On behalf of our client — a well-established, privately owned FMCG manufacturer with a fast-growing footprint across Southern, Central and East Africa — we are conducting a confidential search for an exceptional Chief Executive Officer.
This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned FMCG leader to take full operational and strategic command of a high-volume, multi-market business operating in one of the most dynamic and competitive consumer sectors on the continent. Following a period of rapid expansion, the Board is seeking a CEO who can institutionalise that growth — sharpening governance, strengthening route-to-market, and building a durable, professionally run organisation positioned for its next chapter
.
The successful candidate will be an expatriate executive relocating to the region, drawn by the scale of the mandate, the autonomy of the role, and the chance to leave a clear leadership legac
y.
Role Purp
oseReporting to the Board and shareholders, the CEO holds full P&L accountability for the group. The mandate is to set and execute the commercial strategy, lead the executive team, protect and grow market share, and ensure the business operates to world-class standards of governance, compliance and operational discipline across every market it serv
es.
Key Responsibili
tiesStrategy & Commercial Leader
- shipDefine and drive the group’s growth strategy across existing and new African mark
- ets.Own the full P&L — revenue, margin, cost and cash — and deliver against ambitious Board targ
- ets.Strengthen brand portfolio, pricing and route-to-market in a high-velocity FMCG environm
ent.Operations & Manufactu
- ringOversee end-to-end manufacturing, supply chain and distribution to ensure quality, efficiency and continuity of sup
- ply.Drive operational excellence, cost optimisation and capacity planning across multi-site operati
ons.Governance, Risk & Compli
- anceEmbed best-practice corporate governance, internal controls and risk management across the gr
- oup.Ensure full regulatory, excise, tax and statutory compliance in every operating jurisdict
- ion.Build transparent, robust reporting to the Board and sharehold
ers.People & Organisa
- tionLead, mentor and build a high-performing executive team and succession pipel
- ine.Shape a values-driven, accountable performance culture across a diverse, multinational workfo
rce.Stakeholder & Market Engage
- mentRepresent the business with regulators, trade bodies, key customers and partners across the reg
- ion.Protect and enhance the reputation and standing of the group in all mark
ets.
Candidate Pr
ofileWe are seeking a commercially astute, hands-on and resilient leader with a proven record of running a complex consumer goods business at scale. Critically, the ideal candidate brings deep FMCG experience and the maturity to operate effectively in a fast-moving, emerging-market environ
ment.Experience & Backg
- roundSubstantial senior leadership experience (CEO, Managing Director, COO or General Manager) within a major FMCG, manufacturing or consumer goods bus
- inessDemonstrable full P&L ownership of a multi-site, multi-market opera
- tion.Proven success scaling and professionalising a business through a period of gr
- owth.Prior experience operating in Africa or comparable emerging markets is strongly prefe
- rred.Strong grounding in manufacturing operations, supply chain and route-to-market distribu
tion.Leadership Attri
- butesA decisive, credible and culturally intelligent leader comfortable with autonomy and accountabi
- lity.Exceptional commercial instinct paired with rigorous operational and financial discip
- line.Unimpeachable integrity and a firm commitment to governance and compli
- ance.Adaptable, energetic and genuinely excited by the challenge of an expatriate posting in Af
rica.Qualifica
- tionsA relevant degree in Business, Commerce, Engineering or a related field; an MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is advantag
eous.What’s on
- OfferA highly competitive, structured expatriate remuneration pac
- kage.Genuine autonomy and a direct line to shareholders — the mandate to lead and to b
- uild.The opportunity to shape the future of a significant pan-African consumer busi
ness.