The Program Manager contractor will serve as lead liaison between clients on-the-ground and the volunteer pool to deliver high quality food manufacturing expertise.  The Program manager will act as a representative of the company to ensure that the work is tightly aligned and connected to the company in representing its Corporate Partners. The company currently has a presence in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. The candidate will be required to work closely with the company team in East Africa covering primarily Uganda to implement the growth strategy in the country.

Apart from managing the flow of requirements and expertise between the company and clients, the Program Manager will be responsible for managing the pipeline of prospective projects and scoping them based on meetings with owners/managers. Through it all, he/she will “establish, develop and maintain ongoing relationship of trust and support with identified clients and enthusiastically represent the company and its Corporate Partners’ offerings to all potential and current clients.”  Therefore, a successful candidate will possess technical expertise, management acumen, and superb interpersonal and relationship building skills.

Responsibilities:

Client and Project Development

•  Along with the the company Headquarter Team, and the Uganda/Rwanda Sr. Program Manager, the Program Manager will help identify and source potential Clients.
•  Conduct initial meetings with previously identified local food processors to assess the potential for high quality and high impact projects.
• Conduct site visits to collect the necessary technical information (e.g., regarding ingredients, suppliers, packers, and processes) to make an informed decision about proceeding with communications.
• In the case of high-potential clients, conduct a thorough business assessment to identify priority needs and potential opportunities for client engagement.
• With client and the company’s input, draft a project scope document which articulates the expertise required, target timelines, etc.
• Facilitate alignment on project scope document and obtain sign-off from management and clients prior to commencement of projects. Obtain sign-offs for closure of projects.

Project Management

• Set up communication to deliver technical and business advice on food manufacturing equipment, materials, and processes between the company’s volunteers and the client
• Provide ongoing support of the remote knowledge transfer model and act as the bridge between the company expert volunteers and the processors in the life of the specific projects with strong focus on translating       between English and local languages without dilution of content.
•  Participate in calls with management and volunteer teams, ensuring effective communication and understanding of each other’s expectations.
•  Provide on-the-ground support for implementation of technical advice.
•  Support, organize and conduct training workshops for clients, as needed, on technical issues ranging from quality control, production process, operations, supply chain, safety and hygiene, working conditions (i.e.,       wages, safety), and proper environmental management.
•  Provide support to client in coordinating the business component of the program with the technical aspects
•  Track and report on project progress and highlight any issues that require support from management teams.
•  Manage data reporting processes
•  Drive data collection from the M&E framework
• Develop well written, cohesive reports that meet the informational needs of donors and investors.
• Upload data and project documentation onto the technology platform

Technical Assessment and Knowledge Transfer

• Identify and complete technical assessment of ingredients, packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and safety and quality management practices relevant to developing project scope.
• Identify and complete business assessment of marketing, sales, finance, and overall management practices as appropriate.
• Accurately translate technical and business requirements communicated by clients to volunteers.
• Work with the company’s volunteers to ensure that technical expertise on equipment, materials and processes as well as overall business management needs are communicated to clients without diluting the essence of recommendations.
• Provide direct support and guidance as appropriate to clients necessary to produce products to maximize capacity and optimize product quality and differentiation.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Candidates applying should possess the following requirements:
• Must have proper authorizations to work in Uganda and Rwanda
• B.Sc. in Food Science, Food Technology or related courses. Master’s degree preferred.
• Between 5 to 10 years working experience in food processing, preferably with at least 2 in manufacturing / plant.
• Must be both a Thinker and a Doer – role will require being both a strategic thinker and actually performing many big and small tasks.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) as well as worker safety, social and environmental sustainability.
• Highly developed interpersonal and relationship building skills
• High degree of comfort in working in unstructured environments
• Proven track record in providing technical solutions to food processors.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English required.
• Good computer skills in business software (Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint).