Richmond K. Aguiar

Richmond K. Aguiar
General Manager | Business Development Leader
Resident: Ghana-Nigeria |
richmondaguiar@yahoo.com |
+233 244774226 / +234 8065601325

General Manager | Business Development Leader
Resident: Ghana-Nigeria | richmondaguiar@yahoo.com | +233 244774226 / +234 8065601325

Professional Summary

Accomplished General Manager with over 15 years of expertise in business development, subsidiary setup, and revenue growth across multiple sectors, including agribusiness, industrial, and government contracts. Currently serving as the General Manager for Pureco Africa, overseeing the company’s strategic business plan, market entry, and operations in Ghana. Proven track record of securing high-value contracts, including a USD $36 million solar water heater project with the Nigerian Armed Forces and a USD $240 million deal for 3,000 John Deere tractors with the Nigerian government. Awarded the GHC 5000.00 sales prize at Standard Chartered Bank for exceeding sales targets and setting departmental records. Delivered 35% revenue growth and expanded market share by 20% for Ariston Group. Skilled in P&L management, client and stakeholder relations, and project execution in competitive markets.

Key Skills:

Market Expansion & Subsidiary Setup: Extensive experience in establishing new business operations in African markets, aligning legal, operational, and strategic goals for sustainable growth.
Agribusiness & Industrial Sector Expertise: Proven success in leading large-scale agribusiness and industrial projects, including securing multi-million-dollar deals such as a USD $240 million John Deere tractor contract, and expanding market share in competitive environments.
Strategic Sales & Revenue Growth: Developed and implemented sales strategies resulting in significant revenue increases, including a 35% rise at Ariston Group. Expert in negotiating high-value contracts, driving sales, and maximizing profitability.
Project Management: Led the successful delivery of complex projects, managing resources, budgets, and timelines. Notable achievements include securing a USD $36 million solar water heater project and overseeing its successful execution.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Well-versed in navigating regulatory frameworks across diverse African markets, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, and business standards while driving operational efficiency.
Client & Government Relations: Adept at managing key stakeholder relationships with governments, large organizations, and corporate clients. Richmond has secured major deals with government entities, including a USD $25 million contract in Nigeria.
Team Leadership & Development: Proven ability to lead and mentor diverse teams, improving operational efficiency and fostering innovation. Successfully led cross-functional teams, boosting productivity by 15% and improving overall performance.
Financial & P&L Management: Expertise in managing P&L, optimizing resource allocation, and improving return on investment by up to 25%. Successfully increased profitability while reducing operational costs.
Supply Chain & Resource Optimization: Skilled in managing supply chains and optimizing resources for complex projects, ensuring smooth operations and timely project delivery across multiple regions.
Strategic Planning & Execution: Developed comprehensive business strategies aligned with market demands, ensuring long-term growth and sustainability in sectors like agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.

Professional Experience

General Manager – Pureco Africa, Ghana
12/2023 – Present

Developed and executed the company’s strategic business plan, aligning short-term and long-term goals with the company’s mission and vision.
Continuously monitored industry trends, market dynamics, and emerging technologies to make informed strategic decisions.
Established and nurtured trust relationships with key stakeholders and partners, driving business growth and expansion.
Led the recruitment, training, and mentoring of a team of professionals, including engineers, project managers, and administrative staff.
Fostered a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the organization.
Set performance standards and provided regular feedback to team members, ensuring operational excellence.
Oversaw the planning, execution, and successful delivery of projects, managing project budgets, schedules, and resources effectively.
Anticipated and resolved problematic situations to ensure overall company growth and compliance with quality control, safety, and environmental regulations.
Identified and pursued new business opportunities, expanding the company’s client base and market presence.
Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with existing and potential clients, contributing to business development and sales growth.
Provided regular performance reports and key performance indicators to company owners, ensuring open and effective communication throughout the organization.

Snr Country Manager –(Contract)- Ariston Group – Central Africa 09/2021 – 10/2023

Formulated and executed sales and marketing strategies, achieving a 35% increase in annual revenue, a 20% growth in market share, and a 25% reduction in functional processes to reduce costs.
Innovated marketing campaigns, resulting in a 40% increase in brand awareness, a 25% rise in customer engagement, and a 15% improvement in ROI.
Cultivated and maintained key client relationships, leading to a 30% increase in repeat business and a 25% boost in overall customer satisfaction.
Managed a multimillion-dollar budget, optimizing resource allocation while achieving a 25% increase in ROI through targeted marketing initiatives.
Fostered a collaborative work environment, enhancing cross-functional team efficiency by 20% and overall productivity by 15%.
Orchestrated market expansion strategy, entering three new international markets, and revenue growth exceeded aggressive growth targets.

Key Achievements:

Secured a USD $36 million solar water heater housing project deal with the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Sealed the USD $800,000 deal with a hospitality chain in Lagos and Port Harcourt in 2023.
Established an open trade market in Ghana and Nigeria, generating an annual revenue of USD $213 million in 2022.

Managing Director / Karcher Group Nigeria – Agribusiness – Ghana, Nigeria 01/2019 – 09/2021

Collaborated with 10 partner managers to establish agreements on resource allocation, resulting in a 15% increase in operational efficiency and a 20% reduction in resource-related conflicts.
Set up and monitored business targets, leading to a 25% improvement in overall performance and a 30% increase in revenue within the first year of implementation.
Administered projects focused on portfolio optimization, resulting in a 20% increase in product profitability and a 15% reduction in operational costs.
Spearheaded the evaluation and selection of commercial opportunities, leading to a 25% increase in business acquisitions and a 20% growth in new market penetration within the region.

Key Achievements:

Closed a USD $1.3 million industrial pressure blower deal in 2020 with Larfarge and Bua cement for Klinka cleaning.
Secured a USD $25 million deal in 2021 with the Cross River State for 10 projects, funded by the French government.
Finalized a USD $13 million deal in 2020 at the Jubilee oil fields in Ghana for post-extraction cleaning and oil spillage.

Divisional Strategic Accounts and Government Sales Manager / John Deere (PTY) Limited – West and Central Africa 07/2014 – 12/2018

Incorporated planning and territorial sales management techniques, resulting in a 40% increase in income within a 6-month time frame.
Cultivated and maintained financially beneficial relationships with key account holders and government institutions, leading to a 25% increase in high-value contracts and partnerships.
Achieved account and strategic objectives, capturing a yield in market share, and achieving a 20% rise in client satisfaction by leveraging resources and implementing targeted sales strategies.
Established an account planning process in a collaborative company setting, aligning performance objectives, financial targets, and critical milestones, increasing target achievement over a 1.3-year period.

Territory Manager / John Deere (PTY) Limited Ghana- Ghana, Ivory-Coast, Nigeria, Senegal and DRC – 07/2014 – 06/2016

Implemented sustainable and profitable revenue generation systems, leading to a 25% increase in overall revenue and the establishment of 10 new strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.
Conducted comprehensive market research and analysis, providing crucial insights to dealers, and contributing to a 20% improvement in strategic business planning and decision-making processes.
Developed and implemented policies and procedures, driving a 20% growth in the B2B segment within the agribusiness industry, fostering long-term sustainable development and market expansion.

Key Achievements:

Closed a USD $240 million deal with the Federal Government of Nigeria/NAMEL for 3000 units of John Deere tractors and implements.
Obtained a USD $118 million deal with the USAID project in Burkina Faso in 2016.
Influenced the India EXIM project, with deal closed at USD $800,000 for 50 units of 65HP tractors in 2018.

Territory Manager / Forte/AP Oil PLC – Ghana -Nigeria 04/2010 – 07/2014

Leveraged on finance and technical equipment sales knowledge to secure benchmark deals with leading mining, oil, and gas companies, increase annual revenue, and acquire five key accounts within a 12-month period.
Responsible for identifying capable dealers/distributors and managing dealer and footprint expansion.
Completed strategies to secure major accounts across 15 locations, leading to a 25% improvement in customer retention rates.
Influenced strategic direction of all key accounts (capex and opex), driving a 35% increase in business growth and maximizing revenue opportunities within the telecommunications sector.

Key Achievements:

Annexed 12 competitor filling and LPG station brands in Nigeria and Ghana, accumulating USD $3 million between FY12 and FY14.
Achieved 48% sales growth in the diesel and LPG segment, generating USD $700,000 within six months by selling to agro-processing companies in Ghana and Nigeria in 2013.
Developed and executed a Go -To – Market strategy that onboarded mining and construction companies with the supply of White products and LPG which generated $70,000 monthly as revenue.
Received the Best Business Manager Award from Forte Oil’s channel partner, AP Oil PLC, in 2014.

Activities and Honors

Key Account Management (Growing Business) – Nokia
Sales and KYC Training – Standard Chartered Bank
Leadership through Quality – Sprint PCS-Telecom Group
Account Management: Selling System – Sprint PCS-Telecom Group
Profitability Analysis Training – Forte Oil Academy
Enterprise Customer Acquisition Program – John Deere University
Customer Experience Training – John Deere University

Awards

President’s Award for enabling the prosperity of small-holder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, John Deere, 2015.
MD-SSA Recognition Award for successful adoption of AGILE and excellence in project management, John Deere, 2017.
GHC 5000.00 Sales Prize for exceeding sales targets and setting departmental records, Standard Chartered Bank, 2006-2007.
Best Business Manager Award – Forte Oil’s channel partner AP Oil PLC, 2014.

Professional Affiliations

Key Account Managers – Institute of Administration and Commerce
PMP – Project Management Professional

Professional Affiliations

Key Account Managers – Institute of Administration and Commerce
PMP – Project Management Professional