Who We Are

We are Highlands, a vibrant and fast-growing beverage company located in the heart of Nyeri County, surrounded by the serene highlands of Mount Kenya. Our location not only inspires the purity and quality of our products but also offers our team a unique blend of purpose-driven work and a high quality of life.

Join us in Nyeri and be part of a company where innovation meets nature, and where your work truly makes an impact.

Our Purpose & Promise

We create refreshing drinks that Kenyans love and can afford. Our mission is to refresh our consumers with great-tasting, high-quality and affordable beverages where and when they want. Our commitment to our employees makes us great—every day, we play as a team and strive to become better in all we do.

The Purpose of the role

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for the strategic development and operational execution of all core business functions including manufacturing, engineering, logistics, warehousing, and supply chain. The COO drives operational efficiency, innovation, cost optimization, and customer-centric performance while ensuring alignment with the company’s strategy, risk management framework, and people-first values.

Detailed responsibilities include:

1. Strategy Development & Execution

• Co-develop and implement the company’s long-term strategic plan with the CEO.
• Translate strategy into operational roadmaps with clear milestones and execution metrics.
• Lead capital projects, operational transformation, and scale-up programs.

2. Operational Oversight

• Lead daily operations across manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and warehouse management.
• Champion operational excellence programs (Lean, TPM, Six Sigma) to drive productivity, cost reduction, and quality improvement.
• Ensure efficient use of resources to support volume growth, product diversification, and customer satisfaction.

3. Supply Chain and Logistics Leadership

• Build a responsive and agile supply chain to support On-Time In-Full (OTIF) performance.
• Improve warehouse utilization, inventory accuracy, and cost-to-serve metrics.
• Establish robust systems for procurement efficiency, demand planning, and route-to-market effectiveness.

4. Engineering & CapEx Management

• Oversee engineering design, asset reliability, and maintenance programs.
• Drive plant automation, digitization, and capital project delivery on time and within budget.

5. Risk Management & Compliance

• Lead enterprise risk assessments across operational areas and implement mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with HSEQ (Health, Safety, Environment & Quality) standards, labor laws, and regulatory frameworks.

6. Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Implement performance management systems to monitor key operational KPIs in real-time.
• Lead cross-functional performance reviews, data analytics, and cost-transformation programs.
• Institutionalize a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

7. People & Culture Leadership

• build and empower a high-performing team aligned to business goals and company values.
• Lead succession planning, coaching, and capability development for operations leadership.
• Role-model and reinforce a people-first culture that emphasizes collaboration, ownership, and agility.

8. Management & Governance

• Support the CEO in all aspects of the day-to-day financial and strategic management of the company.
• Support the CEO and the Board in all aspects of the governance of the company.

9. External Engagement

• Represent the company with key stakeholders including suppliers, government bodies, and industry forums.
• Manage vendor relationships and oversee contract negotiations for operational services.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The following KPIs will be used to evaluate performance:

• Operational Efficiency -Plant Utilization Rate
• Manufacturing Cost per Unit - Year-on-year reduction
• OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
• Supply Chain & Logistics - OTIF (On-Time In-Full) Delivery
• Inventory Accuracy
• Cost-to-Serve - Reduction YoY
• People & Culture - Employee Engagement Score (Ops)
• Leadership Bench Strength (Ops) - No of successors per key role
• Risk & Compliance - HSEQ Compliance Score
• Zero Major Incidents - No regulatory penalties
• Strategic Execution - % of Strategic Initiatives Delivered on Time
• Financial Impact - Operational Cost Savings Realized
• CAPEX ROI - Achieve planned ROI within agreed timelines

Education, and Experience and Competencies

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Professional certification in Operations (e.g., Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, Lean Manufacturing) is an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations leadership roles, with at least 5 years in a senior or executive-level position.
• Proven leadership experience within the FMCG industry, preferably in beverages or high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success in scaling operations, leading end-to-end supply chains.
• Experience in digital transformation, automation, and operational technology adoption is highly desirable.
• Strong track record in leading cross-functional teams, building leadership bench strength, and embedding performance cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into execution while balancing short-term goals with long-term growth.
• Strong analytical and financial skills, with experience in P&L ownership, cost management, and capital expenditure planning.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, engineering principles, logistics, warehousing, and operational best practices.

Technical Competencies Required

1. Manufacturing & Production Management - Strong grasp of batch and continuous processing, GMP, automation, and capacity scaling in FMCG.
2. Supply Chain Optimization - Deep understanding of supply chain dynamics, demand planning, procurement, and logistics best practices.
3. Lean & Operational Excellence - Proven experience in implementing Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement frameworks.
4. Engineering Project Management - Expertise in CAPEX lifecycle, asset management, plant maintenance systems, and process control.
5. Risk & Compliance - Ability to assess operational risk and lead HSEQ, ESG, and legal compliance in complex environments.
6. Financial Acumen - Strong P&L orientation, cost modelling, budget planning, and ROI analysis.
7. Tech-Enabled Operations - Familiarity with ERP, MES, digital dashboards, IoT, and automation in manufacturing and logistics.

Behavioral Competencies Aligned to Company Values

Our leadership philosophy is grounded in the following values and behaviors:

• Improve (Value-Creator) - Demonstrates a continuous improvement mindset; proactively identifies opportunities to innovate and enhance performance, cost, and quality.
• Teamwork (Team-Player) - Builds cross-functional collaboration, fosters inclusive teams, and shares accountability for both wins and challenges.
• Agile (Pacesetter) - Acts with urgency, adapts to market changes, and leads problem-solving with a solutions-first attitude.
• Leadership (Path-Finder) - Inspires others with a clear vision, develops talent, and empowers team members to drive individual and collective performance.
• Integrity (Truth-Sayer) - Holds self and others accountable; acts transparently and consistently, upholding company standards even under pressure.