General Manager (Expat)

Overview

• The General Manager – Small Scale is responsible for leading and scaling the small-scale agribusiness division, which contributes 25% of the company's overall revenue. This senior leadership role requires a highly competitive, commercially astute, and results-driven professional with extensive experience in retail store management, people leadership, and agribusiness development.
• The primary objective is to drive business growth, expand market presence, and double the department’s revenue within five years, ensuring operational efficiency, high-performing sales teams, and a strong presence across all product categories – crop protection, greenhouse sales and installation, agri chemicals, and seed sales.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a high-growth commercial strategy to double revenue and market share within five years.
• Oversee and optimize multi-channel operations, including retail, sales, procurement, marketing, and compliance.
• Strengthen and expand distribution networks, ensuring the right route-to-market strategies for the small-scale sector.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify emerging trends and capitalize on new business opportunities.
• Drive innovation in crop protection, seed sales, greenhouses, and agri-chemicals to maintain a competitive edge.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with NGOs, government programs, and agribusiness stakeholders.

Sales & Retail Management

• Lead and manage the sales division, ensuring performance across all agribusiness product categories.
• Oversee the company’s retail store network, ensuring high standards of customer engagement and operational excellence.
• Ensure that sales targets, margins, and market share objectives are met and exceeded.
• Develop and implement pricing strategies to optimize profitability and competitiveness.

People & Performance Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, including department managers, area sales managers, agronomists, and field promoters.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and performance within the sales and operations teams.
• Drive effective training and development programs to enhance expertise in product knowledge and sales execution.
• Ensure seamless cross-functional collaboration between sales, marketing, operations, and logistics teams.

Financial & Budgeting Oversight

• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and P&L management for the small-scale division.
• Drive cost control measures, ensuring operational efficiency and profitability.
• Manage accounts receivables and debt collection to optimize cash flow and financial stability.
• Negotiate and manage supplier relationships, securing competitive product pricing and long-term supply agreements.

Product & Market Strategy

• Drive product diversification and expansion based on market intelligence and customer insights.
• Lead the introduction of new products and solutions, ensuring strong market positioning and demand.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and legal requirements in agribusiness.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership & Business Acumen – Ability to set and execute a high-growth commercial strategy.
• Sales & Retail Excellence – Strong expertise in retail operations, B2B sales, and multi-channel distribution.
• People Leadership & Team Development – Proven experience in managing and developing high-performance teams.
• Financial & Commercial Acumen – Ability to drive profitability and manage financial risks effectively.
• Competitive Market Awareness – A strong understanding of agri-inputs market trends and customer needs.
• Strong Negotiation & Communication Skills – Ability to engage with key stakeholders, suppliers, and strategic partners.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s Degree (MBA or MSc) in Agribusiness, Business Administration, or Agricultural Economics is highly preferred.
• Professional Certifications in Sales & Marketing, Financial Management, or Supply Chain Management would be beneficial.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in agribusiness, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Strong expertise in crop protection, greenhouse installation, agri chemicals, and seed sales.
• Extensive retail experience, including store management and multi-channel distribution.
• Proven track record in business development and scaling agribusiness sales.
• Experience in managing large sales teams and driving business growth in a competitive market.
• Strong financial acumen, with expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management.
• Agrovet experience is highly preferred; ability to engage with agro-input retailers and distributors.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in Swahili is a strong advantage.