Our partners, a leading holding company in the steel industry, managing multiple subsidiaries across Africa and specializing in manufacturing, processing, and distribution, are looking for a Head of Operations, to lead plant operations, overseeing the scrap processing and logistics, production, plant maintenance, projects, HSE and Stores functions in the plant.
Responsibilities
Strategy, Planning and Budgeting
- Drive the business planning and budgeting process across all departments in alignment with group strategy
- Present budgets, growth plans, and potential challenges to the Regional CEO and Group CEO, seeking input and feedback
- Finalize departmental growth plans and budgets based on discussions
- Communicate approved plans to department heads and review their objectives, goals, and budgets
- Collaborate with department heads to build roadmaps for achieving business targets
- Define or review team objectives in line with organizational goals
- Regularly assess team progress and provide updates to management
Business Review
- Lead review meetings with department heads
- Discuss achievements, challenges, performance issues, and escalation matters
- Guide teams in problem resolution
- Conduct periodic evaluations of various business functions’ performance
- Implement corrective actions in case of deviations
- Assess requirements for process modifications
- Direct teams to establish and execute change management roadmaps
Sales and Supply Chain (Procurement, Logistics, and Production) Management
- Conduct regular reviews with sales and SCM heads on sales pipelines, forecasts, and production plan adherence
- Provide support in escalated matters concerning planning, production, and delivery
- Ensure compliance with production, manufacturing, and procurement plans as per organizational needs
- Assist teams in prioritizing production planning during critical situations
- Join sales teams in meetings with key clients and prospects to strengthen relationships and address service requirements
- Lead supply chain strategy and ensure adherence to industry best practices
- Conceptualize and guide technical operations projects aimed at achieving operational excellence
People & Culture
- Oversee implementation of the department’s people philosophy, aligned with organizational culture, strategy, and values
- Empower individuals and teams by providing guidance and support to achieve annual goals and targets
- Manage resources effectively and enhance team engagement through People & Culture interventions
- Support day-to-day People & Culture priorities, responsibilities, and initiatives
- Review and approve staffing needs, leave requests, and conduct interviews as needed
- Encourage both professional and mandatory training initiatives in collaboration with the P&C Department
- Supervise, mentor, and coach talents to strengthen team capabilities
- Lead and participate in performance management, ensuring accountability and documentation
- Participate in management development programs when required
Finance Management
- Monitor business performance closely through effective forecasting and budgetary controls to achieve both long-term and short-term goals
- Lead commercial negotiations to secure cost optimization
Organization Development and Process Improvement
- Work alongside MDs/CEOs/GMs to assess existing and potential gaps in business and functional processes
- Design strategic interventions to enhance process efficiency, HSE standards, productivity, profitability, and cost competitiveness
- Drive the rollout of SOPs across the business
- Build cross-functional teams to execute and institutionalize these initiatives
Compliance and Regulations
- Supervise the implementation of business controls to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
- Collaborate with senior management to establish action plans for addressing non-compliance issues
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Business Administration
- 12+ years of experience in a senior operational management role
- Strong understanding of steel manufacturing processes and operations
- Knowledge of Africa’s macro and microeconomic landscape, including emerging and established markets for MMD Steel
- Awareness of trends, standards, and advancements in the manufacturing sector (steel and beyond)
- Comprehensive understanding of processes across the steel manufacturing value chain, including Finance, HR, and Sales
- Solid grasp of financial management principles
- Knowledge of key business drivers
- In-depth expertise in production processes
- Proficiency in local language and English, or willingness to learn
- Ability to thrive in a multicultural environment
- Strategic business mindset
- Leadership grounded in innovation and sustainability
- Strong customer orientation
- Result-driven with a focus on execution excellence
- Effective people management skills
- Strong conflict resolution abilities
Location
- Benin, Africa