COO Textiles

Job Description:

The company is a leading textile mill a limited firm and one of the largest manufacturing companies in East Africa. The company is a leading manufacturer in the woven sacks industry, specializing in the production of cement and raffia bags. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to head our woven polypropylene cement and raffia bags division.

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, and agricultural bags). 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 the division 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 with woven polypropylene cement bags and raffia bags.
• 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 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 organizational objectives.
• Develop and implement actionable strategies to help the team meet their targets.
• Set key performance indicators to measure success.
• Regularly review performance metrics and 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:
• Adhere strictly to timely deadlines and be strong enough to take effective decisions in day-to-day operations for improving organizational efficiency.
• Submit reports and analyses in a timely manner.
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:

• Graduate/post-graduate in Engineering or related field. Additional certification in Business Management/Administration, Production, and Operations Management will be an advantage.
• 5+ years of experience in the woven sacks industry.
• Proven track record in managing a plant with multiple verticals.
• Technical background with expertise in overseeing production processes and optimizing efficiency.
• Familiarity with top-quality European machinery and advanced technology used in the industry.
• Experience in working in Africa, particularly in the manufacturing sector, is advantageous.
• Strong technical expertise in woven polypropylene cement bags and raffia bags sector production processes, materials, and quality control standards.
• Involvement in training and development of the core team 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, with a demonstrated capacity to motivate and inspire teams to achieve common organizational goals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed decisions based on data and market insights.
• Proficient in budgeting, financial analysis, and cost management.
• Up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, innovations, and regulatory requirements.
• Fluency in Swahili would be highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to drive technical innovation, increase efficiency, and minimize expenses.