Chief Operations Officer - Kenya

JOB PURPOSE:

• Lead and transform end-to-end operations in Kenya from Head Office to field execution, embedding strong cost discipline, operational controls, and accountability. Drive a measurable reduction in cost base and sustained productivity gains through hands-on leadership, rigorous performance management, and continuous improvement.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Duties and Key Responsibility Areas

(What is Done, to What, and Why)

• Own end-to-end Kenya operations performance, ensuring consistent execution, service levels, and operational governance across all sites and routes/branches.
• Deliver a cost-reduction and productivity program: baseline the cost base, identify structural and quick-win savings, execute initiatives, and track benefits realization with clear ownership.
• Build an execution-led operating cadence (daily/weekly/monthly): KPIs, visual management, problem-solving routines, and corrective action follow-through to improve reliability and accountability.
• Strengthen operational controls and compliance: SOPs, delegations, inventory/cash/asset controls, vendor controls, and audit-ready documentation; reduce leakage, waste, and operational risk.
• Re-design processes and organization for efficiency: simplify workflows, optimize staffing and rosters, improve throughput and cycle times, and standardize best practices across the network.
• Lead supply chain and logistics optimization: demand planning discipline, procurement governance, vendor performance management, fleet/route optimization, and inventory accuracy to reduce working capital and cost-to-serve.
• Drive performance of branch/field operations through direct site engagement, coaching, and rapid issue resolution; set clear targets and hold teams accountable for delivery.
• Partner with Finance to embed cost visibility and discipline: unit economics, budget ownership, variance reviews, capex prioritization, and ROI-based decision-making.
• Lead a turnaround/change agenda: challenge legacy ways of working, manage resistance, communicate clear expectations, and build a high-performance operations culture.
• Develop operational talent and succession: recruit/upgrade key roles where needed, set performance contracts, and build capability in Lean/CI, controls, and frontline leadership.
• Implement 'Performance Management the Alliad Way' by setting KPIs for direct reports (when applicable), conduct regular reviews, identify training requirements and provide a coaching, mentoring and supportive role.
• Ensures adherence to quality standards and applicable regulatory requirements in Food Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, and Environment.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Typical Level of Interaction
• Advanced: Influence using logic and facts. Communication is important to the achievement of job objectives.
• Expert: Win the hearts and minds, changing opinion of people. Critical in achieving the job objectives.
• Primary Internal Contacts
• Country CEO – Kenya
• Chief Financial Officer / Finance Director – Kenya
• Commercial/Sales Director – Kenya
• HR Manager – Kenya
• Level of Audience (Internal)

Typical level of audience

• Middle Management / Seasoned Professional
• Senior / Top Management
• Primary External Contacts
• Key suppliers and service providers (logistics, facilities, contractors, utilities) for cost, SLA, and performance management
• Regulators and government agencies as required for operational compliance, permits, and inspections
• Key customers/partners for service performance reviews, escalations, and operational improvements
• Level of Audience (External)
• Senior / Top Management

KEY JOB DIMENSIONS AND RELATED JOB RESULTS

People Management:

• Direct leadership of the Kenya operations leadership team and branch/field operations managers, including performance contracts and succession planning.
• Build and enforce a high-accountability culture through clear targets, consequences, coaching, and capability building.
• Lead change management across HO and field teams during turnaround, restructuring, and process standardization.
• Financial Dimension:
• Accountable for Kenya operations OPEX efficiency and delivery of agreed cost-reduction targets and productivity benefits.
• Owns/approves operational budgets and capex prioritization within delegated authority, ensuring ROI-based decisions and benefits tracking.
• Drives working capital improvements through inventory accuracy, procurement governance, and cost-to-serve optimization.

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

• High-visibility, hands-on role requiring frequent travel to branches/sites and time in field operations to ensure execution.
• Fast-paced turnaround environment with pressure to deliver measurable cost reduction, control improvements, and service reliability within tight timelines.
• Requires rapid decision-making, cross-functional coordination, and management of operational risk, safety, and compliance obligations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/ EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE/ TRAINING/ KNOWLEDGE

Education & Professional Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field (required).
• MBA or Master's in Operations/Supply Chain/Management (preferred).
• Relevant professional membership/certification in supply chain/operations (e.g., CIPS, APICS/ASCM) is an advantage.

Work Experience:

• 12+ years of progressive operations leadership experience within multinational/international organizations, including multi-site/branch operations.
• Proven track record leading major cost reduction and productivity programs, with measurable results and sustained control discipline.
• Experience in turnaround, transformation, or scaling operations in a complex environment; demonstrated ability to lead HO-to-field execution.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

• End-to-end operations leadership: service delivery, branch/site managem