YOUR ROLE

A Solar Water Farm (SWF) creates access to clean water for communities by purifying salty water using solar power. As Senior Site Operations Manager you will be responsible for the overall performance of multiple Solar Water Farms (SWF) in the assigned area distributing your time between these to ensure achievement of our People, Customer, Sales, Operations and Financial goals.

You will also have hands-on responsibility for new site set-up, planning and allocating resources, preparing budgets, executing & monitoring progress and keeping stakeholders informed throughout the project lifecycle.

Your duties will also include guiding site management staff in your area, executing on objectives, evaluating and optimizing operational performance, ensuring regulatory and company standards are upheld, and preparing area performance forecasts and reports.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, manage, review, and develop the Site level Managers in the area and ensure they achieve their individual site goals.
• Participate in area new site set-up (pre and post commissioning) and take responsibility for procurement of office furniture, site equipment, security services & waste disposal services and set-up of productivity systems (Internet, phone lines etc.) ensuring that all projects are delivered on time within the stipulated scope and budget.
• Actively collaborate with the SWF Project Manager, assigned Deployment Manager, O&M Manager on new site development.
• Participate in distribution validation of proposed site locations in assigned area.
• In collaboration with the Community Engagement Manager and HR Manager manage the launch of new sites participating in the selection, onboarding and training of new Site level Managers and working to retain great talent thereafter.
• Support area site level managers in coordinating repairs with area O&M teams and escalating critical issues as required.
• Achieve overall area volume (litres per day) forecast and financial breakeven as defined in budget.
• Serve as first-level support for Site level Managers in resolving day-to-day challenges while providing strategic insights.
• Continuously plan, evaluate, and optimize operations in the area to be efficient and cost-effective, looking for and leveraging any synergies and resource sharing.
• Own area business outcomes presenting these in weekly reviews of the area providing performance against KPI’s and proactively recommending remedial actions.
• Continuously communicate GivePower Kenya’s Mission and Values to staff in the area ensuring that our impact on the community is always top of mind.
• Promote a customer-centric culture ensuring that customer issues and escalations are managed in a proactive and timely manner that leads to an exceptional customer experience
• Ensure strict and on-time compliance with all licenses and standards (county, quality, insurance, SHE, VAT, etc.) mandatory for site operation as well as SOP’s, policies and procedures.
• Develop, grow, and maintain strong relationships with area community leaders, key customers, government representatives, etc. to maximize our local relevance and positive brand equity.
• Collaborate with the Country Manager and GivePower global team in making strategic and tactical decisions for sites in area.
• Execute on other duties as assigned.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:

1. Fluency in English and Swahili.
2. Bachelor's degree in a business, commercial, management or related field preferred.
3. Experience in area or multi-site management preferred.
4. Experience leading fast-moving consumer goods sales and distribution teams is an added advantage.
5. Strong knowledge of business and management principles (budgeting, cash and cost management, planning, resource allocation and human resources).
6. Project management and related experiences.
7. Ability to work flexibly and travel in the area.
8. Computer literacy (Microsoft Office suite or equivalent and Asana project management software) and able to learn other applications.
9. Strong ability to communicate with people effectively and confidently at all levels including direct staff, colleagues, customers and influencers.
10. Problem-solving skills that enable proactive identification and resolution of issues.
11. Ability to effectively resolve internal or external conflicts.
12. Skills to develop positive relationships by understanding and addressing individual needs, build and work in strong teams, motivate, coach and collaborate with others.
13. Ability to delegate effectively as needed while holding others accountable for outcomes.
14. Strength to work under pressure from time-to-time by multi-tasking, prioritizing, making decisions or escalating for support when appropriate to meet stringent deadlines.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Achieve or exceed daily bowser sales targets in a reliable and predictable (recurring) way.
2. Assist in the development and execution of sales and marketing plans and forecasts.
3. Accurately take and manage orders, ensure cash payments, and optimize daily route plans (working with colleagues) to minimize delivery cost and customer waiting time.
4. Collaborate with cashiering team to offer quality customer service and ensure accurate and up to date customer information across all company data bases
5. Acquire a deep understanding of the market and provide regular reports on seasonality, existing and potential customers / consumers, their needs, problems & requirements, product usage, competitive activity, pricing and potential for new products and services.
6. Continuously prospect for and acquire new customers while developing and maintaining strong and productive long-term relationships with existing ones.
7. Educate customers on our mission and value proposition to drive sales, loyalty and trust.
8. Ensure customer concerns and escalations are handled in a proactive and timely manner that leads to an exceptional customer experience.
9. Ensure all customers are treated fairly and equally as regards allocation of water and any other services (first come first serve).
10. Develop and maintain close internal working relationships at all levels and collaborate with colleagues to improve teamwork, productivity, sales and customer satisfaction.
11. At all times be a good ambassador for the company, keeping our Mission and Values top of mind in all engagements with and decisions affecting customers.
12. Ensure proper maintenance and security of company assets including the bowser, equipment, and cash where applicable.
13. Ensure compliance with the company vehicle operating procedure.
14. Adhere to all company policies and regulations.
15. Execute on other duties and work schedules as assigned by the Site Manager.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:

1. Fluency in English and Swahili.
2. Good understanding of local cultural nuances and market landscape.
3. Diploma in a business or commercial field preferred.
4. Highly motivated, target and results driven with 1-year relevant experience in sales and marketing (FMCG Sales Experience will be an advantage).
5. Strong customer service focus, interpersonal skills, and the ability to develop relationships.
6. Strong selling, negotiation, and communication skills
7. Computer literacy and able to learn applications.
8. Ability to effectively resolve conflict with internal and external stakeholders.
9. Ability to work under pressure from time-to-time by multi-tasking, prioritizing, or escalating for support when appropriate to meet stringent deadlines.
10. Able to understand basic system operations, troubleshooting and preventive maintenance principles.