The Chief Executive Officer / Business Development Manager will work to improve BLESS Laboratory’s
market position and achieve financial growth.

Overall Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and vision to the organisation by assisting the Board with the development of long term annual plans and with the evaluation and reporting of progress plans.
• Responsible for managing the organisation and assure its development, with a specific focus on its strategic and commercial expansion.
• Responsible for business management and development, sales and financial oversight and to ensure that all business goals and objectives are reached.
• Manage administrative functions to ensure smooth and efficient operations of the organisation.
• Build trust relations with customers, key partners and stakeholders and act as a point of contact for the shareholders.

Sales development responsibilities

• Define a commercial strategy, planning tailor made for each type of business activities and set sales objectives.
• Prospect new clients and identify business opportunities
• Work on customer loyalty and customer satisfaction, build key customer relationships

Financial management responsibilities

• Manage financial items/needs to assure the required funding is available to support the daily activities and development of the business.
• Recommend annual budget for Board approval, regular variance statements and annual audit.
• Provide vision regarding overall financial health of the company, investments and cash strategies.
• Provide recommendations regarding effective utilisation of long and short term debt, including refinancing and purchasing/sales.

HR management

• Personnel management, including hiring, supervision, evaluation and benefits administration.
• Policy development, performance management and improvement systems.
• Production/QC (in coordination with Technical Director):
• Direct and oversee laboratory activities and personnel.
• Engage with the Government and other regulatory bodies to follow up new regulations with regards to standards, lobby to get more products standardized

JOB REQUIREMENT

Education: B A/M.A degree in Business Administration, Public Health, Chemical Engineering or any other related field of study

Experience: A minimum of 10 years work experience for B.A degree and 8 years for M.A degree out of which 5 years at Managerial/ CEO position Experience in Companies having a Board of Directors is advantageous

Other Skills and Qualifications

• Solid national / international laboratory market and research knowledge’s, ideally in the Agri Food field
• Experience in developing profitable strategies and implementing vision
• Strong understanding of corporate finance and performance management principles
• Entrepreneurial mindset with outstanding organizational and leadership skills
• Excellent, proven interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.
• Analytical abilities and problem-solving skills

Others: Networking, Persuasion, Prospecting Skills, Identification of Customer Needs and Challenges, Lobbying with Government bodies

• Fluent in English and Amharic
• Proficiency of French language would be advantageous
• Computer Literate, Microsoft Office