Our client seeks to hire a Product Controller who will effectively manage all elements of the product mix within the Brands to ensure the Brands continue to deliver against consumer expectations and trends whilst remaining a best-in-class class competitor in the Quick Service and Casual Dining restaurant categories.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement

• Primary responsibility for all procurement of goods and of some services that take place within the business
• Develop and maintain good professional relations with all stakeholders/suppliers to guarantee consistent supplies in the right quantities, competitive prices, and desired quality.
• Ensure that the Company acquires quality products timely and cost-effectively.
• Work closely with the planning team to project product demand, ensure consistency in demand planning modeling and ultimately ensure product availability.
• Work closely with the exports/imports team to ensure timely ordering, importation, and distribution of imported products, and ensure minimal stock outages at the distributor facility.
• Ensure that all locally sourced/manufactured Specified products meet stringent Famous Brands specifications.
• Work closely with local distribution partners to ensure competitive pricing of locally sourced products, identify alternate supplier partners and ensure on-time, in-full delivery of distributed products.
• Working with Operations Team, ensure that franchise partners procure Licensed products and Specified Products from identified local suppliers/manufacturers.
• Reduce and manage procurement and product risk within the business
• Handle all product-related queries from manufacturing partners, company stores, and Franchisees ensuring clear communication to the network on any products or recipe changes
• Work closely with the operations manager in running tenders, evaluating bids, and making recommendations, based on commercial and technical factors
• Ensure proper capturing of Purchase Orders/Invoices/Receipts for specified goods and services are entered/approved into the internal Workflow system.
• Ensure Company procurement, storage, and distribution expenses are within or below budget by continually looking for ways to bring down all departmental costs of procurement, and operating costs in the entire supply chain.
• Ensure collection of any receivables from distribution partners and prompt payment of any payables.
• Ensure effective and smooth relationships between stakeholders and the finance team.

Logistics & Warehousing

• Ensure Supply Chain/Warehousing/Logistics Food Safety procedures are in place, monitored, and maintained at the highest standard.
• Ensure timely delivery of supplies from suppliers to all restaurant outlets
• In liaison with the Finance team, ensure accurate inventory procedures are in place, inclusive of stock receiving, stock takes, stock rotation, stock dispatch, and reconciliations with suppliers and distribution/warehousing partners.
• Work closely with warehousing/logistics partners to ensure company assets, products, and trade secrets are always safeguarded.
• Work closely with warehousing, distribution & logistics partners to ensure a robust model for the competitive sourcing of local products from a variety of high-standard local suppliers.
• Closely work with operations teams within the business to reduce stocks and/or write-offs
• Work closely with the exports team to coordinate the plan, order, inspect, and import of Licensed products.
• Work with the finance team to calculate, confirm and cascade landing costs.

Product development

• Implement and manage the entire New Product Development (NDP) process; obtain products, product.
• Testing, price negotiations, stock level projections, forecasting, quality checks, and distribution
• Maintain supplier relations and collaboration in developing new product ideas and driving strategic price points and profit optimization
• Understand the Marketing strategy and align with all new product development and trends
• Working hand in hand with the marketing team to ensure a complete 18-month pipeline of new menu and promotional line items at any given point in time for the Brand
• Create a menu mix with the operations teams that will drive maximum profitability for the company and franchise partners whilst still adhering to consumer needs
• In conjunction with marketing make sure that brand gross profits are within allowable limits.
• Develop menus with the operations teams to ensure the Brands (Debonairs Pizza, Steers, Mugg & Bean) remain market relevant and in line with both local and global trends.
• Development of pricing strategies and accountability for the recipe integrity
• Work with the Branch Operations team to streamline outlet kitchen operations and ensure seamless production capabilities across the business.
• Stay abreast of national and international competitor product/innovation trends.
• Prepare presentations and present at Brand Conferences and Brand Strategy sessions

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management/ procurement /Purchasing and supply chain management.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the procurement side of the FMCG, Retail, or Restaurant industry.
• Must have experience presenting and selling your concepts and new product ideas.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Strong Project Management skills.
• Computer literate in all Microsoft packages.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to work across multiple products and brands at the same time.
• Fanatical attention to detail.
• Work on your own without supervision.
• Willing to travel both locally & internationally.

How to Apply

If you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualification and experience; please send your CV only quoting the job title on the email subject (Product Controller – FMCG) to jobs@corporatestaffing.co.ke on or before 22nd August 2023.