General Manager - East Africa at CA Global

Manages and directs the Manufacturing and Logistics function of the operating unit in order to ensure that production targets and standards are achieved and that production runs optimally in order to achieve the Division’s strategic objectives and targets. Provide new business development and growth of the product ranges within the geographic spectrum of operations.
 
Education & Experience Required:

• Relevant tertiary Logistics and/or Production qualification (i.e. B. Com / Industrial / Engineering degree);
• Related post-graduate qualification preferred;
• 8-10 years relevant experience in a Manufacturing environment;
• 8-10 years general management and new business development with in East Africa;
• 10 years + in a senior management position;
• 10 years + experience in budgets, financial modelling and management accounts;
• Well-developed customer relationship management skills;
• Bedding / furniture industry manufacturing experience;
• Strong general management experience across portfolio’s (finance, operations, production, human resources, technical, marketing and sales).

Competencies and Behavioural Indicators
 
Knowledge:

• Finance, Production, Corporate governance, Commercial / contractual law, General management, Supply chain and logistics, Procurement and Quality management

Skills/Abilities:

• MS Excel, MS Suite, English (written and spoken), Relevant legislation (labour, OHS, Road & Traffic, Company etc.), Budgeting, financial modelling, cost control, management accounts, Commercial / contractual law and Syspro.

 
Key Performance Areas (KPA’s)
 
Compliance:

• Group Ethics Policy, Group financial policies, Group SHEQ policies, Group HR policies, Labour and associated regulations, Relevant legislation of the country of operation, ISO9000 and Quality management systems.

Key Decisions:

• Collaborate in setting of annual targets and budgets for the unit and associated operations
• Strategic planning and implementation of initiatives for the unit
• Delegation and assignment of personnel to operational activities
• Review and management of costs against budget, including excessive expenditure control
• Review and consideration of technical proposals
• Preparation of operational & manufacturing proposals or changes
• Optimisation of cost : benefit solutions
• Review of service level agreements and terms, and escalation for approval as required
• Production and operational planning
• Logistics and warehousing infrastructure requirements and management
• Supply chain management
• Business development, negotiation and market expansion

Planning:

• Collaborate in the development and implementation of the business strategy
• Identify and implement business development initiative and market growth strategies
• Coordinate special projects and initiatives
• Supply chain optimisation
• Peak planning
• Resource allocation and optimisation
• Staffing and human capital optimisation
• Collaborate in the development and implementation of suitable business continuity planning

Areas of responsibility:
 
Core Functions - Areas of Responsibility:

• Develops and implements the unit’s operational strategy and production plan, in line with the Group Strategy, in order to achieve the Division’s strategic objectives.
• Manages and controls the full manufacturing process from converting raw materials to finished goods in order to deliver good quality products on time and in accordance with the customer’s needs.
• Oversee the coordination of production of raw materials and product volumes in order to minimise unnecessary costs and enhance the lead time of producing good quality products.
• Identifies areas where improvements of the production process and finished goods quality can be made in order to produce better quality products in less time and/or at a lower cost.
• Oversees the logistical process and warehousing in order to achieve effective delivery of finished goods to the customer and receive the required materials for daily production output.
• Manages the full ordering process to ensure accurate and timeous capturing of orders and to ensure that production outputs meet the requested orders to distribute to customers.
• Reviews and manages the budget of the Operations Department according to the Division’s set budget to minimise overspending.
• Manages and ensures that all the plants are compliant to the Organisational Health and Safety Act and Group internal Health and Safety Policies and Procedures in order to reduce accident rates in the plants.
• Identify new business development opportunities and maximise penetration into market to secure market share and growth.
• Identify and develop key stakeholder relationships to support business development and market penetration.
• Investigate parallel markets for Lounge product integration into business operations.
• Oversees the branding and marketing drive into the African market to enhance visibility and brand awareness.

Ancillary Functions - Areas of responsibility

• Manages the maintenance of all the necessary facilities and equipment (warehouse, plants, and fleet) of the unit according to the internal policies to ensure safe working conditions and functional equipment.
• Manages the stock levels on a continuous basis in order to ensure it is aligned with the budget.
• Conducts a regular forecast of operational expenditure and production output in order to assess variances and apply corrective action.

Consumer Intimacy - Areas of responsibility:

• Oversees the Customer Care function to ensure queries are dealt with timeously and according to the internal policies to ensure improvement of service and product delivery.
• Initiates and maintains good relationships with key stakeholders in order to ensure future business and favourable terms for the Division.
• Focuses on identifying key and critical stakeholders and develops strong working relationships with such partners.
• Identifies and maximise marketing and engagement opportunities to ensure penetration of brand and entrenchment in market to drive market foothold and expansion.

People Centricity - Areas of responsibility:

• Manages all aspects of production staff with regards to Human Resources processes and procedures in line with policy to ensure equity and a productive workforce.
• Manages and provides training and development, employee relations, annual remuneration reviews, recruitment, selection and placement and performance appraisals of direct subordinates for the Division, within the Group’s Human Resources policy framework.