Head of Operations

Head of Operations

Summit Recruitment & Search Africa

Our client, a reputable food manufacturing company, is seeking an experienced Head of Operations to lead operations at their factory in Tigoni.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership across the full operational value chain, from raw material sourcing and processing through to quality, maintenance, stores, dispatch and delivery to customers across East Africa.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Operations will translate the company’s overall strategy into a robust operational plan that ensures the right products are delivered at the required quality, on time and at the optimal cost. The role will focus on building the operational capability, systems and culture required to support profitable and sustainable growth. Leading through a team of functional heads, the successful candidate will set the overall operations agenda, drive performance and continuous improvement, strengthen efficiencies and ensure consistently high standards across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a 3–5 year operations strategy, covering capacity, investment and capability for growth

• Lead the planning process that turns sales forecasts into production, purchasing and stock plans, working with Sales and Finance

• Improve efficiency, yield, milk conversion and waste through Lean and Kaizen

• Lead purchasing of milk, ingredients and packaging, and build strong relationships with farmers and suppliers

• Own food safety and quality, keeping us certified to ISO 22000 and HACCP and compliant with KEBS and the Kenya Dairy Board

• Run a planned maintenance programme and manage utilities: boilers, refrigeration, water and power

• Deliver on time and in full (OTIF) to customers, distributors and our own stores

• Lead a zero-harm safety culture and compliance with OSHA and NEMA

• Deliver cost of goods, gross margin and operations budget targets

• Build, coach and develop a strong leadership team, with succession for key roles

• Key Qualifications

• A degree in Food Science or Technology, Dairy Technology, Engineering, Supply Chain or a related field. An MBA or postgraduate qualification is an advantage

• At least 10 years in operations, manufacturing or supply chain, including 5 or more years in senior management leading several functions

• Food manufacturing experience, ideally in dairy or FMCG

• Strong leadership skills

• A record of measurable gains in cost, efficiency, quality and service

• Strong knowledge of Lean or Six Sigma, HACCP, and ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000

• Experience with budgets, investment business cases and ERP systems; strong Excel skills

• A strategic, data-driven leader with high integrity, who builds trust with teams, suppliers and customers

• Summit Recruitment and Search Africa is a leading Recruitment and Executive Search agency headquartered in Kenya providing outstanding talent to a wide range of companies and NGOs in various business sectors across Africa.

• We endeavour to make contact with all of our applicants, but unfortunately, high volumes of applications make this unrealistic. If you do not hear from us within two weeks your application has not been successful on this occasion. This does not mean you will not be considered for future roles so please keep an eye on our job board and apply for positions that match your skills and experience.

• Summit Recruitment and search Africa upholds a steadfast commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and equality as integral pillars of our operations. Dedicated to driving positive change through the adoption of sustainable practices that minimize our ecological footprint. We firmly believe in fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce that embraces individuals from all races, genders, and backgrounds, ensuring equal opportunities for every candidate. Summit recruitment actively advocate for equality by cultivating an environment of respect, fairness, and non-discrimination. By prioritizing sustainability, inclusivity, and equality, we aim to set a high industry standard and contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.

• Summit Recruitment & Search, as a policy, does not charge any fee as a pre-employment or post-employment requirement