General Manager

Job Description – General Manager

Wonder Workshop is a creative and growing social business in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A team of 40 Tanzanian artisans with a physical disability create unique works of art using recycled materials. Items are sold in the on-site gift shop, in hotels and lodges around Tanzania as well as to corporate clients, mainly in Dar es Salaam. Products are also exported to Europe, Asia, USA and Oceania on a small scale. To lead our organization to a next level we are looking for a General Manager. The General Manager is responsible for the overall management of the project (incl. sales and marketing, finance, human resource, production, product development).

Because at Wonder Workshop no day is the same and unplanned events and opportunities pop-up on a constant basis we need a highly energetic, self-driven, self-starting and flexible person. It is important that you have a drive for social businesses and love to work in a creative environment with fairly limited resources but endless opportunities. Prior experience is highly valued, but we also believe that personality, drive and knowledge play an important role. The position offers a great opportunity to work in a local Tanzanian organization with International ambitions, run and lead a social business and build a strong network.

Tasks include:

Daily overall management

• Overall financial planning and management of budget to make sure Wonder Workshop will be financially self-sustainable.
• Costing of products and monitoring of profitability of sections.
• Overall human resource management; functional and disciplinatory actions, staff assessments, staff training and recruitment of new staff.
• Management of administration officer, supervisors, guards and shop manager.
• Management of production for all sections.
• Implementation and management of sales and marketing activities.
• Quality control; ensure quality of all products is well maintained.

Strategic planning

• Creation and implementation of a strategic plan for the development of Wonder Workshop including a sales and marketing plan.

Sales and marketing

• To develop and open new markets and grow the current client base. This includes ensuring that all residents of Dar es Salaam know who we are and where we are; through e-mail, flyers, posters, talks at groups and societies, advertising, parties, fairs and shows at the Workshop.
• Work with hotels in growing tours to the workshop, flyers in rooms, lobby pieces.
• Manage all group visits/tours to the Workshop.
• Manage all workshops organized at and by Wonder Workshop.
• Manage all on-site and off-site trade shows and craft fairs; including booking, planning products for sale, planning the execution and the event itself.
• Develop new shows/events at the Wonder Workshop site.
• Deal with all individual customer issues.
• Develop our marketing materials; designing of printed materials, designing of self-developed materials and managing of all internet based social media. Constantly build the email network for mail shots and keep the website up to date.
• Coordinating of all media/PR issues.

Product development

• Develop new products within each section and develop new ranges of products.
• Experiment with turning new waste materials into art for commercial sale.

Fundraising

• Raise funds, write funding proposals, report to donors on progress and manage implementation of funded projects.
• Any other jobs/roles at the discretion of the Chairman or Executive Committee.

Profile of candidate

Personality

• Self starter
• Self driven
• Outgoing
• Strong personality
• Flexible
• Solution focused
• Business mind
• Enthusiastic
• Confident
• Out of the box thinker

Necessary experience

• At least 3 years of professional work experience.
• Work experience in a developing country.
• Prior experience in working in a (social) business.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Added advantage

• Work experience in Tanzania.
• Prior experience in leading a (social) business.
• Experience in the art and craft sector.
• Prior working experience with people living with a disability.
• Knowledge of Kishwahili

Terms of contract

We offer a two year contract. The contract offered is a semi-volunteer, local contract and open to local as well as expatriate applicants.

How to apply

Please e-mail us (info@wonderworkshop.co.tz) your CV of maximum 3 pages including 3 references and explain in one A4 page why you are the one we need for this position and what you want to achieve in your time with us. Put 'Project Manager Application' in the title line of the e-mail. Deadline for applications is Sunday March 9th 2014.