General Manager – Animal Feeds Manufacturing

Job Description: General Manager – Animal Feeds Manufacturing

Location: Thika ,Kiambu, Kenya

Job Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Managing Director.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Business Development:

• Business Strategy Development: Lead the creation and execution of the company’s business strategy, identifying new opportunities for growth and innovation in the animal feed sector. Establish clear short-term and long-term goals, aligned with market trends and customer needs.
• Market Expansion: Drive market penetration and expansion by developing strategies to increase market share by targeting new customers and exploring untapped markets, both domestically and internationally.
• Innovation & Product Development: Oversee the development of new and improved feed products tailored to changing customer demands.
• Competitive Analysis: Continuously assess market trends, customer preferences, and competitor activities. Ensure the company remains competitive by adjusting strategies as needed to respond to market dynamics and technological advancements.
• Operational Leadership: Direct and manage all business operations, including production, manufacturing, procurement, distribution, marketing, and sales, ensuring there is smooth coordination between departments. Establish a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Risk Management: Identify business risks, whether financial, operational, or external (e.g., supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes), and develop risk mitigation strategies. Lead the company’s risk management framework to safeguard the business from operational and financial risks.

Operational and Supply Chain Management:

•  Production Efficiency: Oversee and optimize the entire production process, including feed formulation, raw material procurement, production scheduling, quality control, and packaging. Ensure that production targets are met while maintaining cost-effectiveness and high standards of quality.
•  Inventory and Raw Material Management: Manage raw material procurement and inventory, ensuring a continuous and reliable supply chain of essential ingredients (e.g., grains, vitamins, minerals) at competitive prices. Implement best practices for inventory management to reduce wastage and ensure timely production.
• Facility and Equipment Management: Ensure that production facilities are well-maintained, compliant with local health and safety regulations, and equipped with the necessary technology to meet production goals. Oversee capital investment decisions related to plant upgrades, machinery, and automation to improve operational efficiency.
• Sustainability Practices: Ensure the company implements sustainable production methods, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, and the use of environmentally friendly practices. Oversee environmental compliance, ensuring the company adheres to local and international environmental regulations.
• Quality Control and Compliance: Establish and maintain quality assurance processes to ensure all products meet high nutritional standards and comply with local and international regulations . Lead efforts to continuously improve the company’s quality standards in response to customer feedback and regulatory changes.

Financial Management and Profitability:

•  Financial Planning and Budgeting: Develop and manage the company’s annual budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively across departments to achieve operational and strategic objectives. Monitor financial performance, providing regular reports to the Managing Director.
• Revenue Generation and Cost Control: Oversee the pricing strategy for feed products, ensuring competitive pricing that drives revenue while maintaining profitability. Analyze cost structures to identify opportunities for cost reduction, process improvements, and efficiency gains.
• Profitability Optimization: Implement strategies to improve margins across all product lines. Lead efforts to streamline operations, reduce wastage, and optimize production processes to enhance overall profitability.
• Cash Flow Management: Oversee cash flow and working capital management, ensuring the business has adequate liquidity to meet operational requirements, including paying suppliers, employees, and creditors. Develop financial models to forecast future revenue and expenses.

Team Leadership:

• Team Leadership and Motivation: Provide strong leadership and direction to the teams. Build a high-performance culture, focusing on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Develop leadership within the company by mentoring senior managers and nurturing high-potential talent.
• Staff Development and Training: Ensure all employees receive the necessary training and development to perform their roles effectively. Foster a culture of learning and development to ensure the company has a skilled, adaptable workforce.
• Recruitment and Retention: Work with HR to attract and retain top talent across all functions. Develop competitive compensation and benefits packages, as well as employee engagement strategies to reduce turnover and improve job satisfaction.
• Performance Management: Implement robust performance management processes, including regular evaluations, feedback, and goal-setting for all employees. Ensure that employees are aligned with the company’s strategic goals and are motivated to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs).

Stakeholder and Regulatory Relations:

• External Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including government agencies, regulators, industry associations, and suppliers. Ensure the company’s interests are represented in policy discussions and industry forums.
• Government Relations and Regulatory Compliance: Oversee the company’s adherence to government regulations, including food safety standards, labor laws, and environmental policies. Ensure compliance with national and international industry standards, such as ISO, HACCP, and local agricultural regulations.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science, Animal Nutrition, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field
• Master’s degree or MBA is highly desirable.
• Additional certifications in Supply Chain Management, Quality Assurance, or other relevant fields would be advantageous.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of progressive experience within the animal feed, agriculture, or food production industries.
• At least 5 years of experience in management, overseeing operations, production, finance, sales, and marketing in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of driving business growth, increasing profitability, and leading cross-functional teams.
• Deep knowledge of supply chain management, raw material procurement, inventory management, and production processes in the feed industry.
• Experience managing P&L (Profit and Loss) and budgets at a corporate level.

Desired Skills:

• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making abilities, with a focus on operational efficiency and bottom-line results.
• Excellent financial management skills, including budget development, financial forecasting, and cost control.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to motivate, manage, and develop a diverse workforce.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, both written and verbal.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions.

Desired Personality/Traits

• Proactive, results-driven, and focused on continuous improvement.
• Customer-oriented, with a deep understanding of customer needs and market trends.
• Strong ethical values, integrity, and a commitment to sustainable practices.
• Innovative and able to drive change in a competitive and fast-evolving market.
• Resilient and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.