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Country Manager - Kenya

Kofa

Kofa

Nairobi County, Kenya
Posted on Dec 6, 2024
The Country Manager – Kenya will lead Kofa’s entry into the Kenyan market, managing all aspects of business setup, initial operations, and growth. This role combines strategic leadership, operational execution, and business development to ensure Kofa’s success in Kenya. The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, resourceful, and well-versed in Kenya’s business and regulatory environment.

About Kofa

Kofa is a pioneering leader in renewable energy solutions, committed to displacing fossil fuels with clean, efficient, and sustainable energy. Through our innovative battery swap network, we are transforming energy accessibility across Africa and enabling a cleaner future for businesses and communities. With Sub-Saharan Africa’s energy market valued at over $30 billion annually, Kofa is expanding into Kenya and seeks a dynamic Country Manager to establish and grow our operations, oversee market entry, and drive the adoption of our battery swap solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Market Entry and Setup
  • Develop and execute a strategic plan to establish Kofa’s presence in Kenya, including regulatory compliance, market analysis, and localization of offerings.
  • Register the business, secure necessary licenses, and ensure compliance with Kenyan energy policies and environmental standards.
  • Identify and secure operational infrastructure, including locations for the initial battery swap stations.
Partnership Development
  • Build strategic relationships with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, NGOs, and other partners to promote Kofa’s solutions.
  • Negotiate agreements with key suppliers, energy providers, landlords and distribution partners to establish a reliable supply chain and distribution network.
  • Represent Kofa when required in high-level discussions with stakeholders
Swap Station Network Expansion
  • Lead the rollout of Kofa’s battery swap station network, identifying optimal locations to ensure customer accessibility and operational efficiency.
  • Oversee the installation and maintenance of swap stations, ensuring alignment with technical and performance standards.
  • Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to establish scalable and reliable infrastructure.
Business Development and Growth
  • Work with Product and Marketing to develop and implement go-to-market strategies to increase brand recognition and drive customer adoption.
  • Identify growth opportunities within the Kenyan market, including new revenue streams and regional expansions.
  • Support the sales and marketing activities, ensuring Kofa’s offerings resonate with local needs and preferences
Operational Leadership
  • Establish and support a local Network Operations Center, overseeing Network Managers and Field Operations to ensure seamless service delivery.
  • Lead supply chain operations, ensuring efficient procurement, logistics, and inventory management for battery swaps.
  • Direct commercial analysis efforts to optimize pricing, demand forecasting, and financial planning.
Financial and Commercial Oversight
  • Manage budgets to ensure cost-effective operations and financial sustainability.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for revenue, profitability, and operational efficiency.
  • Collaborate with the corporate team on pricing strategies, risk management, product development, financial optimization and financial forecasting.
Regulatory and Market Intelligence
  • Stay informed about Kenyan energy regulations, industry trends, and technological advancements to capitalize on opportunities.
  • Provide strategic insights to Kofa’s leadership team, shaping decisions and future plans for the Kenyan market.
  • Ensure compliance with all environmental, legal, and industry standards.
Team Leadership
  • Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing local team to support operations, business development, and customer service.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and alignment with Kofa’s mission to deliver sustainable energy solutions in Kenya.

Qualifications and Skills

Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Energy Management, or a related field; an advanced degree (e.g., MBA) is a plus.
  • 8+ years of experience in senior roles involving business development, operations, or market entry, preferably in renewable energy, logistics, or technology.
  • Proven success in launching and scaling businesses or projects in emerging markets, with experience in Kenya or East Africa preferred.
  • Proven experience in building and leading a team of 20+ people across functions to achieve strategic and tactical goals
Core Competencies
  • Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ability to operate autonomously and solve complex problems in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strategic Vision: Expertise in developing and executing market entry and growth strategies.
  • Operational Excellence: Strong knowledge of logistics, supply chain, and infrastructure management.
  • Leadership and Team Building: Proven ability to recruit and lead high-performing teams.
  • Local Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of Kenya’s business landscape, regulatory framework, and energy sector dynamics.
  • Financial Acumen: Skilled in budget management, financial analysis, and risk mitigation.
Preferred Attributes
  • Experience in renewable energy, mobility, or battery storage solutions.
  • Passion for sustainability and Kofa’s mission to transform energy accessibility.
  • Can do attitude with experience scaling a new business, product or service

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