Group Chief Operating Officer

Job Description:

Job Description – Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Position Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Group Company

Location: East Africa (with frequent regional/international travel)

Reports To: Group CEO / Chairman

Direct Reports: Divisional Heads of all the group companies

Supervises: 5000+ employees across multiple facilities

 Company Overview

A major East African industrial conglomerate and a significant regional employer, renowned for its strong commitment to gender diversity. The organization operates a highly diversified portfolio of manufacturing and service businesses, producing a wide range of essential industrial and consumer goods.

Candidate Profile Summary

An accomplished senior operations leader with 15-20 years of experience driving performance within large-scale industrial or manufacturing groups. The ideal candidate possesses a proven track record of leadership at the group or divisional CEO level, managing complex, multi-site operations with thousands of employees. They are a hands-on, execution-oriented leader with international exposure and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, multicultural environment.

This senior executive will serve as a pivotal leader, entrusted with translating the group's long-term strategic vision into tangible operational reality across its diverse portfolio. The core mandate is to drive comprehensive operational excellence, instil organizational discipline, and catalyse sustainable, profitable growth. This involves overseeing the seamless day-to-day performance of all business units while simultaneously executing a forward-looking agenda focused on market expansion, digital transformation, and strategic diversification into new regions.

Operational execution forms the bedrock of the role. The leader will be responsible for modernizing operations through the implementation of integrated ERP systems, robust KPI dashboards, and lean manufacturing principles to optimize costs, improve yields, and enhance productivity. Beyond processes, a critical aspect of the position is building and mentoring a high-performing leadership team and embedding a culture of accountability, empowerment, and continuous improvement throughout the organization, strengthening the talent pipeline for the future.

Ultimately, success in this role will be measured by a clear set of financial and operational metrics. Key performance indicators include achieving group revenue and EBITDA targets, realizing significant operational efficiencies, and successfully leading large-scale capacity expansions and plant upgrades. Furthermore, the leader will be accountable for strengthening the group's international presence by driving export growth and solidifying its position as a leader in sustainability and circular economy initiatives.

Education: Degree in Engineering/Business/Operations Management (MBA preferred).

Traits: Execution-driven, disciplined, hands-on, and able to blend entrepreneurial agility with corporate systems.

 Package & Benefits

Competitive C-suite compensation package (salary + performance bonus).

Expat benefits: housing, car etc.

Opportunity to lead one of Africa’s most impactful manufacturing groups.

High visibility role with a direct path to Group CEO succession planning.