TKBD Medical Supplies - General Manager - Production

- TKBD Medical Supplies, an Ethiopian healthcare manufacturing company, is in the process of establishing a meltblown fabric manufacturing plant in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to produce meltblown material to complement its existing mask conversion lines; the meltblown material is the primary input for surgical face masks, respirator masks, gowns, and other PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). TKBD is seeking an experienced General Manager to oversee the production and delivery of masks and medical-grade meltblown material from its facility in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

- TKBD Medical Supplies is led by Captain Elias Ketema and Tseday Asrat - a husband and wife team of experienced business leaders. Together they have several decades of experience operating businesses in Ethiopia in the retail space (Kaldi's Coffee Chain - largest coffee chain in Ethiopia with nearly 40 locations, 3 highly-rated Italian restaurants) and an agribusiness (award winning Loni Agro Processing). Captain Ketema is also a pilot and flight instructor at Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's most successful airline, for 31 years; Ms. Asrat is the Managing Director of each of the mentioned businesses.

- TKBD Medical Supplies is looking for an experienced industrial manager from the textiles and garment or the plastics extrusion industries to serve as General Manager for their production facilities. The General Manager will oversee the day-to-day responsibility of production and order delivery of all sales of the business, including the mask conversion and meltblown material lines. The mask conversion line is in place already and the meltblown line will be in operation by mid-2021. The General Manager will play a key role in advising the Board and senior executive leadership of TKBD, as well as the equipment manufacturers and service providers, on the equipment selection and set-up, pre-installation, installation and commissioning, and early operations phases of the meltblown business.

Role Summary:

- The General Manager will oversee the day-to-day responsibility of production and order delivery of all sales of the business, including the mask conversion and meltblown material lines.

Qualifications :

- Over 10 years of experience running the industrial floor operations of a textile and garment fabric production line required

- At least 5 years in industrial senior leadership roles required, e.g., General Manager, Production Manager

- At least 5 years of experience on meltblown, any other nonwoven/hygiene production, plastics extrusion operations recommended

- At least 5 years of experience running operations in emerging markets recommended (e.g., Africa, India), with experience working on/with projects in Ethiopia

- Considerable experience of setting up and ensuring regulatory compliance of an industrials business in emerging markets

- Strong ability to communicate in written and oral English

- Ability to move to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

- Ability to speak, read, and write Amharic is advantageous (inability is not disqualifying)

Responsibilities:

Strategy:

- Review corporate objectives and guidance on how to meet (or adjust) objectives based on operations

- Review and evaluate present and future opportunities, threats and risks in the external environment and current and future strengths, weaknesses, and risks to the Company, based on industry knowledge

 Market presence/partnerships:

- Make introductions to relevant networks and contacts that will assist the Companys sales activities, e.g., potential buyers abroad

- Assist CEO and Sales team on sales opportunities as required

Feasibility/ planning:

- Advise on equipment vendor and equipment specifications

- Advise on factory layout and installation of equipment

- Advise on permitting process (in conjunction with TKBD team and local experts)

- Review business plan to ensure alignment with equipment specifications and operational expectations

 Implementation / operations:

 - Provide recommendations and references on polypropylene procurement

- Achieve operations performance targets, in terms of volumes and quality

- Recruit, manage, and retain junior operations staff (30-40 people); assist in troubleshooting and problem resolution

 - Provide advice on recruiting and developing senior TKDB leadership, interview candidates at Board request

- Attend at Board meetings at Board's invitation

 Finance:

 - Assisting the Board and Finance Director in Risk Management: identifying, quantifying, and mitigating operational and people risks

- Assist in answering technical questions for finance, joint venture, government/ regulator, development sector, and other partners in feasibility, due diligence, and compliance conversations

 Compliance:

- Direct and have oversight of regulatory and safety compliance efforts in plant environment

- Promote and emulate the highest standards of corporate and clinical governance in compliance with Country's Code of Governance and other regulatory requirements and best practice, where appropriate

- Ensure that quality controls and systems of risk management are robust and implemented

Timing and location requirements:

- Timing: full time role starting in Q1 2021 in Addis Ababa

- For installation of equipment: 4-6 weeks on the ground in Addis Ababa during the installation and commissioning process (targeting March / April 2021, depending on installation schedule)

Compensation:

- Will be competitive with similar roles withing Sub-Saharan Africa, and include standard allowances (e.g., housing, car)

- May include equity awards at Board of Directors discretion