EABL Jobs: Group Strategy Manager

Context/Scope:
EABL operates within a multi cultural, multi national, multi currency environment. Recognized as the leading value and premium drinks company that is proud of the growth of our brands and our people.
The ambitious business goals focus our company on achieving strong growth through understanding of consumer & customer motivation.
The Strategy section will be tasked with formulating, implementing and evaluating cross- functional decisions that will enable EABL to achieve its business objectives. This section will be mandated with providing overall direction to the business after approval by the BOD and GMD.
This role will work closely with GMD, MDs, Executive Committee and relevant external parties.
Dimensions
Market Complexity:

This role operates in the East African context and has significant impact on the business requiring self-drive, management and dealing with a lot of uncertainty.
Ensuring that the strategic direction developed is not rigid or narrow to allow for creativity or change due to market dynamism.

Leadership Responsibilities:

This position will provide overall direction to the Group Strategy section as well as guide Business Unit MDs as well as other senior managers on the strategic planning agenda.

Purpose of Role:

To lead the strategic planning agenda in the Group and get agreement of the same as well as raise the performance bar, by challenging the status quo throughout the group.
To guide key local strategic initiatives and work alongside project teams on the highest value strategic priorities that will deliver business growth.

Accountabilities

Manage the interface between EABL and the pan-African strategic issues.
Communicate strategy and guide the process of integrating strategy to performance management systems within the group.
Champion and provide continuity for the strategic planning process. Ensure key strategic issues are implemented and progress vs. plan monitored.
Develop detailed business analyses and work with businesses to deliver action plans supporting short and long term strategies within the group.
Facilitate group strategic initiatives e.g. MFV and ensure that strategic capabilities are rolled out to all levels of management and work with Innovation Manager to offer guidance on Navigate process
Be proactive in the conceptual formulation, evaluation and implementation of business development initiatives identified across the Group.
Offer guidance to finance heads in strengthening decision support role within the group.

Qualifications:

Degree level and Post Graduate qualifications (MBA/MA), preferably from a top tier school with high scholastic achievement.

Experience:

Broad business experience in a senior management position in a large “blue chip” organization.
Project management experience
Comfortable with individuals at all the levels in the organization
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
Excellent influencing skills
Conceptual, problem solving/analytical skills

Barriers to Success in Role:

Inability to keep up with macroeconomic forecasts for the region, latest and expected regulatory changes in the environment, etc..
Inability to give thought leadership to Government and other key stakeholders who influence the fiscal policy in their territory, and to give the requisite support to Corporate Affairs to help drive their agenda in this respect.
Inability to maintain a regional outlook and to think ‘total beverage’.
Inability to orchestrate different business units/functions to work together towards execution of agreed strategies in a coherent and timely manner.
Inability to think the ‘extraordinary’.
Lack of basic M&A understanding.