sales area in coordination with the scheduling Depatment and a Chartering Department. Throughout my experience, I have worked in almost of those dpts extensively with most markets and destinations, adapting to their specific requirements and collaborating with professionals of diverse nationalities. I have also occasionally served as interim Head of the Chartering Department and was a member of the chartering bid evaluation committee. This experience provided me with comprehensive, cross-functional training, particularly valuable in an industrial and international context.:

Working in a leading international company, gaining cross-cultural experience and build strategic networks with foreign business leaders and multinational companies, enhancing business development capabilities.:

Key skills

Skills
NegotiationCommunicationDecision makerLeadershipAdaptabilityOrganizational SkillsStrategic PlanningCross-Cultural ManagementSales Operations & AnalyticsChange Managementproblem solverWork in team

Professional experience

Sales Director for America, East Europe and Oceania & Interim Sales Director for Far EastMay 2024 - Sep 2025
Groupe Chimique Tunisien

For a second occasion incharged to be Interim Sales Director for Far East and as one of Tunisia’s most influential industrial groups, the Groupe Chimique Tunisien provided me again with the opportunity to participate in high-level governmental meetings in Tunisia and abroad, involving ministers, ambassadors, and senior state officials. I was entrusted with leading negotiations within Government-to-Government partnerships with the governments of Bangladesh and Indonesia, under the supervision of the Tunisian Minister of Industry. I also played a key role in Business-to-Business negotiations with our strategic partners in China and India, reinforcing long-term commercial cooperation and securing major supply agreements.

Sales Director for America, East Europe and Oceania & Interim Sales Director for Far EastNov 2022 - Aug 2023
Groupe Chimique Tunisien

I was selected to act as the interim Head of the Far East Sales Department, in addition to my responsibilities as Sales Director for America, Eastern Europe, and Oceania. This role strengthened my organizational skills and deepened my understanding of global market fundamentals. Asia represents one of the largest fertilizer-consuming regions in the world, with its own specific dynamics and requirements. Managing this portfolio also required adapting to significant time-zone differences between Tunisia and three major regions—Europe, Asia, and the Americas—enhancing my ability to coordinate effectively across continents. Highest turnover in Phosphoric Acid Y2023 (60% from total PhosAcid sales (Abt 120kt) mainly destinated to India).

Sales Director for America, East Europe and OceaniaMar 2021 - Present
Groupe Chimique Tunisien

As a sales director my job is mainly resumed in: · Conducting negotiation to achieve commercial strategic targets · Concepting in coordinating with the General Sales Director for the development of the commercial strategy. · Attending the international Fertilizers events · Assisting private partnerships and Gov-to-Gov cooperations main destination that we worked with are : USA, Brazil, Argentina, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Albania, Poland and others. Along this period I succeeded with my team to develop Easter Europe market by doubling the sales espacially 2023 - 2024 - 2025. Also I successfully expanded MAP/DAP sales in the United States through both an annual off-take agreement and spot transactions, and strengthened our TSP/SSP market presence in Brazil. to summarize, thanks to the whole team work we reached the Highest turnover in MAP Y2023 (70% from total MAP sales (Abt 200kt) and 30% from total DAP sales (Abt 110kt per year).

Deputy Sales Director for America, East Europe and OceaniaMar 2020 - Mar 2021
Groupe Chimique Tunisien

· Preparing the periodic activity reports and market analysis · Control the execution of the sales files. · Participate in the negotiation with the sales Director · Fixing the delivery schedule.

Deputy Sales Director for Near and Middle East and AfricaJul 2019 - Mar 2020
Groupe Chimique Tunisien

· Preparing the periodic activity reports and market analysis · Control the execution of the sales files. · Participate in the negotiation with the sales Director · Fixing the delivery schedule.

Department Manager for Near and Middle East and Africa sales departmentJul 2014 - Jun 2019
Groupe Chimique Tunisien

· Execution of all sales operations · In charge of the communication and the commercial instructions to shipping department

Deputy Department for Near and Middle East and Africa sales departmentJan 2009 - Jun 2014
Groupe Chimique Tunisien

· Operations

2008 – TrainingJun 2008 - Aug 2008
CARTHAGO CERAMIC

My Training was in the Commercia ldepartment of CARTHAGO CERAMIC one of the Tunisian famous company operating in Ceramic industry and I made a detailed report describing the different production steps and calculating /analysing the the whole process aiming to optimise the supply chain management

2006 – Training for one monthMay 2006 - Jun 2006
Rotin, Vannerie, Mahres (RVM ) | Maħres, Tunisia

Training in accounting department

2005 - TrainingJul 2005 - Sep 2005
Huard Tunisie Commerciale (LOUKIL Group) | Sfax, Tunisia

Training in accounting Department

Education

High School or equivalent, Economy / ManagmentJan 2003
LYCEE ALI BOURGUIBA – Mahres – Sfax
Master's, Logistics engineering and information and communication systemJan 2007 - Jan 2008
ENIS
Master's, AccountancyJan 2004 - Jan 2007
INSTITUT SUPÉRIEUR DE GESTION (ISG) - Sousse