Deputy General Manager

1. Strategic Leadership & Business Management:

• Assist the General Manager in developing and executing the company's strategic plans and business objectives.
• Drive organizational growth, profitability, operational excellence, and market expansion initiatives.
• Develop annual business plans, operational budgets, and performance targets.
• Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions where required.
• Lead continuous improvement and transformation programs.
• Identify opportunities for diversification, capacity expansion, and value-added product development.

2. Manufacturing & Operations Management

• Oversee all production activities for CPO and sunflower oil refining, including neutralization, bleaching, deodorization, and fractionation processes.

• Manage Palm Olein and Palm Stearin production, including bulk oil storage, handling, and dispatch

  operations.

• Oversee bottling, packaging, utility systems, and other production support services to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

3. Food Safety & Quality Management

• Ensure full implementation and continuous enhancement of ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 management systems.
• Lead food safety culture initiatives throughout the organization
• Ensure HACCP plans are effectively maintained and implemented.

4. Supply Chain & Procurement Management

• Develop strategic sourcing plans for CPO, sunflower seeds, crude sunflower oil, chemicals, packaging materials, and spare parts, ensuring uninterrupted raw material availability.
• Manage supplier contracts, qualification, performance, and procurement costs to optimize sourcing efficiency.
• Monitor inventory levels, working capital requirements, and import/export logistics, including customs clearance.
• Develop and implement contingency plans to mitigate supply chain disruptions and ensure business continuity.

5. Maintenance, Engineering & Utilities Management

• Oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.

• Ensure reliability and availability of refinery equipment, fractionation plants, boilers, generators,

  compressors, chillers water treatment systems, packaging lines and bulk storage facilities.

• Lead engineering improvement projects.

• Develop plant asset management strategies.

• Implement energy efficiency and utility optimization projects.

• Manage capital expenditure projects and plant upgrades.

Desired Candidate Profile

1. Master's Degree in Engineering or Operations Management

2. Minimum 12-15 years of progressive manufacturing experience.

3. At least 7 years in senior leadership roles within edible oil, food processing, FMCG, or agribusiness

   industries.

4. Proven experience managing palm oil and/or sunflower oil refining operations.

5. Experience leading ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 certified facilities.

6. Demonstrated success in driving operational excellence and profitability.

7. Experience managing large multidisciplinary teams of 1000+ employees.

8. Experience in East African manufacturing environments is highly desirable.