Job Title:  SOMC Regional Vice President                                         

Location:  Sub Saharan Africa

Reports To:  SOG EVP                                                                     

Job Type:  Expatriate

General Purpose

The Regional Vice President will oversee modern food processing operations located in multiple countries.  Responsibilities will include providing leadership to develop and grow the business, achieving profitability through implementation of a strategic plan based on cross-functional collaborative efforts, detailed analysis, and critical thought; creatively and developing a strategic business plan for growth that will include annual and long-term goals, objectives, budgets, and targets with key performance indicators.

Primary Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• Lead the General Managers and other key senior executives in assisting with the development and achievement of their short term and long-range plans.
• Propose and execute the affiliates strategic business plans.
• Provide guidance on new product development, innovation and other high-level, strategic commercial decisions. 
• Assist with the development of new strategic distribution methods and routes to market of all products. 
• Oversee branch offices and production, distribution sites to ensure efficiency, control, and income optimization.
• Manage and develop the management team for further opportunities and professional development.  Scope to include identifying potential leadership amongst existing management group, assist in developing peer review practices and employee/executive training programs. Review and approve cost/profit center budgets.
• Oversee cost control and margin maximization.
• Review daily/weekly/monthly management reports.
• Proactively review and approve weekly/monthly financial reports; review income and cashflow projections.
• Ensure company is operating in a continuous improvement environment by encouraging new ideas, sharing best practices (both locally and regionally), and emphasizing open communication.
• Review, promote, and support in implementation of new business projects and capital expenditures in a most efficient and timely manner.
• Proactively communicate with key stakeholders and partners, board of directors, and government officials as necessary.
• Review affiliate inventory levels of raw material and other primary inputs together with Seaboard Overseas trading group in an efficient manner to avoid stock outs and/or production delays, while maintaining an optimized grist cost.
• Establish relationships with key customers that will include regular on-site visits.
• Oversee implementation and execution of objective based personnel performance review system
• In coordination with company legal counsel and retained counsel, ensure all legal matters and compliance matters are being proactively addressed to protect the company and its assets.
• Understand affiliate employee relations including collective bargaining negotiations, structuring, discipline, and recruitment.
• Provide guidance and support on Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
• Travel to other industrial operations, as required.
• The responsibilities outlined in this job description are not a comprehensive list; additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time.

Education & Experience

• University degree in related field required.
• 10+ years management experience with an industrial operations or manufacturing company, preferably in flour milling or similar industry
• Understanding of agricultural commodities markets required.
• Experience with managing commercial, industrial or logistical operations in a developing country.
• Experience with food distribution preferred.
• Demonstrated strong leadership/decision making skills required
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels required.
• Experience with combating theft and fraud in a developing country environment required.
• Fluency in French is required

Working Environment/Conditions

• Must be in good physical health
• Travel outside of main countries as needed for conferences and company meetings.
• Able to operate in complex and stressful working environments/ hardship locations.