Background information about the job or company:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership of the Zambia business, ensuring sustainable growth, operational excellence, and strong financial performance. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the COO will oversee the full country operation, drive strategic execution, and ensure alignment with the organisation’s multinational vision and performance standards.

Responsibilities or duties:

• Translate the group’s strategic agenda into a focused country business plan, ensuring delivery of long-term growth and market leadership
• Shape and drive strategic initiatives to strengthen competitive positioning and operational capability
• Contribute to multinational strategy and decision-making as a member of the executive leadership team
• Lead the end-to-end operation of the country business, ensuring consistent delivery of operational excellence, brand standards, and customer experience
• Own profit and loss and deliver on revenue, margin, and profitability objectives
• Drive market expansion, network optimisation, and commercial growth initiatives
• Ensure robust governance, compliance, and risk management across all operational areas
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing leadership team capable of delivering against strategic and operational goals
• Foster a culture of accountability, agility, and performance
• Champion leadership development and succession planning to support sustainable growth
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including government departments, suppliers, regulators, and industry partners
• Influence key business decisions and advocate for country-specific priorities at the group level

Qualifications or requirements:

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience, including broad P&L and operational accountability
• Proven success in leading a large, complex business, ideally in QSR, retail, or FMCG
• Demonstrated ability to drive strategic transformation and operational excellence at scale
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with a track record of delivering sustainable business performance
• International or emerging market experience preferred

Experience needed:

10+ years of senior leadership experience, including broad P&L and operational accountability

• Translate the group’s strategic agenda into a focused country business plan, ensuring delivery of long-term growth and market leadership
• Shape and drive strategic initiatives to strengthen competitive positioning and operational capability
• Contribute to multinational strategy and decision-making as a member of the executive leadership team
• Lead the end-to-end operation of the country business, ensuring consistent delivery of operational excellence, brand standards, and customer experience
• Own profit and loss and deliver on revenue, margin, and profitability objectives
• Drive market expansion, network optimisation, and commercial growth initiatives
• Ensure robust governance, compliance, and risk management across all operational areas
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing leadership team capable of delivering against strategic and operational goals
• Foster a culture of accountability, agility, and performance
• Champion leadership development and succession planning to support sustainable growth
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including government departments, suppliers, regulators, and industry partners
• Influence key business decisions and advocate for country-specific priorities at the group level

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience, including broad P&L and operational accountability
• Proven success in leading a large, complex business, ideally in QSR, retail, or FMCG
• Demonstrated ability to drive strategic transformation and operational excellence at scale
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with a track record of delivering sustainable business performance
• International or emerging market experience preferred