Operations Manager

Job Title: Operations Manager Manufacturing Division

Location: Nairobi Area, Kenya

Experience Required: 8–12 Years

Employment Type: Full-Time

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and decisive Operations Manager to take full commercial and operational ownership of our manufacturing division. This leadership role bridges the gap between the factory floor and the market, managing everything from production and inventory to dispatch, local sales, and staff relations. A critical mandate for this position is standardizing our processes by spearheading the implementation of ISO 9001 and rigorously enforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all departments to drive systemic efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• ISO 9001 Implementation & QMS: Lead the facility through the implementation, certification, and continuous maintenance of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems. Conduct regular internal audits and address non-conformances.
• SOP Development & Enforcement: Draft, review, and strictly enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across production, warehouse, sales, and dispatch departments. Ensure every team member is trained on and adheres to these standardized workflows.
• Division Leadership & Sales Coordination: Drive the overall operational and commercial success of the manufacturing division. Align production schedules with market demand, support local sales initiatives, and ensure seamless coordination between manufacturing and commercial teams to meet revenue targets.
• Production & Manufacturing: Direct daily plant operations to achieve strict quality and output goals. Optimize machine utilization, improve yield, and enforce preventative maintenance routines to eliminate operational bottlenecks.
• Daily Reporting & KPI Tracking: Compile and present accurate daily shift reports covering production yields, scrap rates, machine downtime, and dispatch volumes to executive management.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Chair daily morning huddles and shift-handover meetings with department heads to align on immediate daily targets and resolve floor-level bottlenecks.
• Systems Hygiene & ERP Adherence: Ensure all shop-floor activities, from raw material consumption to finished goods dispatch, are logged accurately and in real-time within the ERP system (e.g., SAP) to maintain absolute data integrity.
• Facility & Security Management: Oversee general site housekeeping (5S execution), facility maintenance, and manage third-party security teams to control site access and safeguard company assets.
• Local Procurement & Vendor Relations: Authorize and monitor the local purchasing of factory consumables, packaging, and spare parts, while managing relationships with local service providers and transporters.
• Dispatch & Logistics: Manage the complete order fulfillment cycle. Oversee fleet coordination, loading operations, and outbound logistics to guarantee accurate and on-time dispatch to clients.
• Staff Liaison & Workforce Management: Serve as the primary leader and point of contact for all site staff. Manage daily workforce relations, coordinate shift schedules, handle grievances, and foster a cohesive, high-performance culture across all departments.
• Inventory & Warehouse Control: Oversee raw material receipt, finished goods storage, and general stock control. Enforce rigorous inventory audits to eliminate variance, wastage, and shrinkage.
• Government Relations & Compliance: Act as the company’s representative for the manufacturing division when liaising with local authorities (County Government, NEMA, DOSHS, labor offices). Conduct daily floor walks to enforce PPE compliance and ensure the facility operates 100% within statutory regulations.
• Cost Control & Continuous Improvement: Monitor the division's daily administration and operational expenditures (OPEX). Implement Lean manufacturing principles and Kaizen initiatives to continuously reduce waste and improve energy and material efficiency.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or Supply Chain. An MBA is highly advantageous.
• Experience: Minimum 8 years of operational leadership experience, managing a multifaceted facility that integrates manufacturing, dispatch, and commercial operations.
• ISO Expertise: Proven track record of implementing or managing ISO 9001 (or similar Quality Management Systems) within a manufacturing environment.
• Core Skills: Strong process documentation skills, commercial acumen, and proficiency in ERP software (such as SAP) for tracking inventory, production, and sales.
• Attributes: Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills. Capable of bridging the gap between shop-floor workers, external stakeholders, and executive management while making rapid, data-driven decisions.