General Manager Sales & Operations

About the Role

Bloomex Agventures Ltd. is launching value-added agricultural products, starting with pure African Bird's Eye (ABE) chilli powder. We are searching for an entrepreneurial General Manager - Sales & Operations based in Nairobi, Kenya, to spearhead commercial growth and oversee daily operations. This role demands hands-on leadership to drive sales expansion, manage distribution channels, and establish a scalable, lucrative food business.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement the company's market entry and sales strategies.
• Forge strong partnerships with wholesalers, distributors, supermarkets, and institutional clients like hotels and restaurants.
• Directly engage in acquiring significant customers.
• Expand distributor and wholesale networks across Kenya.
• Set sales territories, define targets, and create performance monitoring systems.
• Hire, train, and manage sales teams as business scales.
• Analyze competitors' pricing, products, and promotions.
• Develop systems to foster recurring customer orders.
• Identify new product opportunities including chilli flakes and other value-added variants.
• Manage production, packaging, inventory control, and deliveries to ensure customer demand is met adequately.
• Introduce procedures for inventory and stock control management.
• Coordinate procurement for packaging and production materials.
• Minimize waste and control overall production expenses.
• Track profit margins by product and customer segment.
• Ensure control over customer credit and timely collection of payments.
• Prepare and present regular sales, operations, and management reports.
• Lead product launches and promotional activities.
• Organize product sampling, market activation, and digital marketing efforts, including social media campaigns.
• Collaborate with designers and packaging suppliers to maintain quality branding.
• Uphold strict food production hygiene and related compliance standards, including KEBS regulations.
• Maintain detailed product batch records and guarantee accurate labeling and packaging.
• Recruit and oversee sales, production, and distribution staff, fostering accountability, integrity, and outstanding customer service.
• Set clear individual and team performance indicators and conduct regular appraisals.

Candidate Profile

• A minimum of five years in commercial, sales, or operational roles.
• Relevant experience in FMCG, food processing, spices, agribusiness, or distribution is highly valued.
• Proven track record in sales growth and business development.
• Experience working with distributors, wholesalers, or retail chains.
• Sound knowledge of profit margins, cash flow management, and working capital.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate sales teams.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and reporting tools.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with initiative to build operational systems from scratch.

Performance and Rewards

The General Manager will be tasked with growing monthly sales to over 1,000 kg of profitable chilli powder within about six months, prioritizing sustainable and profitable sales with effective collections. The monthly salary ranges between KES 80,000 and 120,000 plus a performance-related bonus. Enhanced remuneration and roles may follow upon achieving commercial KPIs and business growth.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a concise response (maximum two pages) addressing strategies for achieving 1,000 kg of profitable monthly sales in six months, covering customer acquisition, route-to-market, distribution, pricing, sales team development, repeat business, and execution plans. Applications without this will not be reviewed.