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General Manager

Ramco Group

Nairobifull time~KES 400k – 700k/mo4d ago

Quick Take

The Role

Drive daily operational performance and strategic execution across all business units as the CEO's right hand, balancing P&L management, team leadership, and stakeholder engagement.

You Need

10+ years progressive management experience with 5+ years in senior leadership, proven ability to develop and execute growth strategies, and strong cross-functional team leadership in manufacturing or diversified business.

You Get

Competitive salary (KES 400–700k/mo), direct influence on company direction, exposure to multi-unit operations and C-suite dynamics, and opportunity to shape organizational culture and profitability.

Job Description

Role Overview

Ramco Group is seeking a dynamic and results-driven General Manager to provide overall operational leadership across all business units and departments. Reporting directly to the CEO, the General Manager will be the principal driver of day-to-day business performance, ensuring that all activities align with the strategic direction, policies, and mandates established by the Board of Directors.

This is a senior leadership role that demands a commercially astute professional who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational execution. The ideal candidate will champion a culture of accountability, ethical conduct, and high performance while steering the organization toward sustainable growth and profitability.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the implementation of strategic plans in collaboration with the CEO to ensure long-term business sustainability and growth.
  • Communicate and champion the organization's vision, mission, and strategic direction across all departments.
  • Analyze daily operations to evaluate business performance, identify cost reduction opportunities, and recommend policy or process improvements.
  • Oversee the implementation of operational plans, policies, and objectives to maximize ROI and increase overall productivity.
  • Foster a corporate culture grounded in ethical practices, integrity, and alignment with company values.
  • Establish clear departmental responsibilities and oversee functional operations in liaison with respective heads of departments.
  • Oversee multiple business unit operations including sales performance, growth targets, profitability, and cost control.
  • Ensure full compliance with all applicable Kenyan laws, regulations, and industry standards.
  • Monitor business operations to safeguard assets and optimize resource utilization.
  • Review and approve reports submitted by functional heads and provide actionable recommendations.
  • Drive implementation of innovative sales and marketing strategies aimed at revenue growth and client satisfaction.
  • Monitor progress against revenue and booking targets and mentor the sales team to ensure achievement of set goals.
  • Support and participate in negotiations with key local and international clients, and maintain regular engagement with the top 10 clients to ensure retention.
  • Recommend annual operational and capital budgets to the Board for approval and manage expenditure within approved limits.
  • Prepare and present periodic performance reports to the CEO and Board of Directors.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Demonstrate at least 10 years of progressive management experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior or executive leadership role within a manufacturing, production, or diversified business group.
  • Proven ability to develop and execute business strategies that deliver measurable revenue growth and operational efficiency.
  • Ability to lead, motivate, and hold accountable cross-functional teams across multiple departments and business units.
  • Demonstrated experience managing P&L responsibilities, preparing budgets, and presenting financial performance reports to boards or senior stakeholders.
  • Track record of building and maintaining high-value client relationships and leading commercial negotiations at an executive level.
  • Strong capability to interpret operational data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable decisions.
  • Experience ensuring regulatory compliance and upholding governance standards in a complex business environment.
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Engineering, or a related field; a Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) will be a significant advantage.
  • Professional membership with a recognized management or industry body is an added advantage.
Salary & Benefits

The salary for this role is competitive and commensurate with experience, estimated in the range of KES 400,000 – KES 700,000 per month. Ramco Group offers a comprehensive compensation package reflective of the seniority and scope of this position. Specific details will be discussed during the interview process.

Who Should Apply

Ideal Candidate: A seasoned business leader with a broad operational background, ideally within a manufacturing, industrial, or diversified group setting in Kenya or the broader East African region. You are commercially driven, people-focused, and comfortable operating at both a strategic and operational level. You have a proven track record of delivering business growth and can demonstrate strong stakeholder management skills.

Do NOT apply if: You have fewer than 8 years of management experience, have not previously managed multi-departmental or multi-unit operations, or are uncomfortable with direct accountability to a CEO and Board of Directors. This is not an entry-level or mid-management role.

How to Apply
  • Prepare an updated CV clearly highlighting your leadership experience, key achievements, and business impact in previous roles.
  • Write a cover letter addressed to the Human Resources department at Ramco Group, detailing why you are the right fit for this position.
  • Submit your application through the Ramco Group official careers page or the job platform where this posting was listed.
  • Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews. If you do not hear back within 4 weeks of applying, consider your application unsuccessful for this round.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • Minimum 10 years progressive management experience with 5+ years in senior/executive leadership
  • Proven track record developing and executing business strategies that deliver measurable revenue growth
  • Experience managing multiple business units, departments, or functional teams simultaneously
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and hold cross-functional teams accountable
  • Knowledge of Kenyan legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements

Nice to Have

  • Experience in manufacturing, production, or diversified business groups
  • Track record of cost reduction and operational efficiency improvements
  • Client relationship management and negotiation experience with enterprise accounts
  • Board-level reporting and strategic communication experience

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Competitive mid-to-senior management salary in Nairobi market

The KES 400–700k range reflects typical General Manager compensation for established companies in Kenya, with variation based on company size, profitability, and candidate experience. Manufacturing and diversified groups often pay at the higher end due to operational complexity.

About Ramco Group

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Ramco Group is a diversified business conglomerate operating multiple business units in Kenya, with interests spanning manufacturing and production sectors. The group is established enough to have a formal board structure and CEO-led hierarchy, suggesting scale and stability in the East African market. Working at Ramco offers exposure to multi-unit operations management and the opportunity to shape strategy across a portfolio of businesses.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Walk us through a strategic plan you developed and executed in a previous role. What was the business context, your specific contribution, and what measurable results did you achieve?

  • 2

    How do you typically balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational execution? Give us an example of when you had to toggle between board-level thinking and departmental problem-solving.

  • 3

    Ramco Group operates multiple business units with different profit centers. Describe your experience managing competing priorities and resource allocation across diverse teams. How do you ensure accountability?

  • 4

    Tell us about a time you identified and drove a significant cost reduction or operational efficiency initiative. What was the process, and what was the bottom-line impact?

  • 5

    Describe your approach to fostering an ethical, high-performance culture. How do you communicate and reinforce organizational values across departments, and how do you handle ethical breaches?

Application Tips

  • Quantify your impact: include specific examples of revenue growth (%), cost savings, operational improvements, and P&L ownership in your CV and cover letter.

  • Emphasize multi-unit and cross-functional leadership: highlight experience managing sales teams, production/manufacturing units, and departments reporting to you simultaneously.

  • Demonstrate strategic AND operational credibility: show evidence of both board-level strategy work and hands-on problem-solving to prove you're not just a thinker or just a doer.

  • Call out Kenyan market knowledge: if you have experience navigating Kenyan regulations, tax, labor law, or local business dynamics, make this explicit—it's a genuine differentiator.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Operations Director or Head of Operations in manufacturing or diversified business
Business Unit Manager or Senior Business Unit Head overseeing P&L
Regional Director or Multi-site Manager managing multiple locations/units
Senior functional role (VP Sales, VP Operations, VP Finance) progressing into P&L responsibility

Where this leads

CEO or Managing Director of Ramco Group or parent company
Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) if Ramco expands into a larger holding structure
Non-executive Board Director or Chair roles in manufacturing/diversified groups
Consultant or interim executive leadership in turnarounds or growth situations

Skills & Keywords

general manager jobs in kenyasenior management jobs nairobiramco group careersoperations director kenyabusiness management jobs kenyamanufacturing management jobsexecutive jobs kenyaproduction manager jobs kenya

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • Clear reporting line to CEO with Board visibility: you'll have direct influence on strategy and governance, not buried in middle management.
  • Explicit focus on culture, ethics, and values: the organization is intentional about leadership philosophy, not just pushing numbers.
  • Multi-unit operational scope: exposure to diversified business models and cross-unit synergies adds skill-building and career optionality.
  • Competitive salary range for the level: KES 400–700k is solid for a General Manager in Nairobi and reflects seniority and market respect.

Watch Out

  • Job description cuts off mid-sentence at the end ('Demonstrated experience managi...'), suggesting incomplete or hastily prepared posting—clarify full expectations with HR before applying.
  • No mention of benefits (health insurance, pension, performance bonus structure), which is unusual for a KES 400–700k role—ask about total compensation package early.
  • Heavy emphasis on compliance and cost control alongside growth targets could signal a turnaround or tight margin business—understand the strategic context and realistic growth outlook.

A Day in the Life

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Your week at Ramco Group starts Monday with a pre-Board strategy sync with the CEO, reviewing last month's performance dashboards from each business unit and preparing talking points for the Board meeting later that week. Tuesday and Wednesday involve a mix of departmental check-ins—a sales target review with the commercial team, a production efficiency huddle with the operations head, and an HR sync on organizational changes. You approve several capex requests, challenge two functional heads on their quarterly reports, and spend time with your top 10 client relationships via calls and one in-person visit. Thursday is Board day: you present performance against plan, field questions, and champion a new cost-optimization initiative. Friday ends with a strategy session on next quarter's revenue targets, mentoring a high-potential operations manager, and signing off on the monthly management accounts before submission to finance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a General Manager at Ramco Group?

You need at least 10 years of progressive management experience with a minimum of 5 years in a senior or executive leadership role, ideally in manufacturing, production, or a diversified business group. You must demonstrate a proven ability to develop and execute strategies that drive revenue growth and operational efficiency, and strong cross-functional team leadership.

Is the General Manager role at Ramco Group remote or office-based?

The job posting does not specify remote work options; the role is likely office-based in Nairobi given the emphasis on day-to-day operational leadership, departmental engagement, and client meetings. Confirm the work arrangement and flexibility expectations during the interview.

How much does a General Manager earn at Ramco Group?

The salary range is KES 400,000–700,000 per month, which is competitive for a General Manager role in Nairobi. The exact offer within this range will depend on your experience, track record, and negotiation, as well as company-specific factors like business performance.

What are the career growth opportunities after this General Manager role?

This role is a natural stepping stone to CEO, Managing Director, or Group COO positions, and also positions you well for Board-level roles or C-suite appointments in other large organizations. The multi-unit exposure and strategic responsibility make you a competitive candidate for senior leadership across Kenya's business sector.

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