Category: Executive Office
Job Description
FINCA seeks a leader with experience in leading retail and
distribution businesses, especially in early stage growth and expansion and in
selling to Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) clientele to shepherd Bright Life, a distribution
venture with a social mission to enhance the basic quality of life of poor
clients through. This business’s first products focus on improving access to
small scale energy products in Uganda. In the coming months, and under the
leadership of the CEO, Bright Life will expand to offer
additional products and services and to cover surrounding countries in East
Africa where FINCA microfinance Subsidiaries operate.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES include the following. Other
duties may be assigned.
- Grow
Bright Life’s sales and reach while managing daily operations
- Continuously
grow sales, and expand geographic reach of Bright Life
- Ensure
that the sales model is sustainable, that operations are as efficient as
possible and that the end user client obtains the fairest possible value.
- Manage,
and recruit when necessary, logistics, sales, and finance staff
- Ensure
compliance with the Charter/bylaws of FINCA+.
- Develop
and ensure compliance with policies and procedures covering all aspects
of operations: transport and storage of inventory, employee compensation,
customer servicing logistics, etc.
- Implement
an inventory management MIS and oversee all logistical activities
- Negotiate
supplier agreements and maintain strong relationships with suppliers
partners
- Develop
and implement a cohesive merchandising strategy that includes marketing
activities, sales messaging, advertising, signage, product display
- Develop
and deliver sales and technical training to staff, agents and to
retailers
- Determine
criteria for recruiting retailers; provide ongoing training and support
to retailers
- Manage
financial performance. Maintain accurately and timely reporting to track
the performance and growth of the business to FINCA management
- Determine,
in coordination with DC-based management, sustainable compensation and
incentives for staff and retailers based on sound analysis of internal
data
- Ensure
adherence to FINCA’s mission and vision
- Ensure
high quality customer servicing to our clients, and maximize outreach to
new clients in a sustainable way
- Implement
best-practice corporate governance, management, organizational structure
and procedures, staff development, financial management, and risk
management principles
- Develop
strategy for expansion into new geographic areas
- Develop
strong, highly productive working relationships with FINCA Uganda staff
and representatives for purposes of coordinating on financing and sales
activities. Develop service level agreements (SLAs) and internal MOUs as
necessary. Maintain good coordination with FINCA’s Africa Hub office,
DC-headquarters, and locally governing bodies.
- Manage
supplier partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders in the
market: government agencies, testing facilities, World Bank/ UN Foundation
initiatives, donor agencies, etc.
- Mobilize
funding resources in form of debt capital, if necessary
- Prepare
and deliver board presentations, as necessary
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
- Manage
5 salaried staff and 25 commission-based sales agents initially.
- Manage
an organization of at least 100 field agents and staff within 2 years as
the business scales.
Job Requirements
- Minimum
7 years of proven experience growing retail sales
- Minimum
10 years of management experience in high energy environment where western
standards of accountability and timeliness are the norm.
- Must
have experience in supply chain management, sales, and
distribution. Candidate should be able to demonstrate success in growing
sales, reducing costs, and improving customer service, ideally in East
Africa
- Advanced
Degree in relevant field (sales, business, management, marketing, etc.)
- Comfortable
with all aspects of setting up and managing an organization, including
operations, accounting, marketing, risk/ internal controls, etc.
- Experience
launching, staffing, and managing new ventures to offer products and
services targeted at the bottom of the pyramid
- Familiarity
with microfinance (preferred, not required)
- Familiarity
with small scale solar products (preferred not required)
- Strong
partnership management and negotiation skills
Language Skills
- Fluency
in English Required
- Fluency
in local language(s) desired
Computer Skills
- Expert
in Microsoft Office. Able to generate financial models using Excel, able
to create board and investor presentations using Power Point
- Prior
experience using inventory management MIS
- Expert
in using email, both Lotus Notes and Microsoft Office
- Comfort
with Skype, WhatsApp and other communication technologies that offer real
time discussion across multiple time zones and loctions.
KEY DELIVERABLES
- Grow
Bright Life’s sales and meet sales targets
- Maintain
well-trained staff, sound operational foundation, appropriate controls,
and timely, accurate business reporting
- Set
program on a path to achieve break-even in less than 3 years
- Develop
strategic plan to scale up within region
- Report
to the Board
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Reports
to VP, Social Enterprise and Financial Innovation and to board members of
FINCA+.
- Key
partners: management and analytics team based in Washington DC, suppliers,
CEO and staff of FINCA Uganda, FINCA Africa Hub management and staff and
DC-based senior management staff
- Donors
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- Availability
to travel up to 50% of time within Uganda, and eventually within E. Africa
- Ability
to travel in economy class when traveling by air or rail.
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