Company Overview:

Pharo Ventures, part of the Pharo Foundation, is building commercially sustainable businesses across East Africa to create thousands of jobs and generate inclusive economic growth. Pharo Foundation was created in 2011 and began as a grant-making charity, later moving into directly running projects in education, water, and productivity.

In 2019, Pharo Ventures was launched as the for-profit social enterprise arm, designed to complement the Foundation’s philanthropic work. Its purpose is to create sustainable businesses in Africa that generate jobs, build skills, and add value locally.

One of their flagship ventures is the Edible Oil Plant in Ethiopia - a state-of-the-art manufacturing and export business that processes oilseeds into crude edible oil for the international market. 

They are now looking for a General Manager to take full operational and commercial responsibility of the Edible Oil Plant, with approximately $5 million in annual revenue. The GM will lead all core functions of the plant including production, sourcing, logistics, quality, sales, and finance. The ideal candidate is a hands-on business leader with strong operational capabilities, commercial insight, and a proven track record in running autonomous, export-oriented manufacturing operations. 

Role Detail: 
Location: The plant is located in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia (2 hours from Addis)
Reporting to: Country Director Pharo Foundation & Pharo Ventures 
Direct Reports: Head of Agri Business, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance & Admin 
Functional relationships: Head of People and Culture, Finance Manager, Operations Director, Executive committee 
 
As the first major venture under Pharo Ventures in Ethiopia, this role will play a key leadership role in shaping the operational and commercial model for future businesses. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Strategic and Commercial Leadership 
• Serve as the overall business leader of the plant and drive it toward profitability, efficiency, and scale. 
• Own the P&L and manage all commercial decisions including pricing, supplier relationships, export contracts, and customer negotiations. 
• Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives across sourcing, production, sales, and logistics. 
• Ensure compliance of the business with all local and international standards. 
• Scaling the business for future investment/expansion - develop a 3–5-year roadmap for growth, including potential vertical integration or new product lines. 

Operational Execution: 

• Lead end-to-end operations: procurement of oilseeds, plant production, warehousing, quality assurance, and export logistics. 
• Ensure full compliance with international health and safety, environmental, and quality standards. 
• Collaborate closely with the Country Director and functional leads at Pharo Ventures for group-level strategic alignment. 
• Be responsible for capital investments, plant upgrades, or new technology adoption. 

Sales & Market Expansion 

• Analyse global demand, pricing trends, and competitor activity in edible oils. 
• Stay updated on international trade regulations, tariffs, and export incentives. 
• Identify new markets and buyers and develop entry strategies. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with local and international buyers. 
• Oversee outbound logistics and sales of crude oil in bulk/flexi tanks. 
• Ensure plant utilisation aligns with market demand and profitability targets. 

Commercial & Financial Oversight 

• Pricing Strategy: Set competitive export pricing based on market dynamics and cost structures. 
• Profitability Analysis: Evaluate margins, cost efficiencies, and ROI on export deals. 
• Risk Management: Mitigate risks related to currency fluctuations, geopolitical shifts, and supply disruptions. 
• Oversee financial operations with support from the Pharo Ventures finance team for group compliance, audits, and reporting. 
• Manage a lean support team (HR, Admin, and Accounting) focused on execution—not policy design or structural strategy. 

Team Leadership 

• Build and develop a high-performance team across all departments. 
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, efficiency, and commercial excellence. 
• Manage staffing, performance, and succession planning in collaboration with the People & Culture team. 

Qualifications and Requirements 

• Minimum 8 years of experience in operations or general management in manufacturing or agro-processing sectors; at least 3 years in senior leadership roles. 
• Proven experience managing an export-oriented operation in Ethiopia or East Africa. 
• Strong understanding of manufacturing P&L management, supply chain, sales, and quality systems. 
• Strong command of English is required, as the role involves collaboration with international teams, stakeholders, and buyers 
• Commercial mindset and negotiation skills with a clear focus on financial sustainability. 
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in resource-constrained environments. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Agribusiness, Business Administration, or related field; MBA or equivalent preferred. 

What we offer 

• The opportunity to lead and scale a key business unit within a mission-driven venture group. 
• A dynamic work environment with autonomy and decision-making authority. 
• Access to strategic support and senior functional expertise from the Pharo Ventures team. 
• A competitive pay with a performance based incentive structure 

 
Application Procedure 
JobnetAfrica is the exclusive recruitment partner for this vacancy and will be the first point of contact. If you’re interested, please submit your application via the link below.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to work on a case study and provide contactable references.