General Manager
Job Description
Our client, a growing food manufacturing company establishing a new biscuit and bakery production facility in Kitwe, Zambia, is seeking an experienced and strategic General Manager to lead the setup and long-term operations of the business. This is an exciting opportunity for a senior professional with strong leadership experience in the food manufacturing, biscuit production, or industrial bakery sector who is looking to take ownership of a new manufacturing operation in Southern Africa.
The General Manager will oversee the entire business operation, including manufacturing, supply chain, quality standards, staffing, and overall business performance. The individual will work closely with company stakeholders to implement operational strategies, ensure production targets are met, and establish the company as a competitive manufacturer in the regional bakery and biscuit market.
This role requires strong leadership capabilities, operational knowledge of food manufacturing processes, and the ability to manage multiple business functions including production, procurement, quality control, and workforce management.
The ideal candidate will have strong experience in food manufacturing leadership roles, particularly within the biscuit, bakery, snack food, or FMCG production industry. Candidates should have experience managing factory operations and leading teams within a manufacturing environment.
Applicants should demonstrate strong leadership, decision-making ability, and operational expertise in food production environments. Experience working in emerging markets or setting up manufacturing operations will be considered a strong advantage.
Candidates should also possess excellent organizational skills, strategic thinking ability, and the capacity to manage operational challenges in a growing manufacturing business.
Responsibilities Duties:
The successful candidate will play a critical role in establishing the factory, developing the operational structure, building a strong team, and ensuring the business operates efficiently and sustainably. The role requires a leader who is comfortable working in a developing market environment and who has the ability to build processes, systems, and teams from the ground up.
Key focus areas include
Leading the overall setup and operational management of the factory
Establishing production and operational strategies to support business growth
Managing cross-functional teams including production, quality, procurement, and administration
Ensuring operational efficiency, cost control, and productivity improvement
Developing supplier relationships for raw materials and packaging
Implementing food safety standards and quality management systems
Driving business performance and operational reporting to stakeholders