Job Purpose:

The role will lead and coordinate the continuous improvement agenda to achieve cost of goods sold (COGS) benefits. It will focus on fostering a process improvement culture by developing programs, enhancing capabilities, and establishing a pipeline of initiatives to promote productivity over the planning horizon. The position will also oversee a transformational program while collaborating closely with Production, Planning, Logistics, and Quality to achieve agreed-upon total cost savings per annum.

This highly visible role offers significant exposure to senior leadership on a regular basis. The manager must showcase strong leadership skills and a commitment to delivering continuous improvement through team efforts.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Partner with key functions to develop and deploy productivity strategies that will drive COGS benefits.
• Build, execute, and sustain a multi-year productivity pipeline to drive annual savings.
• Deliver value to the business, typically measured in quantifiable savings or OEE improvement.
• Establish and maintain processes and systems for the communication, sharing, and best practice replication of process improvement initiatives across functions, supported by optimal digital presence and SAP4HANA capability.
• Develop recommendations and drive approved plans to activate continuous improvement capabilities.
• Utilize best practice continuous improvement methodologies to drive effective training and development of these capabilities, ensuring a sustainable continuous improvement culture.
• Develop relationships to successfully drive change, establishing credibility and respect among colleagues at all levels.
• Develop people by working with all levels, from the shop floor to management, to increase maturity and understanding of a sustainable lean culture.
• Identify and quantify improvement opportunities, deliver savings through improved processes, and independently lead projects.
• Train subordinates to ensure business continuity.
• Ensure engineering and technical services on projects and activities for the plant are scheduled and completed, and machines are maintained properly.
• Build effective working relationships with identified partners in alignment with business guiding principles, safeguarding the interests of the Group.
• Ensure compliance with relevant management systems certifications and timely, accurate recording of transactions in approved ERP, including related report submissions.
• Establish a continuous improvement dashboard for effective reporting and monitoring of efficiency projects.
• Establish and execute productivity governance reporting and review processes with key functions.
• Contribute to the establishment of vendor requirements and performance metrics to meet continuous improvement or efficiency standards.
• Supervise shift operations as required.

Health Safety, Security and Environment

• Enforce strict adherence to work permit procedures for all non-routine LOBP operations. To ensure that the work permit process is followed for all non-routine works at the LOBP.
• Enforce strict HSSE standards among all LOBP contractors, including mandatory use of appropriate PPE, tools, and equipment.

Procurement, Contract Management and Asset Management

• Manage the procurement process, from sourcing to payment, ensuring C&P policy compliance.
• Maintain an up-to-date asset register.
• Oversee the contract lifecycle, including drafting, reviewing, signing, and monitoring contract performance to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

Project Management

• Collaborate with departments to implement projects.
• Post Implementation Review for major projects done.
• Lead equipment modernization initiatives to meet evolving business needs.

Performance Management and Development

• Conduct internal audits and drive corrective actions.
• Support continuous learning and development.

Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and resolve equipment breakdowns efficiently.
• Identify root causes of equipment failures and implement corrective actions.

Design and Development

• Design equipment modifications or upgrades to improve performance and reliability.
• Develop BOQs based on drawing concepts to sourcing end user needs.
• Design sketch or AutoCAD drawing development and interpretation.

Key Challenges:

• Delivery of incremental productivity savings through detailed project analysis in an increasingly lean operation.
• Building a sustainable continuous improvement culture within a dynamic changing workforce.
• Delivery across multi-functional teams and matrix organization.
• Change management.
• Prioritization of projects and balancing with continuous business needs. Adapting swiftly to evolving engineering advancements.
• Juggling multiple projects and tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Guaranteeing the accuracy and reliability of automated systems and processes.
• Staying current with the latest advancements in PLC programming and industrial automation.
• Conveying technical information clearly to non-technical team members.
• Responding to the dynamic needs and priorities of plant operations.

Requirements

Job Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Higher National Diploma in Technical qualifications either Mechanical or Electrical as minimum requirements, with preference on university degree in Engineering qualifications.
• Professional certification in projects management, continuous improvement models include Kaizen for incremental change, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing PDCA, DMAIC, 5S and Poka-yoke, will be an added advantage.
• Minimum 7 years relevant working experience including evidence of project and contractors’ management.
• Value Chain Management or Business improvement skill set including at least 4 years exposure and involvement in continuous improvement projects.
• Proficiency in MS Office packages and working knowledge of SAP ERP.
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills. Proficiency in Kiswahili is an added advantage