Company Overview:

Pharo Ventures is the commercial, for-profit arm of The Pharo Foundation and has been set up to harness the power of a vibrant private sector by investing in enterprises across a variety of spheres within East Africa. The objective is to build and grow commercially and environmentally sustainable businesses. The focus is maximizing the creation of economic value and jobs for local communities.

We have a vision of an economically vibrant and inclusive Africa. We believe we can achieve our vision and ambitions by investing in the human and physical capital of Africa. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Pharo Ventures has country offices in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) and Somaliland (Hargeisa). 

Position Summary 

Plant Manager will provide strategic and operational oversight for the processing plant. S/he will be accountable for upholding the highest standards aligned to safety, quality, operational effectiveness and financial performance.

The plant is currently being set up; the Manager will play a key role in completing the setup of the plant by working closely with the various project consultants.

Once the plant is set up, the Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility from production to ensuring policies and procedures are followed. The position holder will be responsible to maximize stewardship, safety, quality and productivity. S/he will be responsible for demonstrating leadership that reflects Pharo Ventures culture and values.

Reporting to: Operations Director

Functional Relationships: 

•  Pharo Ventures core team in Ethiopia

• Operations, Finance, Market and Human Resources Manager of Pharo Ventures in Ethiopia

• Pharo Ventures team in Nairobi

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Set-up phase 

The manger will be directly involved in all aspects of the plant set up, including but not limited to:

• Follow-ups with Machinery manufacturers and ensuring the production process is aligned with the design and timeline agreed. Join visit to manufacturers with the project consultants to monitor progress.

• Follow-ups and supervision of civil contractors and ensuring work is progressing as per the agreed design and timeline.

• Staffing need and recruitment plan – work with HR department to finalize staffing and recruitment plan as per the schedule.

• Local government relations – ensuring all documentation related with construction is approved by the relevant authorities.

• Follow-up and work closely with Ethiopian Electric Power Authority and related parties to get connectivity for the plant.

• Work closely with the Supply Chain Manger and transistors to facilitate ease of custom clearance and shipment of construction materials, machineries and other plant related imports. 

• Support the Standards Operating Procedures (SoPs) development process and certification process with the relevant authorities to operationalize the factory. 

Strategic and Operations Management  

• Responsible for strategy execution, management and compliance of capital and operating budgets

• Lead and ensure all production and operating facilities operate efficiently, effectively, safely and in compliance with regulatory and corporate safety and environmental programs standards and goals.

• Responsible for the optimal functioning of the production process to ensure meeting the quantitative and qualitative objectives e.g. cost, quality and volume targets are achieved.

• Champion a culture that builds, operates and maintains plants that are operationally sound, safe and efficient.

• Initiate efficiency and improvement projects and implement the continuous improvement programs.

• Ensuring that production is carried out in accordance with the set quality and safety standards. (HACCP, FSSC2200)

• Develop plans and deliver results in a fast-changing business or regulatory environment while leading and developing a team of experienced professionals and supervisors.

• Coaching and making decisions related to talent management hiring, performance and disciplinary actions.

• Oversee the execution of quality products.

• Develop and maintain relationships with buyers and potential buyers both in the local and export markets.

• lead new product development initiatives.

People Managment 

• Collaborate with line managers in the development of staffing and recruitment plans, ensuring that each team is staffed appropriately according to the need and budget, and in an efficient, orderly and timely manner.

• Responsible for ongoing selecting, hiring, motivating, coaching, training employees using all applicable policies and procedures

• Collaborate with managers and supervisors to ensure staff selections align with current and future growth needs.

Learning and Development    

• Identify the training needs of employees and ensure processes are in place to support and encourage the appropriate personal and professional development of staff within the context of the Pharo Ventures objectives.

• Collaborate with line managers in establishing the skill gaps within the relevant departments and facilitate training needs analysis and execution of mitigation initiatives.

• Oversee the delivery of training programs with other colleagues across the organization.  

Job Requirements

Qualification Requirement 

• Master’s degree in food science/technology, chemical engineering, biotechnology with additional training in business administration

• A minimum of eight (8) years professional experience; of which (6) of these must have been as a processing plant manager

• Experience in working with food processing plants

• Experience in edible oil processing plant  

• Deep understanding of Ethiopian regulations and international standards in food processing. 

• Prior experience in working with multinational organizations

• Excellent communication in written and spoken English

Behavioral Competencies  

• Strong professional with charismatic personality and a solid pedigree and experience in setting up and running a food processing facility

• Superb management skills with ability to manage and motivate a wide variety of employees from diverse backgrounds in a professional and compelling manner.

• Respects the local culture, understands and embraces the local values yet can work within international work ethics and standards.

• Problem solving and creative thinking skills with the ability to get results in unstructured environments, solid record of accomplishment for growing businesses and implementing processes, policies and best practices.

• Self-assured, internally motivated and passionate individual with outstanding communication skills, driven to succeed and make a difference.

• Must possess high levels of integrity, resilience, accountability, commitment and determination.

• Good understanding of data metrics and the ability to present these to the senior management and play a key role in supporting decision-making.

How to Apply

Submit your detailed cover letter and CV (preferably as a single PDF file) via email: recruitment.pv@pharoventures.com

Review of applications will be on a rolling basis. In the event that we identify an outstanding applicant early in the search process, we reserve the right to appoint before the deadline. For this reason, we encourage interested candidates to apply at the earliest possible time. Due to the high volume of applications expected, we regret that we will only be able to contact short-listed candidate.