WE ARE HIRING

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc (Illovo Malawi / the group) was incorporated in Malawi as a private company (The Sugar Corporation of Malawi (SUCOMA) Limited) on 31 May 1965 and then converted to a public company on 15 September 1997. Illovo Group Holdings Limited (Illovo) through Sucoma Holdings Limited, holds 76% of the issued share capital of Illovo Malawi with the balance of the shares being held by the public and other institutional investors. The ultimate holding company is Associated British Foods plc (ABF), in the United Kingdom

Illovo Sugar Malawi is the country’s biggest producer of sugar and plays a significant role within the Malawian economy. It
has developed significant agricultural and milling assets at the Dwangwa Sugar Estate in the central region in Nkhotakota and
at the Nchalo Sugar Estate situated in the south of the country in Chikwawa. In a normal season, Illovo Malawi grows almost two million tons of sugarcane on both estates which, combined with an average of 500 000 tons of cane grown by Malawian growers, enables the production of 250 thousand tons of sugar, on average.

The Dwangwa factory produces refined and brown sugar while the Nchalo factory produces brown and value-added speciality sugars. Both operations also produce molasses, a by-product of the sugar manufacturing process, which is currently sold as a fermentation raw material to the two fuel alcohol distilleries in Malawi.

Illovo Malawi is the country’s largest private sector employer providing employment for over 9 000 people directly and an
additional 5000 people through its supply chain. The company further supports almost 8000 smallholders farmers through various small holder schemes. Illovo Sugar Malawi is a major contributor to the Malawian tax collections through direct and indirect tax.

AT THE HEART OF THE ROLE

• Lead the Illovo Sugar Malawi business and engage effectively with local stakeholders such as government, growers and society. The role holder will need to be skilled at building effective relationships, able to engage confidently and apply good judgement in deciding on the priorities including their value both now and in the future
• Agility is central to this role; the MD will operate in a complex and uncertain operating context, and will be required to demonstrate resilience and leadership in response to changes in market dynamics, fluctuating prices, high inflation, regulatory changes, climate change.
• Develop strong strategic direction and alignment through the Illovo Sugar Malawi vision, strategy, values and purpose with a view towards long-term growth, development and sustainability while ensuring safety is a key priority.
• Drive a safety culture and maintain high safety standards and promote a safety-first culture is crucial. The MD prioritises employee welfare and ensures compliance with safety regulations.
• Drive business performance to full potential in terms of realising commercial opportunity and operating performance.
• Own P&L and budget and deliver against revenue and cost targets
• Evaluate ones for growth, such as expanding into new markets, diversifying product offerings, or investing in new technologies that enhance production efficiency.
• Lead and empower an effective leadership team and foster a culture of accountability to enhance overall performance.
• Demonstrate effective leadership through the empowerment of teams cascaded to frontline to ensure ownership. Encouraging autonomy and fostering a culture of accountability can enhance overall performance.
• The MD fosters an environment of open communication, ensuring that employees at all levels feel informed and engaged. This includes sharing the company’s vision, goals, and challenges.
• The ability to communicate effectively during crises is vital. The MD should have a clear crisis communication plan in place to manage challenges such as supply chain disruptions or community relations issues.
• Invest in employee development and succession development will help build a skilled workforce that can adapt to new challenges. The MD should encourage a culture of continuous learning — reskilling and upskilling.
• Focus on sustainability through environmentally sustainable practices particularly those that reduce environmental impact, promote biodiversity, and enhance resource efficiency.
• Drive operational excellence through efficiency improvements such as debottlenecking the factories and improving yield, optimising supply chains, and reducing waste.
• The MD should remain informed on industry trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements that can impact the organisation. Engaging with industry networks and participating in forums can provide valuable insights.
• Able to build strong, collaborative relationships across a range of stakeholders, within and across ABF Sugar and with ABF.

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Industry Experience
  • Background in Agriculture or Food Production: Experience in the Agricultural sector, particularly in sugar production, is an advantage. Familiarity with farming practices, crop management, and the sugar supply chain will enable the MD to make informed decisions and understand the challenges faced by farmers and production teams.
  • Understanding of Manufacturing Processes: Knowledge of manufacturing operations, including production efficiency, quality
  • control, and safety standards, is essential for overseeing plant operations and driving improvements.

• Leadership Experience
  • Executive Leadership Roles: Previous experience in senior leadership positions, such as Director, within a manutacturing or agricultural company can provide the MD with the necessary leadership skills and strategic thinking abilities.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Experience leading cross-functional teams can enhance the MD’s ability to collaborate with various departments, including operations, finance, marketing, and human resources.

• Strategic Planning and Business Development
  • Experience in Strategic Planning: Proven experience in developing and executing strategic plans is vital for setting the organization’s direction and achieving long-term goals.
  • Market Expansion and Business Development: Experience in identifying growth opportunities, entering new markets, and developing new product lines can be advantageous for positioning the company for growth in a competitive landscape.
• Financial Acumen
  • Financial Management Experience: A strong background in financial management, including budgeting, financial analysis and cost control, is critical for ensuring the organisation’s profitability and sustainability.
  • Investment and Capital Management: Experience managing investments and understanding the financial implications of capital projects will help the MD make informed decisions regarding resource allocation.
• Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge
  • Understanding of Regulatory Frameworks in Malawi: Experience working within regulatory frameworks relevant to the agricultural and food production sectors, such as environmental regulations, trade laws, labour laws, and safety standards, is crucial for
    ensuring compliance and mitigating legal risks.
  • Corporate Governance and Risk Management Experience: Familiarity with Malawi Listing requirements and corporate risk management practices can help the MD identify and address potential risks related to operations, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Experience in Community, Relations: The MD should experience engaging with have local communities, government agencies, and with these groups is essential for addressing social responsibility and sustainability issues.
  • Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Skills: Experience in negotiating agreements, resolving conflicts, and managing stakeholder expectations is important for maintaining positive relationships and fostering collaboration.
• Change Management
  • Experience Leading, Change Initiatives: The ability to lead and manage change effectively is crucial, especially in a dynamic environment where market conditions, regulations, technologies are constantly evolving.
  • Cultural Transformation Experience: Familiarity with organizational culture change initiatives can help the MD promote a positive work environment and foster employee engagement.

• Bachelors’ degree at a minimum, with post-graduate qualification in Business Management or equivalent advantageous
• 10 to 15 years’ experience at general management level, leading a business or a function, in a large and complex organisation

Desirable:

• Direct experience of working in Malawi.
• Corporate governance of a public listed company in Malawi.

Practicalities

• Based in Blantyre, Malawi
• Frequent travel – Local and international

Please send your application letters together with detailed CV with copies of relevant certificates, traceable referees and National ID to:

The HR Director
Private Bag 580
LIMBE
E-mail: MWcorporatehr@illovo.co.za

Closing date for receiving application letters is 15th November 2024 and only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

“Sugar is our business; people are our sweetest asset”.