Business Unit Manager - Specialty Foods

Key Responsibilities:

Business Unit Leadership:

• Lead the Specialty Foods division, including roasted cashew snacks and future product lines.
• Develop and execute strategies to achieve sales, profitability, and growth targets.
• Collaborate with the Food Production Officer and cross-functional teams to align operations with business goals.

Supervision of Food Production, Processing, and Packaging:

• Oversee food production and processing activities, ensuring compliance with quality standards and food safety regulations.
• Supervise packaging operations to maintain product consistency, branding, and shelf-life requirements.
• Coordinate with the Food Production Officer to ensure optimal use of resources and adherence to production schedules.
• Monitor and resolve production bottlenecks, ensuring timely delivery of finished goods.

Coordination with Processing Factories:

• Act as the key liaison with raw materials processing factories to align supply with demand.
• Oversee quality control measures at factories to ensure adherence to company and regulatory standards.
• Ensure factories are operating efficiently and maintaining high production standards.

Inventory and Logistics Management:

• Implement efficient inventory management systems to minimize waste, reduce stock outs, and optimize costs.
• Manage logistics for raw materials and finished products, ensuring on-time delivery to distributors, retailers, and export partners.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and provide forecasting to support production and sales planning.

Sales and Distribution:

• Build and manage sales pipelines for local and international markets, focusing on supermarkets, specialty stores, and online channels.
• Establish and expand distribution networks to increase market penetration.
• Monitor and analyze sales performance, adjusting strategies to meet revenue goals.

Marketing and Business Development:

• Collaborate with the marketing team to create impactful campaigns that drive brand visibility and consumer demand.
• Identify and secure partnerships with supermarkets, specialty stores, and international buyers.
• Develop and execute strategies for launching new products and expanding into new markets.

Customer Relationship Management:

• Foster strong relationships with B2B clients, distributors, and retail partners.
• Act as the primary point of contact for customer interactions and negotiations.
• Ensure customer satisfaction and handle escalations effectively.

Market Research and Strategic Planning:

• Conduct market research to identify trends, competition, and growth opportunities.
• Provide actionable insights for product innovation and strategic decision-making.

Team Leadership and Collaboration:

• Lead and manage cross-functional teams, ensuring collaboration between production, marketing, sales, and logistics.
• Mentor and develop team members to build internal capacity and expertise.
• Ensure alignment between production output and market demand.

Reporting and Accountability:

• Prepare and present regular reports on sales performance, inventory levels, production metrics, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure transparency in financial reporting and alignment with company ERP systems.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Food Technology, Supply Chain Management, Marketing, or a related field (MBA preferred).

Experience:

• 5–7 years in FMCG, food manufacturing, or specialty foods industries.
• Proven expertise in food production, processing, and packaging supervision.
• Strong background in sales, distribution, and supply chain management.

Skills:

• Excellent leadership, project management, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in inventory management, ERP systems, and CRM tools.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety, quality control, and packaging standards.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Production Metrics: Adherence to production schedules, quality standards, and minimal waste.
• Sales Revenue: Growth in sales and market share for specialty food products.
• Logistics Efficiency: On-time delivery rates and optimized costs.
• Customer Satisfaction: High B2B retention and satisfaction rates.
• New Market Entry: Successful establishment of distribution pipelines and partnerships.

Reporting Line:

• Reports directly to the Managing Director.

Compensation Package:

• Competitive salary (6000-8000 net)
• Sales Performance-based bonuses
• Health Insurance
• Annual Paid Leave
• Other benefits

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: Accra

Salary Range:  Attractive