Oxford University Press General Manager Tanzania

Reference number: OUPT/GM08/13

Job Title: General Manager

Supervisor: Regional Director – East and Southern Africa

Location: Dar es Salaam

Job summary

The jobholder is responsible for developing, implementing and directing publishing, sales and marketing strategies and deliver fit for purpose products and services that strongly drive sales and market share growth for the Tanzania Business. S/he will also be responsible for implementing adequate financial processes, planning and budgeting in line with investment needs and return targets as agreed annually with OUP group.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee formulation and implementation of overall strategy and business plans to optimise revenue and profitability.
• Achieve the financial objectives agreed in the budget and report quantitatively and qualitatively at agreed times, in agreed formats, on plans, progress and results.
• Determine what school titles should be published, principally in response to curriculum or supplementary publishing programme as agreed in a cost effective manner to achieve good margins, and to carefully calculated schedules.
• Ensure focused and timely sales and marketing campaigns to drive sales and market share growth aligned to new publishing and key market needs.
• Ensure regular review of structure and business process to ensure effective operations
• Ensure the structure of the business facilitates implementation of approved strategies, that human resources are well managed and trained, that staff benefits are in line with other organizations of similar size and that the limits of authority document is adhered to.
• Ensure that the public image of the Press is consistent with global objectives by ensuring adherence to the highest standards and publishing service and business behaviour.
• Maintain regular contact and good relationships with colleagues in the UK and the other branches in order to maximise opportunities in the Region.
• Ensure responsiveness and compliance to the laws of the country.

Focus areas of responsibility

• Organisation strategy, annual planning and budgeting
• Spearheading publishing programs and  initiatives
• Finance, administration and operations oversight
• Developing and managing talent
• Oversee market share growing sales and marketing campaigns

The following positions report directly to the General Manager position.

• Publishing Manager
• Sales and Marketing Manager
• Distribution and Production Manager
• Finance and Administration Manager
• PA and HR

Desired Skills & Experience

Academic and professional qualifications

• A degree in business.
• Financial training will be advantageous.

Experience and other requirements

• At least five years senior management experience in general management, manufacturing or sales and marketing with a good commercial understanding, systems and process driven;
• Experience in managing a varied team for at least 3 years with demonstrable ability to mobilise, train and grow staff and compliance enforcement ;
• Thorough understanding and knowledge of the dynamics of the educational market and system in Tanzania;
• Experience of driving strategic planning and initiatives to grow market share;
• A high level of commercial and financial understanding to evaluate performance and the viability of plans and opportunities;
•  Ability to engage strategically and build strong relationships with stakeholders; and
• Fluency and good written, verbal communication in English and Kiswahili is a must.

Core technical competencies required for the role

• Strategic  planning
• Effective People management
• Excellent finance management skills
• Sales, Marketing and Publishing skills

Company Description

Oxford University Press (OUP), the largest University Press in the world, is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. Our client, OUP Tanzania publishes quality educational materials and is seeking to recruit a high calibre, results oriented, experienced and highly skilled professional for the position ofGeneral Manager.

The role

Reporting to the Regional Director – Africa, the ideal candidate will be responsible for developing, implementing and directing publishing, sales and marketing strategies and deliver fit for purpose products and services that ethically drive sales and market share growth for Tanzania. The individual will also be responsible for revenue generation and profitability and will lead the growth of the organization, strengthening the company’s position in the market.

The position requires an appropriate Bachelor’s degree with five (5) or more years of senior management experience in general management, manufacturing or sales and marketing with a good commercial understanding, systems and process driven. In addition, the individual must demonstrate a thorough understanding and knowledge of the dynamics of the educational market and system in Tanzania, and the ability to engage strategically and build strong relationships with stakeholders. Experience in managing a varied team for at least 3 years with demonstrable ability to mobilise, train and grow staff and compliance enforcement is critical for this role.

The offer

If your career aspirations match this exciting opportunity, please write in confidence quoting the position title and reference number on the subject of the email or cover letter on or before Friday 23 August 2013. Detailed job profile can be accessed on www.kpmg.com/eastafrica. Applications including your curriculum vitae, a working e-mail address, daytime telephone contacts, qualifications, experience, present position, current remuneration, names and addresses of three referees should be emailed to esdoup@kpmg.co.ke. Applicants will also be required to provide the following:

1)         a reference letter from their immediate past employer; and

2)         a character reference from an individual who has known the applicant     

            for at least 3 years

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted