GENERAL Job Description :
This position has the overall responsibilities of:
Delivering strategic plans and aligned budgets and on board's approval executes to achieve quarterly and annual financial, commercial, operating targets and other assignments as may be directed by The Board.
Carries the businesses vision and executes the mission to consistently achieve it. Executes the mission by managing the organization efficiently and effectively, enabling capacity building capabilities, innovation, other forward-looking aspects to ensure current, five to ten-year financial, commercial, operational growth and sustainability targets are met.
Is the custodian of and leverages tangible and intangible assets and other resources. Responsible for high performing, high potential human resources, compliance, controls, productivity; safety, health, environmental protections.
Maintains and leverages an up to date understanding of relevant developments in the country, marketplace and local trade. Generates, maintains and builds all necessary contacts (high level customer contacts including multinational subsidiary CEOs, Government, local relevant associations, etc.) in the country, region.
The position is based in Nairobi and travels at least 50% of time.
SPECIFIC JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible and accountable for the following core job elements:
Lead the development and continuing execution against the company's 2026- 2030 strategy which leads into the 2050 strategy in formation, always aligned with Board-approved objectives.
Translate strategy into clear operational plans, KPIs, and execution roadmaps across all functions and markets. Ensure goal alignment (plans, budgets, financial and operating targets, other) and optimize resource allocation across and through the organization.
Drive growth initiatives including market expansion and deepening, build and strengthen third party partnerships, portfolio optimization, innovation and new product pipelines, and route-to-market effectiveness.
The CEO is the lead office in consolidating information and data to enable clarity in anticipating industry trends, competitive dynamics, regulatory changes, and to proactively lead positioning the business for advantage and resilience.
Hold full P&L, balance sheet and cash flow accountability, ensuring delivery of revenue growth, gross margin improvement, EBITDA targets, and resource optimization.
Oversee budgeting, forecasting, capital allocation, cost discipline, and prudential decisions across the organization.
Ensure strong financial controls, risk management, and compliance with statutory and reporting requirements.
Drive productivity, operational efficiency, and return on investment across manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial operations.
Provide executive oversight of manufacturing operations, ensuring high standards of safety, quality, capacity utilization, and cost efficiency.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives (OEE, waste reduction, process optimization, automation, and lean practices).
Ensure supply chain resilience, effective demand planning, inventory optimization, and supplier relationship management.
Champion compliance with quality, food safety, regulatory, and ESG standards.
Provide strategic oversight to sales, marketing, and trade execution to ensure sustainable volume growth and brand equity.
Ensure strong customer partnerships, effective key account management, and excellence in general trade, modern trade, and export markets.
Guide innovation, product development, pricing strategies, and portfolio profitability in line with consumer and market insights.
Ensure disciplined execution of go-to-market strategies and commercial excellence frameworks.
Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing executive leadership team aligned to the company's values and strategic priorities.
Set the tone for culture, ethics, accountability, and performance across the organization.
Ensure robust succession planning, leadership development, and talent management across all critical roles.
Champion employee engagement, capability building, and a strong employer value proposition.
Serve as the primary link between Management and the Board, ensuring timely, accurate, and insightful reporting on performance, risks, and opportunities.
Ensure strong corporate governance, compliance with laws and regulations, and adherence to Board policies.
Identify, assess, and mitigate enterprise risks, including operational, financial, reputational, and regulatory risks.
Support Board committees and ensure execution of Board resolutions.
EDUCATIONAL AND COLLATERAL REQUIREMENTS:
An undergraduate degree from an accredited University. An MBA degree in Marketing or Management and experience in FMCG multi-national environment is preferable.
Fifteen or more years' senior commercial management experience, with a minimum of seven years in a General Manager, Country Manager, or equivalent leadership role, preferably in manufacturing, FMCG, or distribution-led environments. Diverse and international exposure desired.
A strong track record of leading the delivery of FMCG business growth against sustainable distribution and sales growth, profitability, innovation, managing people and other resources. Demonstrated leadership by managing the business fairly independently, while leading an executive team of professionals to deliver sustainable growth.
Demonstrated understanding of financial report details, commercial KPIs, other functional top line KPIs, regulatory compliance, board functions in a similar organization and the distributive trade in East Africa.
Experience leading multi-functional and large teams, senior departmental heads effectively. Grasps issues quickly, identifies risks and makes fact-based decisions well.
Must be able to represent company at all levels of interaction in the country responsibly. Be appropriately networked or demonstrate ability to network with the trade, other stakeholders and appropriately leverage relationships for the business.
An entrepreneurial spirit, 'street smarts', solution-based thinking, numerate and outstanding presentation skills.
The fiduciary responsibilities call for demonstrated utmost integrity, a self-starter, mature individual capable of delivering under pressure, some ambiguity and competing demands for extended periods.