Group HR Manager

Job Purpose

Provide strategic and operational leadership of the Human Resources function across the Group. The role is responsible for aligning human capital strategy with business objectives, strengthening a performance-driven culture, ensuring compliance, and building scalable HR systems to support manufacturing, distribution, and retail growth across all entities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a Group-wide HR strategy aligned to growth, operational efficiency, and expansion across East Africa.
• Advise senior leadership on workforce planning, organization design, and change management.
• Lead recruitment strategy for technical, operational, and commercial roles, especially in manufacturing environments.
• Build succession pipelines for critical roles across plants in all key units.
• Drive a high-performance culture through structured performance management systems (KPIs, appraisals, incentives).
• Embed values of accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Manage employee relations, disciplinary processes, and union engagement.
• Ensure full compliance with Kenyan labor laws, health and safety standards, and manufacturing regulations.
• Oversee payroll management, HRIS systems, and employee data integrity.
• Standardize HR policies, procedures, and reporting frameworks across all entities.
• Design and implement training programs focused on technical skills, leadership development, and productivity improvement.
• Support frontline supervisors and plant managers with people management skills.
• Optimize workforce productivity across manufacturing plants, logistics fleets, and retail/distribution networks.
• Lead cost control initiatives related to manpower, overtime, and workforce utilization.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management or related field (mandatory)
• Master’s Degree in Strategic Management, Leadership, or MBA (added advantage)
• Minimum 7+ years’ HR experience, with at least 5 years in manufacturing.
• Proven experience managing multi-site or group HR operations.
• Strong knowledge of HR systems (HRIS), payroll management, and labor laws.

Competencies

• Firm, decisive leadership with balanced people-centric judgment.
• Strong business acumen with ability to link HR to operational performance.
• High integrity and ability to handle sensitive organizational matters.
• Excellent stakeholder management across factory, field, and corporate levels.
• Data-driven decision-making and reporting capability.

Ideal Profile

• Experience in manufacturing, logistics, or FMCG environments preferred.
• Capable of managing complexity across multiple companies and locations.
• Able to build structures while maintaining agility in a growing organization.