My Client a large Construction and Materials Supply Company operating throughout South Africa, Africa and the Middle East is looking for suitably qualified/experienced Branch Manager - Bitumen Products for its operation in Ndola, Zambia.

The Branch Manager is responsible for the successful leadership and management of Zambia comprising 22 staff members as a legal entity in accordance with the strategic direction set by the Group.

Maintain a primary focus on maximising in-year performance whilst retaining a Group perspective and whilst developing the business and team for longer-term success.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND MEANS
Strategic Leadership
• Financial performance of Zambian business
• Day to day commercial decision making and prioritization
• Fulfilment of production/financial and safety targets
• Develop and drive business plans including “stay in business” capex
• Safeguarding the company's reserves positions at local level
• Staff development ; retention and succession
• Co-ordination of overall Zambia business activity and implementation of group initiatives across the business
• Strict adherence to the company Code of Ethics
• Co-ordination and synergies in all aspects with the other entities in the region

Performance management process
• Managing P&L (with support from the Leadership team)
• Ensuring performance contracts are cascaded down the business, that performance against contracts is monitored and addressed as appropriate.
• Preparation and monitoring of budgets
• Cash flow monitoring – (with assistance from Financial Manager)
- Defining and implementation of credit policy;
- Ongoing monitoring of customers payments
- Monitoring of cash flow forecasts
• Management of banking relationship – regular liaison with Zambian Bankers
• Ensuring that relevant foreign exchange terms are followed
• Keep abreast with relevant Zambian laws (especially tax/Revenue authority laws)
• Ensuring adherence to statutory requirements regarding Operating licences; energy regulations board requirements; Local city council for licencing requirements; Transporting licences (with assistance from Company attorneys)
• Regular meetings with Company Secretary to monitor annual financial returns
• Participation in various industry related bodies
– Zambia Bureau of Standards technical committee for bitumen
- Energy Regulations Board Meetings regarding supply of Bitumen and other technical matters
- Truckers association – transport rules
- National Council for Construction mentorship (NCC)
Sales
• Co-ordinating and prioritising sales activity within Zambia across product lines
• Contributing to key account management and other commercial issues
• Collaborating with the Key Managers to ensure appropriate coverage of key customers
• Calculation and analysis of costing on a monthly basis
• Monitoring of tenders and quotations; price levels; conditions
• Monitoring of negotiations

Business Development
• Identify and develop business development opportunities to support the growth and maintain business agenda, ensuring positive value creation and financial returns that exceeds cost of capital
• Monitoring reserves against projected demand
• Research and follow up of international markets in an African context (eg. Malawi; DRC)
• Development of new markets – in co-ordination with the company Product development managers – promote use of cost effective products for the Zambian market; finding new markets, Malawi, DCR

Commercial & Marketing Responsibilities
• Ensures consistent visibility with customers
• Identifying potential clients in surrounding African countries, and growth of business in these areas
• Introduction of new products to Zambian market
• Ensure consistent bitumen supply to customers to meet business demands
• Facilitate business seminars for introduction of Company products
• Gaining regular customer feedback, with appropriate action plans/remedies
• All other actions to promote Corporate Image

Quality
• Ensuring that the Co QMS system is implemented and operated effectively (oversight function, performed by Depot Manager)

Procurement
• Ensuring cost effective procurement of goods/supplies within the compliance procedures of Colas
• Ensuring that all rules of importation; Zambian customs rules and regulations are followed
• Regular follow up with the Zambian Revenue authority regarding importation changes/clarification

Inventory control
Overall control of inventory and stock levels (oversight function , performed by Depot Manager)

Health, Safety & Environment Responsibilities
• Continuous insistence on achieving and maintaining Colas Safety culture and drive for zero incidents
• Shall demonstrate visible felt leadership, always leading by example to influence appropriate behaviour, encouraging and coaching direct reports in developing a positive business and safety culture within the organisation and legal entities.
• Shall ensure the necessary resources are made available to ensure compliance with legal requirements and Company SHEQ standards across Zambian operation.
• Annually review and change, if necessary, the Integrated Management policy statement(s) of intent.
• Ensure targets and objectives are set to deliver continual improvement in SHEQ performance for all direct reports and all areas of the business.
• Ensure arrangements are in place to regularly monitor and review performance and standards of operations and legal entities, to ensure continual improvement is achieved, and take appropriate, timely action to redress any underperformance.
Material Management – (With assistance from Depot Manager)
• Follow up of maintenance programmes
• Consumption monitoring
Community engagement and relationship building
• Building a strong relationship with customers
• Building strong relationships with key local organisations/bodies (RDA & NRFA& LGH)
HR Responsibilities
People management
• Inspiring and leading Zambian workforce
• Working with HR to ensure personal and professional development and training of staff
• Liaising with local authorities (Labour department) in order to ensure compliance with labour laws
• Ensure that appropriate employees receive timely performance reviews and feedback (with support from HR function)
• Application of appropriate disciplinary action when needed
• Definition of remuneration levels, and relevant adjustments with assistance from HR

Qualifications
• Graduate calibre or equivalent experience and intellect level, preferably with a Technical background (important) (Mechanical / Electrical/Civil) in a manufacturing environment; Management/professional qualification (advantageous)

Should you not receive a response within 2 weeks of applying for the above position, please consider your application unsuccessful, we will however endeavour to search for suitable positions that may be appropriate to your experience and location.