Head of Manufacturing & Strategic Planning

Position: Head of Manufacturing
(Senior Leadership Role)

A leading, vertically integrated textile manufacturing company based in East Africa is
seeking to appoint a Head of Manufacturing to lead and transform its manufacturing
function.
With operations spanning spinning, weaving, dyeing, knitting, and finishing, the
company serves a diverse and growing regional market and is focused on strengthening
its manufacturing capability to support the next phase of scale and competitiveness.

Role Overview
This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and evolving the end-to-end
manufacturing function.
The mandate goes beyond operational management — the role is expected to
transform manufacturing into a competitive advantage through stronger systems,
forward planning, leadership development, and cross-functional integration.
The role will report directly to the CEO and will lead a team of approximately 8 direct
reports, including heads of key manufacturing departments.

Core Mandate
 Build a forward-looking manufacturing system that aligns demand, capacity,
and execution over a 3 to 6 month horizon
 Drive structural improvements in cost competitiveness, eƯiciency, and
reliability
 Develop leadership depth and succession across all manufacturing
departments
 Strengthen production planning and coordination to improve fulfilment
consistency
 Act as a bridge between manufacturing and the broader business, ensuring
alignment with demand and growth plans

Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Leadership
 Provide overall leadership across spinning, weaving, dyeing, knitting, and
finishing operations
 Ensure production is eƯicient, reliable, and aligned with business priorities
Planning & Forward Visibility
 Establish structured production and capacity planning processes
 Drive a shift from reactive to forward-looking operations
 Improve visibility and coordination across departments
Systems & Continuous Improvement
 Introduce systems, processes, and performance frameworks that improve
consistency and reduce dependency on individuals
 Lead initiatives focused on cost optimisation, eƯiciency, and operational
excellence
Leadership & Team Development
 Build and mentor strong second-line leadership across departments
 Drive accountability, ownership, and a culture of continuous improvement
 Make necessary team changes to strengthen the function where required
Capex & Strategic Initiatives
 Identify and lead capital investment initiatives aligned with capacity and growth
requirements
 Evaluate and propose new technologies, machinery, and process improvements
Cross-Functional Integration
 Work closely with Business Development, Finance, and Operations teams
 Align manufacturing plans with demand forecasts and business strategy
 Ensure coordination with raw material planning and supply requirements