Position Description

Job Title: General Manager – Snack Manufacturing

Department Manufacturing / Executive Management

Reports To: Board of Directors

Direct reports: Heads of Production, Sales, Finance & Procurement, and HR

Job Purpose

The General Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, strategy, and performance of the snack manufacturing business. This includes operations, sales, finance, supply chain, quality, and people management, ensuring profitability, efficiency, and market growth.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the company's business strategy and growth plans


• Identify new market opportunities, product lines, and distribution channels


• Set annual budgets, targets, and KPIs


• Drive innovation in product development (new flavors, packaging, formats)

Operations & Manufacturing

• Oversee end-to-end production processes (procurement → production → packaging)


• Ensure optimal capacity utilization and efficiency


• Implement lean manufacturing / cost optimization initiatives


• Minimize downtime, waste, and production losses


• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards

Sales & Commercial Performance

• Drive revenue growth and market share


• Oversee sales strategy, pricing, and distribution networks


• Manage key accounts (modern trade, distributors, wholesalers)


• Monitor market trends, competitors, and consumer preferences

Financial Management

• Own the P&L (profit and loss) performance


• Manage cost structures (raw materials, labor, overheads)


• Ensure strong cash flow and working capital management


• Approve major capital expenditures (e.g., machinery, expansion)

Supply Chain & Procurement

• Oversee sourcing of raw materials (e.g., maize, wheat, oil, flavoring)


• Ensure supplier reliability and cost efficiency


• Manage inventory levels and reduce stock-outs or overstocking


• Optimize logistics and distribution efficiency

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure products meet food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, ISO, local regulations)


• Maintain consistent product quality and brand standards


• Oversee audits, certifications, and regulatory compliance

People & Leadership

• Lead and develop department heads (production, sales, finance, HR, QA)


• Build a performance-driven culture


• Oversee hiring, training, and retention of key talent


• Manage industrial relations (especially in factory environments)

Risk Management

• Identify operational, financial, and market risks


• Ensure adequate internal controls and governance structures


• Manage crisis situations (e.g., product recalls, supply disruptions)

Key Result Areas

(Outputs)

• Revenue growth (>10% p.a)


• Gross margin (> 30%) / EBITDA margin (> 20%)


• Production efficiency (OEE > 85%)


• Waste and defect rates ( 8 turns/year)


• On-time delivery rates (> 90%)

Person Specification

Education, Training, Skills & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Food Science or related field (MBA an added advantage)

Experience

• 10 - 15+ years’ experience in FMCG or food manufacturing


• Proven leadership experience managing multi-functional teams


• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and supply chain


• Experience in P&L management

Skills

• Strategic thinking and execution


• Strong commercial acumen


• Operational excellence mindset


• Leadership and people management


• Financial analysis and cost control


• Decision-making under pressure

Environment

• Role is based primarily at the manufacturing facility, with regular time on the production floor as well as in an office environment; travel to distributor, supplier, and market locations will be required in support of the position's responsibilities.


• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk the plant floor, stand, and use hands to inspect equipment and product; appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) must be worn in production areas at all times.

Additional Typical Challenges in Snack Manufacturing

• Fluctuating raw material prices (e.g., oil, grains)


• Maintaining consistent quality at scale


• Distribution inefficiencies in emerging markets


• Competition from low-cost or informal players


• Managing shelf life and product freshness

• Develop and execute the company's business strategy and growth plans
• Identify new market opportunities, product lines, and distribution channels
• Set annual budgets, targets, and KPIs
• Drive innovation in product development (new flavors, packaging, formats)
• Oversee end-to-end production processes (procurement → production → packaging)
• Ensure optimal capacity utilization and efficiency
• Implement lean manufacturing / cost optimization initiatives
• Minimize downtime, waste, and production losses
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards
• Drive revenue growth and market share
• Oversee sales strategy, pricing, and distribution networks
• Manage key accounts (modern trade, distributors, wholesalers)
• Monitor market trends, competitors, and consumer preferences
• Own the P&L (profit and loss) performance
• Manage cost structures (raw materials, labor, overheads)
• Ensure strong cash flow and working capital management
• Approve major capital expenditures (e.g., machinery, expansion)
• Oversee sourcing of raw materials (e.g., maize, wheat, oil, flavoring)
• Ensure supplier reliability and cost efficiency
• Manage inventory levels and reduce stock-outs or overstocking
• Optimize logistics and distribution efficiency
• Ensure products meet food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, ISO, local regulations)
• Maintain consistent product quality and brand standards
• Oversee audits, certifications, and regulatory compliance
• Lead and develop department heads (production, sales, finance, HR, QA)
• Build a performance-driven culture
• Oversee hiring, training, and retention of key talent
• Manage industrial relations (especially in factory environments)
• Identify operational, financial, and market risks
• Ensure adequate internal controls and governance structures
• Manage crisis situations (e.g., product recalls, supply disruptions)

• Strategic thinking and execution
• Strong commercial acumen
• Operational excellence mindset
• Leadership and people management
• Financial analysis and cost control
• Decision-making under pressure

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Food Science or related field (MBA an added advantage)
• 10 - 15+ years’ experience in FMCG or food manufacturing
• Proven leadership experience managing multi-functional teams
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and supply chain
• Experience in P&L management