Managing Directors at Kenya Tea Development Agency (MS) Ltd

Reporting to the Board of Directors the successful candidate will be responsible for providing strategic and business leadership in KETEPA by driving profitable growth investments, increasing the business and market share, new product development and external stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities 

• Providing leadership and direction to all departments by setting high-level goals with departmental heads, performance oriented objectives and working together on attaining such goals.
• Initiating, co-ordinating and participating in the conceptualization and development of the Company’s strategic plans, business plans and objectives and facilitate the implementation and monitoring of the same in liaison with the Board
• Providing necessary linkage/interface between the Board, Employees and the Shareholders at KETEPA by providing both parties with adequate information needed to carry out their responsibilities;
• Ensuring effective monitoring of staff activities to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery;
• Establishing and maintaining effective system of communications throughout KETEPA to ensure that the responsibilities, authorities, and accountabilities of the entire workforce are clearly defined and understood;
• Ensuring compliance with the Act, Regulations, ISO Certification, NEMA, Rules, By-laws and any other applicable laws and advice on the formulation of policies and procedures and ensure their implementation of and adherence;
• Providing guidance, leadership, and direction to the Senior Management Team in order to facilitate the achievement of KETEPA’s Vision, Mission and Values.
• Providing leadership in business growth and customer service in line with the strategy for the Company;
• Overseeing financial management and investment undertakings by ensuring that sound policies and practices are adopted for optimal utilization and returns as well as ensuring adherence to the Company’s budget
• Overseeing effective management of human resources for optimal productivity through policies and strategies that attract and retain qualified and competent staff.
• Ensuring safety of the Company’s assets, employees and officials by taking adequate insurance cover;
• Oversee strategic review of KETEPA’s performance on a quarterly basis in order to determine whether they are meeting its short-and long-term objectives and come up with measures that guarantee sustainable competitive advantage;
• Managing change through adopting policies and strategies that will ensure the effectiveness and business survival in delivery of services;

 Person Specifications:

The ideal candidate must possess:

• Bachelor of Commerce degree, or related field
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, or any other relevant Master’s degree is an added advantage
• Minimum fifteen (15) years’ experience, five (5) years of which should be at a senior management level in a large and dynamic production business entity.
• Must have a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing or equivalent.
• Strong visionary with proven leadership qualities.
• Professional expertise and financial orientation.
• Self-starting initiative with organization astuteness and team spirit.
• Ability to manage talent and mentor employees.
• Strong interpersonal skills including communication, persuasion, motivation, loyalty, and openness.
• Individual of unquestionable integrity, credibility, and character.
• Must demonstrate high level strategic thinking with ability to drive and execute the organizations strategic plan
• Must have experience working with boards and have a clear understanding of corporate governance principles
• Should demonstrate the ability to targets and initiates business partnerships with other companies.
• Should have a strong business acumen and ability to influence stakeholders.

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Position scope

Reporting to the Board of Directors KTDA MS and functionally to the Group Chief Executive Officer, the successful candidate will be responsible for effective strategic leadership of the Company and KTDA managed factories.

Key Responsibilities 

• Providing strategic advice and leadership in the development and implementation of KTDA MS and the managed factories strategic & annual business plans.
• Establishing, directing and managing KTDA managed factory’s managerial, financial and operational systems, policies, procedures and controls.
• Developing and implementing effective advisory services to KTDA managed factories to ensure they run effectively, efficiently and profitably.
• Establishing opportunities for market growth as well as developing value added products for the managed factories.
• Promoting relationship management and networking with local, global business partners and stakeholders.
• Nurturing the organizations human resources by ensuring that appropriate management policies and structures are developed and implemented.
• Ensuring sound ethical conduct by staff in the company and managed factories.
• Ensuring the company’s strategy is communicated to direct reports and the rest of the company.
• Ensuring optimum employee levels in the factories with least amount of overhead and raw material costs to meet annual budgetary plan.
• Formulating and recommending manufacturing policies and programs that guide the organization in maintaining and improving its competitive position.
• Setting and implementing operating standards essential to manufacturing procedures across the factories
• Keeping abreast on information and technology affecting tea production to increase innovation and ensure compliance.
• Participating in dispute resolution by working with relevant functions, government agencies and other stakeholders to resolve Board and shareholder disputes at the factories
• Ensuring effective implementation of factory projects.
• Continuously monitor local and global market trends for the tea industry and advice the board accordingly.
• Ensuring development of maintenance, safety and process standards in all factory companies.
• Working together with HR to negotiate terms and handle grievances with the Union.
• Establishing clear quantitative and qualitative performance targets for all staff to improve operational performance, and to regularly monitor delivery of these targets while taking steps to address any inadequacy.
• Working closely with other departments to positively influence the production of quality teas in the factories.

Qualifications/Skills/Experience

The ideal candidate must possess the following qualifications and competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science & Technology, Engineering, Agriculture or related field.
• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Economics or business related field is an added advantage.
• Post graduate or professional diploma in Management from a recognized institution.
• Minimum fifteen (15) years’ experience, five (5) years of which should be at a senior management level.
• Experience in Food Processing in a large Corporation preferably in Tea Processing Enterprise.
• Must have demonstrated ability to handle divisional budgets, resources, processes, projects and relationships.
• Should have thorough knowledge of the relevant industry/sector as well as knowledge of regulatory requirements affecting the relevant sector.
• Must be capable of functioning effectively both as a team player and a team leader.
• Must have strategic leadership skills with ability to build strategic relationships.
• Should have experience in change management and the ability to drive change in a team.
• Must have high standards of integrity and ethical practice.
• Should have high level problem solving and decision making abilities.
• Should be an effective communicator with the ability to handle high level communication.
• Should be result oriented with ability to deliver desired outcome.
• Should demonstrate ability to identify and respond to risk areas within the division.
• Should have effective people management and conflict resolution skills.
• Must demonstrate ability to handle multiple and conflicting priorities, and work under strict deadlines.