Senior Manager, Operations Specialist at Food For Education

Key Responsibilities:

Expansion & Strategic Growth

• Develop and execute a robust expansion strategy to scale kitchen operations across Kenya in alignment with the company’s growth targets.
• Oversee the full cycle of expansion projects, from site selection, financial feasibility studies, and construction to launch and operational handover.
• Ensure strong cross-functional alignment with all departments, including Finance, Business Operations, Technical Operations, Business Intelligence and Utilisation, Tech, through consistent communication and collaboration.
• Continuously analyze unit economics, monitor performance metrics, and adapt expansion plans to ensure cost efficiency and sustainability.
• Generate reports with actionable insights to inform leadership decisions on scaling models for different regions.
• Act as a key business partner to the COO, providing strategic updates and insights into the overall expansion roadmap.

Operations & Performance Management

• Lead the operational execution of growth initiatives, including the launch of new kitchen sites and support the onboarding of schools and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the COO to establish a financial reporting framework for all expansion projects, ensuring transparency, accountability, and budget adherence.
• Build a strong data and analytics infrastructure to optimize decision-making and operational efficiencies.
• Identify risks to expansion projects and implement proactive mitigation strategies, including adjusting timelines, reallocating resources, or modifying project scopes as necessary.
• Oversee and manage contractual relationships with vendors, contractors, and other third parties involved in expansion efforts.

Production Centres Operations

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to rural and urban kitchen teams across various regions.
• Ensure structured hiring, staffing, and training of kitchen teams to guarantee smooth operations pre-launch and post-launch.
• Continuously improve operational workflows, addressing inefficiencies and optimizing cost per meal in partnership with the finance team.
• Oversee inventory management systems and controls to ensure adequate stock levels while minimizing waste and inefficiencies.
• Develop and implement frameworks for continuous monitoring and evaluation of rural and urban kitchen performance.

Facility Management & Repairs & Maintenance

• Oversee all facility management operations to ensure that existing and new kitchens meet operational and regulatory standards.
• Develop and implement proactive maintenance schedules to reduce equipment downtime and ensure optimal performance of kitchen facilities.
• Ensure prompt resolution of maintenance issues, including equipment failures, infrastructure repairs, and compliance concerns.
• Prepare and manage facility maintenance budgets, ensuring cost efficiency and effective resource allocation.
• Lead the facility management team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Production & Systems Strengthening

• Onboarding & Team Development: Implement structured onboarding for the production team with field immersion, coaching, and tracking frameworks to ensure value.
• Team Meetings & Cadence: Review and redesign team meeting structures to reduce redundancy and improve clarity and engagement at all levels (kitchen, associate, senior associate).
• Role Alignment & Team Structure: Map current team structures (Planning & Production, School Management/Logistics), redefine roles and KPIs, and establish clear reporting lines and escalation paths.
• Process Refinement: Streamline core workflows (e.g., dispatch, delivery, stock management) through SOP reviews, visual process guides, and alignment workshops with cross-functional teams.
• Kitchen Audits & Classification: Conduct structured kitchen audits covering hygiene, staffing, layout, and compliance. Classify kitchens using a Red-Amber-Green system to guide targeted support and interventions.
• Performance Tracking: Integrate audit results and onboarding feedback into quarterly reviews to inform leadership on operational health and readiness for scale.

Desired Candidate Profile

• At least 10 years of relevant experience with a proven track record in a similar role. 
• An undergraduate degree in Engineering, Management, Business, or any other relevant technical field.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong project management and presentation skills are critical.
• Detail-oriented and with strong execution skills. Strategy experience is also required.
• Solution-oriented, able to think on their feet, and quickly pivot.
• Independent-minded and can thrive in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
• Ability to handle multiple projects at the same time.
• Willingness and ability to handle any job assigned under your scope of work.