Lean Operations Manager, Food Chains at Enviu

About the Role

We are developing several businesses in the food value chain in Kenya. Post-harvest losses in the chain are still enormous, reducing these losses impacts farmer income, consumer health and food security in Kenya. Our ambition is to build a professional fruit and vegetable chain for the local market in Kenya. To achieve this we are working on business solutions like cold storage, market linkage, and providing healthy meals to low-income workers. In most cases, developing innovative business models through lean validation in pilots is key. We are looking for an entrepreneurial lean operations manager who will develop our start-up projects into fully running enterprises at Enviu in Kenya, on a full-time basis.

You will:

• Work on 1 or 2 ventures, side by side with the cofounding entrepreneur of the venture

• Be the one challenging the entrepreneurial team to work as lean as possible. Build -Measure – Learn!

• Be a product manager who is responsible for defining the “market – value proposition – product” triangle

• Quickly prototype and test different business models or assumptions with the target group

• Perform in-depth primary and secondary research and root cause analysis into issues in food value chains

• Set up and structure new companies, including team, operational and accounting back-end, financial compliance, and so on.

• Analyze and improve the operations of an existing startup, together with the entrepreneur

• Plan and budget for your project(s)

• Analyse and control of revenues, costs and margin.

• Raise funds (both grants and equity); identify funders, financial modelling, prepare pitch deck, investor pitches and due diligence processes.

• Build key partnerships, with both large and small organizations

• Get the work of Enviu EA out there, on events, by building a network and sharing our work on the website

• Collaborate with the Dutch team. The job will include traveling to the Netherlands (once / twice a year).

You’d be perfect for the role if you have:

• A proven track record of at least 8 years working experience, out of which at least three years as entrepreneur, co-founder of a start-up or part of the management team of a company, preferably as social entrepreneur;

• Extensive experience in the fields of lean operation, agri-tech, and food logistics;

• Experience with working with smallholder farmers;

• A relevant network;

• The right attitude to work with people with all kind of backgrounds, from small farmers to investors or CEOs of multinationals;

• Led teams of 10+ people;

• Passion for social entrepreneurship;

• Empathy and are inquisitive;

• A hands-on, can-do approach;

• A Bachelor’s degree at a reputed institute;

• Experience in building partnerships and fundraising with commercial partners (investors, corporate, NGO, Government);

• Excellent leadership and communication skills;

• Substantial experience with Lean Startup and Human Centric Design methodologies;

Furthermore, the ideal candidate is a people manager, fluent in English, can work independently and has a good sense of humour. Although regular traveling is part of the job, the job will be performed in Nairobi, Kenya. Candidates who do not live in Kenya will not be considered.

What we can offer in return

• Competitive package with the opportunity to develop yourself in a truly unique and challenging international environment;

• A great opportunity to develop yourself both personally and professionally;

• A job with purpose and societal impact;

• The opportunity to build social enterprises;

• Working with a small group of talented, passionate and fun colleagues who share the ambition to change the world.