General Manager - Plastic Manufacturing

Description:

There is one good job opportunity for General Manager with our Plastics Manufacturing client based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Position: General Manager

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (Oversight: Nairobi & Mombasa Plants).

Industry: Plastic Manufacturing Industrial Products

Reporting To: Board

ROLE OVERVIEW

Our client is seeking a seasoned General Manager to lead its Kenya operations, encompassing manufacturing facilities in both Nairobi and Mombasa. This is a senior leadership mandate with full P&L ownership, reporting directly to the Board of Directors and Managing Director.

The GM will drive commercial growth, operational efficiency, and organizational performance across all functions including Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Business Development, and HR. The ideal candidate brings a strong manufacturing background, proven multi-site leadership, and the ability to work effectively within an expat-led, entrepreneurial environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business & Financial Leadership

- Assume full P&L ownership and drive profitability across both manufacturing facilities.

- Lead annual budgeting, financial forecasting, and long-term strategic planning.

- Identify and execute EBITDA improvement initiatives through cost discipline and revenue growth.

- Track and report financial performance to the Board with transparency and accountability.

Manufacturing & Operations

- Oversee day-to-day operations at Nairobi and Mombasa plants, ensuring output quality and efficiency.

- Implement lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste and improve process performance.

- Ensure full compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards across both sites.

- Drive capex planning and infrastructure investments in line with growth objectives.

Sales & Business Development

- Lead and mentor the Sales Head and two Business Development Managers to achieve revenue targets.

- Develop and execute strategies to expand market share across industrial and commercial segments.

- Build and strengthen relationships with key clients, distributors, and institutional buyers.

- Identify new business opportunities, products, and markets to drive top-line growth.

Supply Chain & Procurement

- Manage end-to-end supply chain including procurement, logistics, and inventory management.

- Optimize supplier relationships and raw material sourcing to ensure cost efficiency.

- Ensure continuity of supply and minimize production disruptions across both facilities.

Leadership & People Management

- Lead and align an expat leadership team spanning Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, and Plant functions.

- Partner with the local HR Manager to build a high-performance culture and develop local talent.

- Establish robust performance management frameworks, KPIs, and accountability structures.

- Build a leadership pipeline to support succession planning and organizational resilience.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Finance - Finance Head Expat

Operations - Operations Head Expat

Manufacturing Plant Heads (2) Expat

Supply Chain - Supply Chain Head Expat

Sales - Sales Head Expat

Business Development - Business Development Managers (2) Expat

HR - HR Manager Local

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

- Revenue growth and overall profitability (EBITDA)

- Operational efficiency and plant utilization rates

- Cost optimization and working capital management

- Customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction

- Team performance, engagement, and leadership development

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

- 15 - 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, with plastics or packaging strongly preferred.

- Demonstrated P&L ownership and multi-plant management experience.

- MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.

- Prior exposure to African markets, particularly East Africa, is a significant advantage.

- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to lead both sales and operations teams.

- Proven ability to lead diverse, cross-functional expat teams in a results-oriented environment.

- Excellent stakeholder management skills comfortable reporting directly to a Board or Promoter group.