CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (Food Manufacturing/CFO Background)

• Develop and execute the company's overall business strategy in alignment with the Board's vision and long-term objectives.
  
• Define clear strategic priorities for revenue growth, profitability, market expansion, operational excellence and organisational capability.
  
• Lead the business through its next stage of growth, transformation and professionalisation.
  
• Translate strategy into clear business plans, budgets, KPIs and measurable execution priorities.
  
• Establish a performance-driven culture with strong accountability across the leadership team.
  
• Identify opportunities for business diversification, new markets, partnerships, acquisitions and strategic investments.
  

• Assume full accountability for the company's P&L, cash flow, balance sheet and overall financial performance.
  
• Drive revenue growth, gross margin improvement, EBITDA growth and sustainable profitability.
  
• Leverage strong financial acumen to improve pricing, product profitability, customer profitability, cost structures and capital allocation.
  
• Establish robust budgeting, forecasting and management reporting processes to support faster and better business decisions.
  
• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, working capital improvement and cash generation.
  
• Ensure disciplined management of CAPEX and evaluate investment decisions based on ROI and long-term strategic value.
  
• Strengthen financial controls, governance, risk management and business performance management.
  

• Provide overall leadership to manufacturing operations, ensuring high standards of productivity, quality, cost, delivery and safety.
  
• Drive improvements in production efficiency, capacity utilisation, yield, wastage, labour productivity, energy consumption and manufacturing costs.
  
• Work closely with the Operations and Plant leadership teams to improve OEE, reduce downtime and optimise production planning.
  
• Ensure manufacturing capacity and capabilities are aligned with current and future demand.
  
• Lead automation, technology adoption, process improvement and continuous improvement initiatives.
  
• Evaluate and optimise manufacturing footprint, capacity expansion and capital investment requirements.
  
• Ensure the business operates with appropriate food safety, quality and regulatory standards.
  

• Lead the development and execution of the company's commercial strategy across key customer segments and channels.
  
• Drive revenue growth through customer acquisition, account development, pricing strategy, product portfolio optimisation and market expansion.
  
• Strengthen relationships with key customers, distributors, principals, suppliers and strategic partners.
  
• Identify opportunities to expand into new markets, geographies, product categories and customer segments.
  
• Improve product and customer profitability through disciplined commercial and financial analysis.
  
• Partner with Sales, Marketing and R&D to strengthen the product portfolio and develop new 
  
• products aligned with market demand.
  
• Monitor industry, consumer and competitor trends and translate market opportunities into actionable business strategies.
  

• Oversee the effectiveness of end-to-end supply chain, including demand planning, procurement, inventory, warehousing and logistics.
  
• Optimise raw material sourcing, supplier performance, purchasing costs and inventory levels.
  
• Improve working capital through better inventory management, receivables discipline and supplier terms.
  
• Ensure supply chain resilience and continuity of critical raw materials and packaging.
  
• Work closely with Procurement and Operations to improve total landed cost and supply chain efficiency.
  

• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, product quality and regulatory compliance across the organisation.
  
• Ensure the business maintains appropriate certifications and compliance with relevant food manufacturing, Halal, GMP, HACCP and other applicable standards.
  
• Establish a strong quality and food safety culture throughout the organisation.
  
• Ensure appropriate controls are in place to manage product quality, customer complaints, recalls, audits and regulatory risks.
  
• Work closely with QA/QC, Technical and Operations teams to continuously improve product quality and manufacturing standards.
  

• Build, develop and retain a high-performing senior management team.
  
• Establish clear accountability, KPIs and performance expectations across all functions.
  
• Strengthen organisational structure, talent management and succession planning in line with business growth.
  
• Develop a culture of ownership, performance, continuous improvement and commercial accountability.
  
• Coach and mentor functional leaders while ensuring the organisation remains agile and execution-focused.
  
• Lead organisational transformation where required to support scale and future growth.
  

• Act as the key link between management and the Board, providing clear and timely updates on business performance, risks and strategic initiatives.
  
• Present business plans, budgets, forecasts, investment proposals and strategic recommendations to the Board.
  
• Build strong relationships with shareholders, financial institutions, customers, suppliers, regulators and other key stakeholders.
  
• Ensure the company operates with a high standard of corporate governance, transparency and integrity.
  

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Engineering or a related discipline. MBA or relevant professional qualification is an advantage.
  
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience, preferably with significant exposure to food manufacturing, FMCG or consumer products.
  
• Strong CFO / Finance Director / senior finance leadership background with demonstrated progression into broader business leadership.
  
• Proven experience in full P&L ownership and enterprise-level decision making.
  
• Strong exposure to manufacturing operations, supply chain, procurement and commercial functions.
  
• Experience leading a business transformation, turnaround, scale-up or growth agenda will be highly advantageous.
  
• Experience dealing with Boards, shareholders, banks, investors and other senior stakeholders.
  
• Regional or international exposure will be an advantage.