Job Purpose
The General Manager will provide strategic, commercial and operational leadership to Domaine Kenya Ltd. The role will be responsible for driving sustainable business growth, increasing sales and profitability, strengthening customer and supplier relationships, and ensuring efficient management of the company’s wine importation, distribution and sales operations.
The General Manager will translate the company’s strategic direction into operational plans, budgets, performance targets and measurable business outcomes. The position will also ensure strong financial management, effective inventory control, regulatory compliance, sound corporate governance and the development of a high-performing team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Business Management
- Provide overall leadership and direction in the implementation of the company’s vision, strategy and annual business plan.
- Develop and present strategic, operational and financial plans for approval by the Board.
- Translate approved strategies into departmental objectives, budgets and performance targets.
- Identify new business opportunities, markets, products, partnerships and distribution channels.
- Monitor market trends, consumer preferences, competitor activities and developments within the wine and beverage industry.
- Lead the development and implementation of growth, diversification and market-penetration strategies.
- Ensure that the company maintains a strong and sustainable market position.
- Provide timely strategic advice to the Board on business performance, risks and emerging opportunities.
Commercial Growth and Sales Management
- Develop and implement the company’s sales and commercial strategy.
- Set annual and periodic sales targets by product, customer segment, geographical area and sales channel.
- Drive revenue growth across hotels, restaurants, retailers, distributors, corporate clients, events and other approved sales channels.
- Monitor sales performance and ensure that corrective action is taken where targets are not achieved.
- Support the sales team in acquiring and retaining key customers.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with major clients, distributors, hospitality establishments and other business partners.
- Review product pricing, discounts, credit terms and promotional arrangements to ensure profitability.
- Ensure that commercial agreements are properly reviewed, authorised and documented.
- Monitor customer profitability, sales margins and product performance.
- Oversee customer-service standards and ensure that customer complaints are addressed promptly and professionally.
Brand Development and Marketing
- Provide leadership in the development and positioning of Domaine Kenya Ltd’s wine portfolio.
- Approve and oversee marketing plans, product launches, wine tastings, promotional events and customer-engagement initiatives.
- Ensure that marketing activities are aligned with approved budgets, brand guidelines and applicable legal requirements.
- Develop partnerships with hotels, restaurants, retailers, event organisers and other stakeholders to promote the company’s products.
- Monitor the performance of marketing campaigns and evaluate their impact on sales and brand visibility.
- Promote responsible and professional marketing of the company’s products.
- Ensure that product information, promotional materials and communication accurately represent the company and its brands.
Supplier and Principal Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local and international wine producers, suppliers and brand principals.
- Lead negotiations on pricing, supply terms, exclusivity arrangements, credit terms, shipment schedules and promotional support.
- Ensure that supplier agreements protect the commercial interests of Domaine Kenya Ltd.
- Monitor supplier performance, product quality, delivery timelines and compliance with agreed terms.
- Coordinate with suppliers on product forecasts, new products, marketing support and market-development initiatives.
- Identify and evaluate potential suppliers and wine brands that complement the company’s portfolio.
- Ensure that purchasing decisions are based on market demand, profitability, stock levels and approved budgets.
Operations, Importation and Logistics
- Oversee the efficient importation, receipt, storage, distribution and delivery of wines and related products.
- Ensure that procurement and importation plans are aligned with approved sales forecasts and stock requirements.
- Monitor shipping, clearing, customs, insurance, transport and other logistics arrangements.
- Ensure that imported products are supported by the required documentation and regulatory approvals.
- Coordinate with clearing agents, transporters, warehouse personnel and other service providers.
- Monitor landed costs and ensure that importation and logistics expenses remain within approved parameters.
- Ensure that customer orders are processed accurately and delivered within agreed timelines.
- Identify operational inefficiencies and implement improvements in procurement, warehousing and distribution processes.
- Ensure appropriate business-continuity arrangements are maintained for critical operations.
Inventory and Warehouse Management
- Ensure that the company maintains appropriate inventory levels based on demand forecasts, lead times and sales plans.
- Monitor stock availability, stock turnover, product ageing and slow-moving inventory.
- Ensure that proper controls are maintained over stock receipts, transfers, sales, returns, breakages, damages and promotional stock.
- Review regular inventory-reconciliation and stock-variance reports.
- Ensure that physical stock counts are conducted periodically and all variances are investigated and resolved.
- Implement measures to minimize stock losses, damage, theft, expiry and obsolescence.
- Approve appropriate action for slow-moving, damaged or obsolete stock.
- Ensure that warehouses maintain acceptable standards of security, cleanliness, safety and product handling.
- Hold the relevant departmental heads accountable for the proper custody and management of company inventory.
Financial Management and Profitability
- Work closely with the Senior Accountant and finance team to maintain the company’s financial sustainability.
- Lead the preparation of annual budgets, financial forecasts, cash-flow projections and capital-expenditure plans.
- Monitor revenue, gross margins, operating expenses, cash flows and overall profitability.
- Review monthly management accounts and financial-performance reports.
- Ensure that corrective action is taken where expenditure exceeds approved budgets or income falls below projections.
- Review product, customer and sales-channel profitability to support informed commercial decisions.
- Ensure that the company maintains adequate working capital to support its operations.
- Approve expenditure within delegated limits and ensure that all expenditure is properly supported.
- Monitor accounts receivable, customer credit exposure and overdue debts.
- Ensure that supplier obligations, payroll, taxes and other financial commitments are settled within approved timelines.
- Promote cost efficiency without compromising product quality, customer service or regulatory compliance.
Internal Controls and Risk Management
- Establish and maintain appropriate operational, financial and administrative controls.
- Ensure that company assets, inventory, cash, information and records are adequately safeguarded.
- Identify strategic, commercial, financial, operational, compliance and reputational risks.
- Maintain an up-to-date risk register and ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.
- Ensure proper segregation of duties and compliance with delegated approval limits.
- Review significant contracts, transactions and commitments before approval.
- Ensure that suspected fraud, theft, misconduct or control failures are investigated and reported appropriately.
- Coordinate responses to internal and external audit findings.
- Ensure that agreed audit and risk-management recommendations are implemented within the required timelines.
Regulatory and Legal Compliance
- Ensure that Domaine Kenya Ltd complies with all applicable laws, licenses, permits, tax obligations and industry requirements.
- Maintain an up-to-date compliance calendar for licences, statutory returns, taxes, permits and contractual obligations.
- Ensure that all required business, importation, distribution, warehouse and product-related licences remain valid.
- Coordinate with the finance team to ensure accurate and timely filing and payment of taxes and statutory obligations.
- Ensure that appropriate records are maintained for all imports, purchases, sales and stock movements.
- Liaise with regulators, professional advisers and relevant authorities on compliance matters.
- Ensure that the company complies with employment, occupational safety, data protection and consumer-protection requirements.
- Report significant compliance breaches or regulatory risks to the Board promptly.
- Promote responsible sale, distribution and marketing of alcoholic beverages.
Corporate Governance and Board Reporting
- Serve as the principal link between the Board and the company’s management team.
- Prepare and submit timely management, operational, financial and strategic reports to the Board.
- Provide the Board with accurate information on business performance, risks, opportunities and material developments.
- Implement Board resolutions and provide regular updates on progress.
- Ensure that matters requiring Board approval are presented in good time and supported by adequate information.
- Maintain appropriate records of management decisions and delegated approvals.
- Support the Board in policy development, strategic planning and governance reviews.
- Ensure that company policies are communicated, implemented and periodically reviewed.
People Leadership and Performance Management
- Lead, motivate and develop the company’s management and operational teams.
- Ensure that the company has an appropriate organizational structure and sufficient staffing to deliver its objectives.
- Participate in the recruitment, selection and onboarding of key employees.
- Set clear performance targets for departmental heads and regularly review their performance.
- Promote accountability, teamwork, innovation, professionalism and customer focus.
- Ensure that staff performance is assessed through a structured performance-management process.
- Identify staff-development needs and support appropriate training, coaching and mentoring.
- Address performance, conduct and disciplinary matters promptly and in accordance with company policy and applicable law.
- Promote employee engagement, effective communication and a positive workplace culture.
- Support succession planning and the development of internal leadership capacity.
Stakeholder and Relationship Management
- Represent Domaine Kenya Ltd professionally in engagements with customers, suppliers, regulators, financiers and other stakeholders.
- Develop strategic partnerships that support the company’s growth and market position.
- Maintain strong relationships with key hospitality, retail, corporate and distribution partners.
- Manage sensitive stakeholder matters and protect the company’s reputation.
- Serve as the company’s authorized representative where delegated by the Board.
- Ensure that external communication is accurate, professional and consistent with the company’s interests.
Technology, Systems and Business Information
- Promote the use of reliable accounting, inventory, customer-management and reporting systems.
- Ensure that management receives accurate and timely information for decision-making.
- Oversee improvements in business systems, automation and data analysis.
- Ensure that access to company systems is appropriately controlled.
- Promote proper management, security and confidentiality of company information.
- Ensure that departmental reports are accurate, consistent and submitted within agreed timelines.
Other Responsibilities
- Undertake any other duties reasonably assigned by the Board.
- Participate in meetings, negotiations, industry forums and company events as required.
- Act in the best interests of Domaine Kenya Ltd and protect its reputation, assets and commercial interests.
Requirements
- Education: A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance, Marketing, Economics or another relevant field. A master’s degree in Business Administration, Strategic Management, Marketing, Finance or a related field will be an added advantage.
- Experience: At least eight years of progressive management experience, with a minimum of three years in a senior leadership or general-management position.
- Industry Experience: Experience in the wine, alcoholic beverages, fast-moving consumer goods, hospitality, retail, importation or distribution sector will be a significant advantage.
- Commercial Experience: Demonstrable experience managing budgets, revenue targets, inventory and customer-credit arrangements. Experience managing relationships with international suppliers, brand principals or distributors will be an added advantage.
- Logistics Knowledge: Practical understanding of importation, warehousing, logistics and distribution processes.
- System Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and relevant enterprise, accounting, inventory or customer-management systems.
- Other: Experience preparing management and Board reports.
