Chief Executive Officer - Dairy Factory

Category: Senior Management

Location: Nyandarua County

Industry: Dairy

Schedule: Full-time

Reporting to: Board of Directors

Terms of Service: Performance-based three (3) years contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance

Description:

A well-established and leading dairy processor in Kenya, renowned for delivering quality and innovative products through sustainable business practices, is seeking to recruit a highly skilled, results driven and visionary Chief Executive Officer to guide the Company into its next phase of sustainable growth and operational transformation. The Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for shaping and executing corporate strategy, strengthening commercial performance, modernizing operations, enhancing competitiveness and inspiring a high-performing organization to deliver sustained value creation.

This role requires a strategic and forward-thinking leader with deep FMCG sector expertise, strong commercial and financial acumen, and a proven ability to translate bold strategic plans into measurable business results while fostering a high-performance culture aligned with the Company’s vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in the execution of the Company’s-approved corporate strategic plan by ensuring alignment with the Company’s long-term vision, growth objectives and the Balanced Scorecard.
• Lead the effective implementation, monitoring and periodic review of the Company’s strategic plan and ensure delivery of defined milestones and measurable performance outcomes.
• Drive revenue growth, profitability and sustainable market competitiveness through disciplined execution and innovation.
• Oversee product portfolio optimization including expansion into high-margin, value-added dairy products to strengthen market positioning.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable operational plans, performance targets and accountability frameworks across the Company.
• Spearhead the modernization and continuous improvement of processing facilities to enhance capacity, efficiency and product quality.
• Ensure full compliance with all food safety, quality assurance and regulatory standards maintaining best-in-class operational benchmarks.
• Optimize end-to-end supply chain performance, from milk procurement and farmer engagement to production and distribution.
• Drive the implementation of robust ICT and ERP systems to improve traceability, operational visibility and data-driven decision-making.
• Serve as the principal accounting officer ensuring financial sustainability, profitability and prudent capital management.
• Establish and oversee a comprehensive enterprise risk management framework to proactively identify, assess and mitigate strategic, operational, financial and compliance risks.
• Provide timely, accurate and comprehensive performance reports to the Board including Balanced Scorecard metrics and ensure effective implementation of Board resolutions and directives.
• Serve as the primary link between the Board of Directors and Management by ensuring that Directors are adequately informed through timely, accurate and relevant information and by maintaining effective internal control systems and governance processes to support sound business decisions.
• Ensure strict compliance with all legal, regulatory and governance requirements upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including regulatory authorities, industry associations, customers, suppliers and farmer cooperatives.
• Lead market intelligence initiatives to monitor trends, consumer preferences and competitive dynamics.
• Strengthen brand positioning and corporate reputation through proactive stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships.
• Foster a high-performance, results-driven organizational culture, mentoring and developing senior leadership.
• Implement structured succession planning to ensure continuity of leadership and organizational resilience.
• Promote employee engagement, professional growth and cross-functional collaboration to drive organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications, Experience & Core Competencies

a) Education:

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), Agribusiness, Economics, Finance, or a related field from a recognized university.
• Professional qualifications in leadership or corporate governance are an advantage.
• Membership in Professional Bodies that are related to Food Science or the dairy industry is  also highly desirable

b) Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience, including at least five years in senior management of a large commercial organization.
• Proven experience in FMCG or dairy processing is highly preferred.

c) Proven Track Record:

Demonstrable success in executing strategic plans, driving business growth and managing complex organizations with robust governance practices.

d) Core Skills:

• Strong commercial and financial acumen with the ability to drive profitability and sustainable growth.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Visionary leadership capable of inspiring, motivating and aligning high-performing teams.
• High integrity and commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance.
• Demonstrate good organization change management skills and experience

How to Apply

If you are a transformative leader ready to drive a legacy dairy company to new heights, please submit the following: -

• An updated CV
• Copies of academic and professional certificates
• Your email address and daytime telephone contact
• Contact details of three referees

Send your applications to with the subject line: “APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF CEO.”

The successful candidate shall be required to provide valid clearance certificates from the following bodies:-

1. Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)

2. Kenya