GENERAL MANAGER AT ETHICAL APPAREL AFRICA (EAA)

February 4th, 2021 at 12:22 pm

Company description

Maagrace Garment Industries Limited (MGIL) is an apparel manufacturing firm created in 2003. Currently the factory has over 500 operators with the space to grow to employ over 800 individuals. MGIL’s vision is to develop a model factory that can show how ethical manufacturing can be done at scale in an African context. This will be achieved through innovation, efficiency and integrity, providing the best quality products to customers whilst empowering their workforce, especially women. MGIL also has a Foundation focused on alleviating poverty within its neighboring communities.

MGIL is partnering with Ethical Apparel Africa (EAA), a sourcing company that provides international apparel brands with ethical, cost competitive and quality manufacturing solutions in West Africa. Based in Ghana and Benin, EAA has a dynamic team bringing decades of experience from around the world in product development, quality assurance, account management, social impact, operations and finance. EAA works with West African factories to build technical and ethical standards to international standards. Their clients are international brands mostly from Europe and the USA interested in growing a manufacturing base in Africa.

Position overview

We have a great opportunity for someone with passion and expertise to continue to develop MGIL — implementing systems and achieve efficiency and quality as export production volumes grow. The role will be based in Koforidua which is 2 hours outside of Accra in Ghana, West Africa. This person will work closely with the EAA Technical team in Ghana and will have the following responsibilities:

Model Factory Leadership 

• Work with MGIL owners to develop a strategy that will deliver best in class efficiency, cost competitive product and beyond compliance ethics

• Lead and develop the whole factory team from merchandising to production to finance to HR to compliance, with a particular focus on developing local middle managers

• Develop and lead the culture within the factory to ensure high worker satisfaction and continuous improvement into a ‘best place to work’

Factory Management

Production

• Establish a capacity growth strategy based on scaling operations and steadily improving efficiency over time

• Manage the Department heads for Product Development & Quality, Planning, Warehouse & Cutting, Production, Finishing and IE to ensure:

  • all product is risk assessed for complexity and machinery before order is accepted

  • all samples, SMVs and costings are right first time and delivered on time

  • factory efficiency targets are set correctly and met across departments

  • all quality practices related to DHU, in line checks, AQL and root cause analysis are executed correctly and with learning actions

  • inventory system from goods in to out is always up to date and accurate on ERP

  • all required production, quality and efficiency reports are completed on time and accurately

  • goods are ready for AQL on time and are dispatched on time with correct paperwork

• Oversee daily execution of processes for production planning, target setting, line balancing, performance tracking (leveraging MGIL’s ERP system), and root cause analysis

• Lead post production meetings to identify successes and learnings

• Create and sustain standard operating procedures (SOP’s), quality manuals and training materials adopting a sustainable and participatory approach

• Implement Lean management principles and embed them into the operating models to achieve efficiency targets

• Research and keep ahead of developments in production to ensure MGIL is at the forefront of manufacturing methods

• Lead strategic thinking on equipment utilization, depreciation, maintenance, and investment

• Lead the new Surgical mask cleanroom production unit to ensure ISO standards are maintained and accreditation is secure at all times

Financial Performance

• Lead and take accountability for the P&L of the factory and ensuring the factory runs profitably versus targets

• Conduct regular waste assessments to identify areas of cost saving

• Ensure CAPEX planning and procurement is systematic and rigorously executed

• Analyze production outcomes from a financial standpoint to identify areas of risk or loss and continuously adapt

People

• Role model leadership to the team of expat and local managers so that they in turn inspire the MGIL workforce — establishing a ‘best place to work’ workplace culture that drives loyalty, engagement, ownership and efficiency

• Work with the HR Manager to ensure best practices followed for recruitment / hiring and that MGIL is hiring to the highest possible standard

• Ensure continuous investment in MGIL’s people; Identify skill gaps and training opportunities for managers and supervisors

Compliance

• Support the Compliance team to ensure the factory site is compliant to all legal and health and safety requirements under international and local law

• Ensure contingency plans in place for environmental / situational factors that could impact production continuity

• Ensure MGIL complies with all international and local labour laws and guidelines concerning safety, pay, remuneration and leave allowances

• Conduct meetings with worker committees, review minutes and take action accordingly

• Prepare MGIL to be ready to pass any international compliance audit at any time

• Oversee all audit and post-audit activities including ensuring CAP (corrective action plan) continuously up to date and shared with buyers as needed

• Build relationships with local and national authorities to ensure continuous adherence to any changing compliance regulations

Qualifications & Attributes 

• Proven experience as General Manager (minimum 15 years’ experience) of a factory with at least 500 machines

• Excellent interpersonal relations and managerial competences with exceptional communication and presentation skills across cultures and strong teamwork skills

• Experience in developing training programs and training staff

• Experience working with Western brands from the USA or Europe

• Experience in taking product from concept to finished production

• Sound knowledge on HR policies and industry compliance requirements

• Experience working with ERP systems and improving production efficiency

• Previous working/living experience in a developing country, ideally in Africa

• Entrepreneurial attitude to taking on new challenges and taking ownership in a self-directed manner

• Demonstrated balance between leading and training and working alongside people with a ‘hands on’ approach

• Evidence of the following characteristics: critical thinker; proactive, self aware; resilient and adaptable; persistent and resourceful; able to work under pressure and respect deadlines, apt at both strengthening relationships and resolving problems, poised, active listener; fun to work with; full of integrity; ability to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced environment

• Fluency in English

Benefits

• Annual flight allowance

• Accomodation and transportation

• Health and repatriation insurance

• 25 days of annual leave plus local national holidays

• Salary and benefits depending on candidates experience and profile

How to apply 

• This position will start in February 2021

• As applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, kindly send a resume ​and a separate and specific cover letter for this position ​to: talent@ethicalapparelafrica.co using the reference “MGIL GM”​ as the subject of your email

• Only complete applications with accurate reference will be considered and only the most qualified candidates will be short-listed for interview