Lilongwe Water Board
The Lilongwe Water Board (Board) is a Statutory Corporation established in 1947 and reconstituted in 1995 under the Water Works Act (cap 72). It is responsible for the provision of water supply services to the City of Lilongwe and other surrounding areas designated as its supply area. In its quest for innovations and reforms in the water supply within Lilongwe City, in line with its strategic vision for growth and service delivery mandate, the Board has conceptualized the production of bottled water as one of the Government approved reform areas for Water Boards in Malawi. It is from this background that the Board invites applications from suitable, qualified, and experienced persons to fill the following vacant positions that exist at the Bottling Plant Unit within the Lilongwe Water Board Establishment:
Job Title: Bottling Unit Manager
Grade: LWB 4
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Director of Finance
Responsible for: Marketing Officer, Accountant, Process Engineer, Water Quality Technician, and a Procurement Assistant.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
a) Strategy Formulation
- Provide oversight leadership of the bottling plant, ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Review and developing comprehensive strategies and plans for the bottling unit, aligning with the overall objectives and goals of Lilongwe Water Board
- Analyzing market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscape to identify opportunities for growth and differentiation.
- Collaborating with the leadership team to define long-term objectives and strategies for sustainable business expansion.
b) Business Development
- Leading in business development initiatives to expand the market presence and reach of the bottled water unit, including new product launches, market penetration strategies, and customer acquisition efforts.
- Cultivating and maintaining strategic partnerships with distributors, retailers, and other stakeholders to drive sales and distribution channels.
- Formulating terms and conditions for sales and distribution in line with applicable industry trends and practices.
c) Operational Management
- Developing and implementing operational strategies to optimize production efficiency, minimize downtime, and meet production targets.
- Monitoring and controlling all aspects of the bottling process, including quality control, packaging, labeling, and distribution.
- Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal policies to maintain product quality and safety.
- Overseeing all aspects of the bottling unit’s operations, including production planning, quality control, inventory management, and logistics.
- Implementing efficient production processes and workflow systems to optimize resource utilization and minimize costs.
d) Team Leadership and Development
- Supervising, mentoring, and guiding the team members, fostering a positive work environment conducive to productivity and collaboration.
- Delegating tasks effectively, ensuring that each team member understands their roles and responsibilities and has the necessary resources to perform their duties.
- Conducting performance evaluations, setting performance goals, and providing ongoing feedback and support to facilitate professional development.
e) Quality Assurance
- Implementing and maintaining stringent quality control measures throughout the bottling process to ensure the production of high-quality bottled water that meets industry standards and customer expectations.
- Conduct regular quality audits and inspections to identify and address any deviations or non-conformities in the production process.
f) Financial Management
- Working closely with the Director of Finance to develop annual budgets, cost estimates, and financial forecasts for the bottling unit.
- Monitoring production costs, analyze financial performance, and identify opportunities for cost optimization and revenue enhancement.
- Collaborating with the Director of Finance to develop and manage the unit’s financial performance and track key performance indicators.
- Preparing periodic financial reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting performance metrics, trends, and strategic insights
g) Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborating with other units to coordinate activities and achieve common goals.
- Communicating effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, providing regular updates on bottling unit operations and performance
h) Continuous Improvement
- Identifying opportunities for process optimization, automation, and innovation to improve operational efficiency and reduce waste.
- Leading continuous improvement initiatives, encouraging feedback from team members, and implementing best practices to drive operational excellence.
Minimum Academic and Professional qualifications and experience
- Master’s Degree in Business Administration coupled with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Knowledge and experience in business development or Marketing fast-moving goods.
- Proven experience in a managerial role within the manufacturing or bottling industry, with a strong track record of successfully managing production operations.
- In-depth knowledge of bottling processes, equipment, and quality standards.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency in relevant software applications, such as ERP systems and Microsoft Office suite.
Method Of Application
LWB is an equal opportunity employer. Therefore, both male and female persons who meet the prerequisite qualifications and experience are encouraged to apply.
Interested persons should submit their application with up-to-date detailed curriculum vitae, to reach the undersigned not later than the 30th April, 2024.
The Chief Executive Officer,
Lilongwe Water Board
P. O BOX 96
Lilongwe.
All late applications shall not be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.