Chilling Plant Managers

Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation is a newly formed company whose objective is to drive, expand and organize the dairy industry in Kenya to become efficient, competitive and sustainable. Its vision is to have a strong, progressive and sustainable dairy farming sector in Kenya. Its brings together over 20 dairy farmer business which drives and operates milk chilling plants in 11 counties namely; Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Nakuru, Nyandarua and Nyeri. The businesses started as chilling plants but most of them have transition into hubs with more than one business including Agrovet chains, AI, milk transport and animal health and extension services. The position is available for the chilling plant managers in Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Kericho, Uasin Gishu and Bomet counties.

Summary of Position Responsibilities
Reporting to the KDFF CP Operations Coordinator and the Chilling Plant (CP) Board of Directors, the Manager will be in charge of all cooling plant operations and all other businesses owned by the company/farmers. He will supervise the performance of all staff members, develop annual work plans, strategic plans and oversee their implementation, be accountable for procurement decisions and manage supplier relations. The manager will be expected to steer growth, drive efficiency and ensure profitability of businesses of the farmers company. Other responsibilities include:

• Support the CP board of directors in driving a profitable dairy farmer businesses and enabling the farmers get the best value of their investments
• Ensure optimum utilization of available resource to ensure that all key departments are functioning with optimum results
• Prepare and submit monthly operations and financial reports to both the CP boards and the KDFF CP operations coordinator.
• Supervise and mentor all staff to ensure that their output is optimized.
• Lead in building linkages and partnerships with any other organizations and institutions that supports and address various farmers needs
• Implement appropriate dairy and financial management system that enhance efficiency and accuracy in operations and reporting respectively
• Support and advise the CP appropriately in terms of milk quality, quantity, sanitation in the dairy plant, and maintenance of the dairy equipment and enhance assurances of food safety and HACCP practices within the dairy chilling plants;
• Provide solid leadership and linkages with processors in ensuring that formal contracts exists in all transactions carried out by the CP with third parties;
• Performs additional related duties as assigned by the supervisor or CP executive board.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
The ideal candidate for this position will be a self-starting, innovative and assertive individual with an in-depth understanding of dairy industry systems gained from previous experience in managing dairy plant operations. The staff should have a bachelor’s degree in dairy technology, food science or equivalent and with 3 years of work experience in dairy sector or a Diploma in Dairy Technology or food sciences with over 5 years experience in managing a dairy plant. Other skills and abilities should include:

• Ability to type, utilize computer functions with special emphasis on data processing and financial analysis software; and ability to communicate effectively in English and Swahili;
• Experience working with smallholder dairy farmers is an added advantage
• Additional skills in accounting & business is another added advantage

Those who qualify should submit their applications and CVs to The Chairman Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation; P.O Box 682 – 30100 ELDORET by 31st of August indicating county preferences.