The company

Our client has a product portfolio with many different products like, vegetables, fruits, salads and nuts to flowers, houseplants and wine. They control the total supply chain for two large supermarket chains in the UK. They help eliminate need for specific buyers. Our client produces and sells all products in order to have complete control over the supply chain. Sourcing from all over the world, having good relationships with growers and suppliers. Working closely with the farmers ensures freshness and quality of the products for the best prices.

Their business is based in the UK where they have different sites and distribution centres. Within Africa the focus in mainly on East Africa where most flower and vegetable industry takes place. As Ghana is seen as the hub for West Africa they have started looking for a Country Manager to maintain current business and help set up the new hub from scratch.

The Country Representative reports to the Regional Manager – Sub-Saharan Africa and has no direct reports. 

Purpose of the role

1. To ensure that all of the customer requirements for Food Safety, Legality and Quality are exceeded by all suppliers in West Africa.
2. To support and promote the companies sustainability program in West Africa.

Tasks

• Ensures that robust procedures are in place throughout the supply base to ensure that the companies Technical Standards are met.
• To manage the companies and customers projects (e.g. Cashews) on the ground relating to supply chain development or sustainability.
• To develop direct supply chains with smallholders
• To ensure that the companies Technical Standards and Processes are consistent with the rest of the Country Offices.
• To develop all Fresh Produce suppliers towards Good Agricultural Practice compliance (e.g. GlobalGAP Certification)
• To support the customers Compliance Program in the region especially in local regulatory compliance
• To develop partnerships with industry stakeholders in the region.
• To identify opportunities with new products or processes to improve the offer to the Customer.
• To ensure that all suppliers in the region are meeting the customers standards for Responsible Sourcing and Supply Chain Security.
• To support problem solving in other areas such as Packaging and Logistics
• To ensure that all Suppliers’ technical performance is captured on a scorecard, that is reviewed at least annually.
• Contributes to the design and delivery of the Country Office Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Profile

We are looking for a candidate with a strong presence and who is an influencer with excellent communication skills verbally as well as in reporting and who is a problem solver. The right candidate has to be entrepreneurial and very ambitious. He / she is a self starter looking for continuous improvement as the hub has to be set up from scratch.

The candidate needs to be experienced in Rout cause analyses, IT systems and needs knowledge of Good Agricultural Practice. He / she is a Certified Lead Assessor and has great presentations skills.

This is an individual job though you have to be able to work together with many partners like the client, intercompany in UK and East Africa and with suppliers, being commercial companies, NGO’s and local authorities. You are the link between the grower and the customer.

People Performance

• An effective team player with strong leadership skills which generate and sustain effective working relationships with a diverse range of people acting as an enabler supportive of key projects.
• First class communication skills written and oral, with a natural ability to present ideas articulately, to a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Operates with the highest levels of integrity.
• Must be able to work on their own initiative remaining focused on priorities and delivering targets whilst continually seeking ways to improve performance and reduce costs.
• Proven ability to negotiate, influence and drive decisions at Senior Management level.
• Supports team members and coaches them on technical issues.

Drive

• A self-starter with a high level of motivation.
• Excellent data analysis skills able to demonstrate and present data in a variety of formats for internal and external customers.
• Proven ability to manage and organise own work load, experience of managing multiple projects through to delivery.
• An advocate of delivering outstanding customer service to both internal and external stakeholders, recognises the need to tailor communication skills to suit the audience.
• Comfortable with ambiguity with a proven ability to manage change throughout the business.
• Strong capability to motivate suppliers, colleagues, teams and business units.
• Demonstrable experience of managing projects and teams during peak periods.

Requirements

• Graduate/HNC in Food Technology, Agriculture /Agr Best Practise, Life Sciences or Chem /Eng Science.
• Minimum 3 years post qualification experience working in a UK, European or US Retail supply chain.
• Significant experience of working within the West African Supply industry, competent at leading Projects

     at Senior level within this area.

• Certified Lead Assessor ISO / BRC Food Safety
• Food Safety & Hygiene trained
• Good IT Competency
• Valid Driving License
• Strong Problem Solving and Risk Assessment Skills

The Offer

• Salary of GBP30.000 – GBP40.000 gross, depending on background and experience
• Company vehicle
• Insurance, pension and housing to be arranged by candidate

Are you interested in this vacancy and want to apply? Please upload your profile through the button "I'm interested". Motivations included are much appreciated.