Chief Executive Officer - Flexible Packaging (10-20 yrs)

Client is a leading manufacturer in Tanzania, specializing in the production of cement and raffia bags, Flexible packaging products, Agri products, Garments, Re-usable Sanitary pads (SafePads). We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to head our AtoZ Group Limited.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced and knowledgeable technical candidate to lead our Woven Polypropylene Cement Bags and Raffia Bags Division (cement bags, sugar bags, fertilizer bags, jumbo bags, agricultural bags, Flexible packaging products, Agri products, Garments, Re-usable Sanitary pads). The ideal candidate shall possess strong leadership ability, excellent communication skills, and a good breadth of knowledge in the industry. The candidate shall be able to effectively manage people, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and minimize operational costs. Additionally, fluency in Swahili would be highly advantageous for this role.

Key Roles & Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership: Lead all the divisions with a focus on driving growth, profitability and operational excellence. Develop and implement a strategic vision focusing on increasing efficiency, minimizing expenses, and driving innovation.

2. Technical Expertise: Possess an in-depth understanding of the manufacturing processes, technical specifications, and quality standards associated in the manufacturing industry with various products ranges. Stay updated with industry trends and technological advancements.

3. Operational Management: Analyze market trends, identify opportunities for expansion, and develop innovative strategies to drive business growth. Oversee the day-to-day operations of the division, including production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to ensure timely and efficient manufacturing processes. Manage sales and marketing activities across various countries, ensuring a strong market presence and customer satisfaction.

4. Efficiency Improvement: Identify opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and cost-saving measures to increase operational efficiency and improve profitability.

5. Quality Assurance: Establish and enforce rigorous quality control standards to ensure that all products meet or exceed customer expectations and industry standards.

6. Technical Innovation: Drive continuous improvement initiatives, exploring new technologies, materials, and production methods to enhance product performance, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.

7. Goal setting Responsibilities: Responsible for setting goals that align with the organizational objectives. We must also develop and implement actionable strategies to help the team to meet their targets. Set key performance indicators to measure success. Regularly review performance metrics. Make strategy adjustments as necessary.

8. Team Management: Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team, including production managers, engineers, quality control specialists, and other relevant personnel. Foster a culture of collaboration, motivation, and continuous professional development.

9. Time Management and Decision-Making Skills: Shall strictly adhere to the timely deadlines and be strong enough to take effective decisions in day-to-day operations to improve organization efficiency. Shall submit the reports and analysis in a timely manner to the Board of Management.

10. Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal stakeholders, such as sales, marketing, and procurement, to understand customer needs, market trends, and product requirements. Maintain effective communication channels to facilitate cross-functional collaboration.

11. Budgeting and Financial Management: Develop and manage budgets for the division, ensuring cost-effective operations and resource allocation while achieving financial targets.

12. Regulatory Compliance: Stay informed about relevant industry regulations, standards, and certifications, ensuring that the division operates in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

13. Swahili Language Skills: Communicate effectively with Swahili-speaking team members, customers, and suppliers to build strong relationships and leverage business opportunities.

Qualifications and Skill sets:

- Shall be a graduate/post-graduate in Engineering or in a related field. Additional certification in Business Management/Administration, Production and operations management will be an advantage.

- Shall be a mature candidate possessing 7+ years of experience in the same industry. Proven track record in the manufacturing industry, with experience in managing a plant with multiple verticals.

- Technical background with expertise in overseeing production processes and optimizing efficiency.

- Membership in any of the professional Management boards/bodies is an added advantage.

- Familiarity with top-quality European machinery and advanced technology machinery used in this industry.

- Experience in working in Africa, particularly in the manufacturing sector, is advantageous.

- Shall have Strong technical expertise in production processes, materials, and quality control standards,

- Involving training and development of the core team and down the line if deemed necessary to upskill their expertise,

- Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale manufacturing operations and delivering high-quality products on time and within budget,

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders,

- Exceptional leadership and team management abilities of managing various teams, with a demonstrated capacity to motivate and inspire teams to achieve common organizational goals,

- Shall possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed decisions based on data and market insights,

- Shall be Proficient in budgeting, financial analysis, and cost management,

- Shall equip with Up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, innovations, and regulatory requirements,

- Fluency in Swahili would be highly advantageous,

- Shall possess Demonstrative ability to drive technical innovation, increase efficiency, and minimize expenses.