Chief Operations Officer - Kenya

Lead and transform end-to-end operations in Kenya from Head Office to field execution, embedding strong cost discipline, operational controls, and accountability. Drive a measurable reduction in cost base and sustained productivity gains through hands-on leadership, rigorous performance management, and continuous improvement.

• Own end-to-end Kenya operations performance, ensuring consistent execution, service levels, and operational governance across all sites and routes/branches.
• Deliver a cost-reduction and productivity program: baseline the cost base, identify structural and quick-win savings, execute initiatives, and track benefits realization with clear ownership.
• Build an execution-led operating cadence daily/weekly/monthly: KPIs, visual management, problem-solving routines, and corrective action follow-through to improve reliability and accountability.
• Strengthen operational controls and compliance: SOPs, delegations, inventory/cash/asset controls, vendor controls, and audit-ready documentation; reduce leakage, waste, and operational risk.
• Re-design processes and organization for efficiency: simplify workflows, optimize staffing and rosters, improve throughput and cycle times, and standardize best practices across the network.
• Lead supply chain and logistics optimization: demand planning discipline, procurement governance, vendor performance management, fleet/route optimization, and inventory accuracy to reduce working capital and cost-to-serve.
• Drive performance of branch/field operations through direct site engagement, coaching, and rapid issue resolution; set clear targets and hold teams accountable for delivery.
• Partner with Finance to embed cost visibility and discipline: unit economics, budget ownership, variance reviews, capex prioritization, and ROI-based decision-making.
• Lead a turnaround/change agenda: challenge legacy ways of working, manage resistance, communicate clear expectations, and build a high-performance operations culture.
• Develop operational talent and succession: recruit/upgrade key roles where needed, set performance contracts, and build capability in Lean/CI, controls, and frontline leadership.
• Implement 'Performance Management the Alliad Way' by setting KPIs for direct reports when applicable, conduct regular reviews, identify training requirements and provide a coaching, mentoring and supportive role.
• Ensures adherence to quality standards and applicable regulatory requirements in Food Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, and Environment.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field required.
• MBA or Master's in Operations/Supply Chain/Management preferred.
• Relevant professional membership/certification in supply chain/operations e.g., CIPS, APICS/ASCM is an advantage.
• 12+ years of progressive operations leadership experience within multinational/international organizations, including multi-site/branch operations.
• Proven track record leading major cost reduction and productivity programs, with measurable results and sustained control discipline.
• Experience in turnaround, transformation, or scaling operations in a complex environment; demonstrated ability to lead HO-to-field execution.
• End-to-end operations leadership: service delivery, branch/site management, operational governance, and performance management systems.
• Strong cost management and unit economics: budgeting, cost-to-serve, productivity metrics, benefits realization, and variance management.
• Operational controls and risk management: SOPs, delegations, inventory/cash/asset controls, vendor governance, and audit readiness.
• Supply chain, logistics, and procurement optimization: planning, sourcing governance, vendor management, fleet/route optimization, and inventory accuracy.
• Continuous improvement toolset Lean/Kaizen/Six Sigma, structured problem solving A3/5-Why, and data-driven decision-making.