Career Opportunity

Position: Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

A Zambian agricultural company that conducts seed research, production, marketing, and distribution of high-quality and adaptable seeds of major agricultural crops to Zambian farmers and international customers seeks the services of a highly motivated Chief Operating Officer to join the senior management team.

Job Overview:

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is accountable for all operating business segments of the company. This role requires a growth-oriented and entrepreneurial individual who can provide leadership, management, and vision to ensure proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems are in place. This position is crucial for effectively growing the organization, increasing operating efficiency, and maintaining financial strength. The COO accomplishes this through a respectful, constructive, and energetic style, guided by the company’s objectives.

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Operations Officer (COO) will design and implement policies to promote the company culture and vision, ensuring the business stays on track. The COO is a highly skilled and experienced operational manager, a strategic thought leader of the organization, and must exhibit a harmonious blend of visionary leadership, operational and financial acumen, and agile adaptability.

Required Minimum Education/Training:

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree agriculture is required; a Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
School certificate, at least 5 ‘O’ levels or the equivalent, credit or better
Required professional subscriptions are a must.

Required Minimum Work Experience:

Minimum 10 years of professional experience with at least 5 years of senior management and leadership experience in a high-performing and credible organization.
In-depth understanding of agricultural crop production, preferably with multi-year experience and a network in the international seed business.

Desirable Work Experience, Skills, and Personal Qualities:

Deep knowledge of strategic finance with experience managing growing organizations.
Proven ability to leverage financial and operational metrics to drive organizational decisions and achieve strategic objectives.
Exceptional integrity, with the ability to stay true to one’s cause and purpose while incorporating the opinions, needs, and feedback of others.
Creativity and flexibility with an ability to thrive in a fast-paced and changing environment.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail and follow-through.
Self-directed individual who leads projects to identify and implement solutions with team input.
Demonstrated strong work ethic, outstanding customer service approach, experience in leading and managing people, and exceptional interpersonal skills that lead to building relationships across the organization.
Fully proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software and experience with Windows-based programs.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to train and work with operational personnel at sites.
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, often under pressure, and be flexible to changes in priorities