Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Industries

Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Department: Industries Division
Position Type: Full-Time
Band: 9
Reporting To: GCEO Industries

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Industries to lead end-to-end manufacturing and operational activities across the Industries Division.

The COO will be responsible for multi-plant operations, operational efficiency, supply chain execution, cost optimization, quality, safety, project execution, and strategic operational initiatives across multiple countries.

The role will translate business strategy into strong operational execution while driving productivity, standardization, continuous improvement, and a high-performance culture across all manufacturing plants and industrial units.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manufacturing & Plant Operations

• Oversee end-to-end operations across multiple manufacturing plants.
• Ensure production targets, productivity, quality, and capacity utilization are achieved.
• Monitor plant performance and implement corrective actions.
• Improve OEE, production efficiency, and equipment utilization.
• Reduce downtime, wastage, and operational losses.

2. Operational Excellence

• Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Drive productivity improvement and cost-reduction programs.
• Standardize SOPs, processes, and operating systems across plants.
• Establish operational best practices and performance benchmarks.

3. Supply Chain, Procurement & Logistics

• Oversee procurement, supply chain, warehousing, logistics, and distribution.
• Ensure uninterrupted availability of raw materials and critical supplies.
• Optimize inventory levels and working capital.
• Improve supply chain efficiency, planning, and service levels.

4. Projects & Expansion

• Lead Greenfield and Brownfield projects from planning through commissioning.
• Drive plant setup, commissioning, and operational readiness.
• Coordinate with engineering, project, procurement, and technical teams.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within approved budgets.
• Support expansion into new plants, products, and manufacturing capabilities.

5. Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to quality standards, certifications, and customer requirements.
• Establish a strong zero-accident and safety culture.
• Ensure compliance with local statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Drive quality improvement and reduction of customer/product complaints.

6. Financial & Cost Management

• Manage manufacturing budgets and operational expenditure.
• Monitor cost per unit, productivity ratios, wastage, and operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization.
• Work closely with the GCEO to achieve division-level profitability targets.

7. People & Performance Management

• Lead Plant Heads, Factory Managers, and senior operations teams.
• Establish clear operational KPIs and performance management systems.
• Build a strong second-line leadership team across plants.
• Drive succession planning, talent development, and leadership capability.
• Create a culture of accountability, ownership, and operational discipline.

8. Reporting & Governance

• Provide regular operational updates and performance reports to the GCEO.
• Lead monthly operations and performance review meetings.
• Establish operational dashboards and management reporting systems.
• Ensure governance, process discipline, and timely corrective actions across plants.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KRAs)

• Plant Operational Efficiency: OEE, utilization, output, productivity
• Manufacturing Cost: Cost per unit and operational cost optimization
• Quality & Safety: Product quality, compliance, and safety performance
• Supply Chain: Inventory control, procurement efficiency, and supply continuity
• Project Execution: Greenfield/Brownfield projects delivered on time and within budget
• People & Leadership: Team performance, capability building, and succession planning
• Operational Excellence: Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, automation, and continuous improvement
• Profitability: Contribution to overall Industries Division profitability

KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Technical Skills

• Manufacturing & Industrial Operations
• Multi-Plant Operations Management
• Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma / TPM
• Supply Chain & Procurement
• ERP / MIS / Digital Manufacturing Systems
• Greenfield & Brownfield Project Management
• Plant Commissioning & Operational Readiness
• Budgeting & Cost Control
• Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

Leadership Competencies

• Strong Execution & Operational Discipline
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Leadership & Team Building
• Cross-Cultural Management
• Crisis & Risk Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Change Management

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, or related discipline.
• MBA / Operations Management qualification will be an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, industrial engineering, and operational excellence methodologies.

EXPERIENCE

• 20–25 years of overall experience in manufacturing/industrial operations.

• 10–15 years of experience in senior operations leadership roles.

• Proven experience managing multi-plant / multi-location manufacturing operations.

• Strong experience in plant productivity, cost optimization, supply chain, maintenance, quality, and operational excellence.

• Experience in Greenfield and Brownfield projects, plant setup, commissioning, and expansion.

• Africa experience preferred.

• Experience in one or more of the following industries will be preferred:

• Food Processing

• Plastics

• Construction Materials

• Paints & Coatings

• Chemicals

• FMCG Manufacturing

• Home Appliances

• Other Process / Manufacturing Industries