Corporate Overview

BURN Manufacturing designs produces and distributes Africa’s best-selling, fuel efficient biomass, electric, hybrid, and liquid fuel cooking appliances. Not only do our products save money, fuel, and natural resources, but they also dramatically reduce harmful indoor smoke emissions which can cause significant health problems, even death.

With more than a 1.2Millon+ stoves sold since commencing manufacturing operations in 2013, BURN has established itself as Africa’s most trusted cookstove brand thanks to our unwavering commitment to innovative research and design, manufacturing excellence, and customer care.

BURN is now the only vertically integrated modern cookstove company in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our solar-powered facility currently has a capacity of 45,000 stoves per month. We are proud to employ 400 team members throughout Kenya and East Africa, and support a workforce that is 50 percent female, thus empowering women in roles traditionally considered to be “for men only.”

Among our national and global honors, we have received the 2018 Bloomberg New Energy Pioneers Award for being among the world’s leaders in clean energy solutions, the 2018 Swiss Energy and Climate Summit Award for our pitch on the impact of clean-burning stoves, and the 2015 Ashden Green Energy International Award for empowering women with new economic opportunities.

Job description

About the role

BURN is looking for an Operations & Systems Director to be the senior strategic leader responsible for shaping operational strategy and the overall management of sales operation activities across the countries where BURN has a presence. Leading a team of experienced sales professionals, the Operations & Systems Director will create and execute innovative strategies to drive growth, competitive advantage, and financial and operating performance.

Role and Responsibilities

Management: Managing a set of 10+ country operation managers; coordinating the different functions for each country this includes aftersales, inventory management, HR, Logistics, Accounts, Data collection, and Finance

Inventory Management: inventory management from ex-works to end-users across all export markets

• Build and manage systems to plan inventory requirements, at a variety of locations throughout the supply chain

 Logistics: Develop and manage systems for distributing 1 million+ wood stoves into rural markets across Africa

• Manage the various in-country logistic operation functions
• Manage the product logistics cycle from Nairobi to all of BURN’s country markets
• Build and manage systems to ensure BURN products are delivered securely to storage locations throughout sub-Saharan Africa
• Build and Manage strategies and procedures for using distribution sub-contractors, including trucking companies, distribution centers, and other service providers

Aftersales & Business intelligence: Manage the aftersales and business intelligence departments:

• Aftersales:
• Ensuring adequate customer care and repair services across all operating markets
• Optimizing time to repair and access to customer support

Data Collection: Own strategy and execution on systems that collect 100% value chain from warehouse to end-user data in real-time with minimal errors

HR& Finance: Work with the HR and Finance departments to

• build scalable procedures and systems relevant to commercial operations
• measure and ensure adherence to these procedures by commercial teams
• Hire, train, and optimize a great team to ensure quality delivery of service

Education and Experience

• University degree in a relevant field
• 10+ years working experience in FMCG distribution, or a related field
• Leadership experience – at least 5 years’ experience managing a team
• Detailed knowledge of logistics and distribution processes
• Knowledge of stock control and management of decentralized storage and distribution sites
• Experience managing negotiating with subcontractors, to ensure delivery on agreed service levels
• Ability to work autonomously and think on your feet
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Good data analysis skills
• Ability to work in a highly demanding dynamic environment.

How to apply

If you believe you can clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the criteria given above, please submit your application with a detailed CV to the email:[email protected]