Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Kalungwishi Estates Limited, a large-scale agricultural enterprise engaged in macadamia and sugarcane production, is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to strengthen management capacity, protect the company’s interests and build strong administrative systems and governance across the business.

This is a senior, strategic appointment. We are looking for a commercially minded professional who has operated in an environment where poor decisions carry real consequences someone who understands governance, accountability and the protection of the employer’s interests, and who builds systems rather

JOB PURPOSE

The Operations Manager will take ownership of the company’s regulatory, compliance, governance and administrative framework acting as the central coordinator between departments, the primary interface with external authorities and stakeholders, and the architect of the policies, procedures and management systems that hold the business together.

The role exists to reduce the administrative and compliance burden currently carried by senior management, allowing the General Manager and Directors to focus on operations and strategic decision-making. Success will be measured by the strength of the systems built, the consistency with which they are applied, and the degree to which the company’s interests are actively protected.

Responsibilities or duties

• Regulatory and Government Relations — Manage the company’s relationship with regulatory authorities including the Labour Office, Immigration, WARMA, ZEMA, local councils and other statutory bodies. Progressively become the primary point of contact with these institutions, acting as a buffer between management and external authorities, while coordinating closely with the relevant departments (Agriculture, Factory, Finance) depending on the matter at hand.
• Policies, Procedures and Management Systems — Develop, implement and continuously improve company policies, administrative procedures and management systems. This is one of the most important responsibilities of the role: building systems that improve consistency, accountability and governance across the organisation.
• Employee Relations and Discipline — Protect the company’s interests in employee relations, disciplinary matters and investigations. Ensure disciplinary processes are followed through consistently, and that corrective actions are properly documented, implemented and defensible.
• Stakeholder Management — Coordinate and manage relationships with traditional leaders, local communities, contractors, government departments and other external stakeholders, always representing and protecting the company’s interests.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance — Assist management in ensuring the company remains compliant with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, coordinating with departments to ensure compliance obligations are identified, tracked and met.
• Management Coordination — Act as the central coordinator for administrative matters: ensuring issues are properly followed up, departments communicate effectively, and management is presented with organised information and clear recommendations rather than unresolved day-to-day problems.
• Management Support — Reduce the administrative and compliance workload carried by senior management, freeing the General Manager and Directors to concentrate on operations and strategy.
• Administrative Oversight — Provide overall direction for estate administration — permits, licences, statutory records, facilities, support services and support staff — ensuring the estate is always inspection-ready and that routine matters are resolved without escalation.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

• Grade 12 School Certificate (mandatory).
• Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Operations Management or a related field.
• Sound working knowledge of Zambian labour, environmental and regulatory frameworks.

Experience needed

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in a large private-sector business where operational discipline, compliance and commercial performance are critical.
• Experience gained in mining, manufacturing, large commercial agriculture or a comparable industrial environment will be a distinct advantage.
• Demonstrated experience engaging statutory bodies, regulators, inspectors, councils and external stakeholders at a senior level.
• A proven track record of designing and implementing policies, procedures and management systems — not merely administering existing ones.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

• Commercially minded, with a clear understanding of governance, accountability and risk.
• Systems builder — able to create structure and consistency where none exists.
• Mature, confident and credible when dealing with authorities, traditional leadership, contractors and staff at all levels.
• Firm but fair; willing to hold the line and see difficult matters through to conclusion.
• Strong written skills — able to document processes, investigations and recommendations clearly.
• Highly organised, with disciplined follow-through and no tolerance for loose ends.
• Able to work independently in a demanding, interruption-driven operational environment.
• Comfortable being fully farm-based in Kasama.

WHAT WE OFFER

This is an important strategic appointment for Kalungwishi Estates. We are prepared to invest in the right individual, and the successful candidate will be offered a competitive package commensurate with experience, together with the autonomy to shape the governance and management systems of a growing agricultural business.

• Regulatory and Government Relations — Manage the company’s relationship with regulatory authorities including the Labour Office, Immigration, WARMA, ZEMA, local councils and other statutory bodies. Progressively become the primary point of contact with these institutions, acting as a buffer between management and external authorities, while coordinating closely with the relevant departments (Agriculture, Factory, Finance) depending on the matter at hand.
• Policies, Procedures and Management Systems — Develop, implement and continuously improve company policies, administrative procedures and management systems. This is one of the most important responsibilities of the role: building systems that improve consistency, accountability and governance across the organisation.
• Employee Relations and Discipline — Protect the company’s interests in employee relations, disciplinary matters and investigations. Ensure disciplinary processes are followed through consistently, and that corrective actions are properly documented, implemented and defensible.
• Stakeholder Management — Coordinate and manage relationships with traditional leaders, local communities, contractors, government departments and other external stakeholders, always representing and protecting the company’s interests.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance — Assist management in ensuring the company remains compliant with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, coordinating with departments to ensure compliance obligations are identified, tracked and met.
• Management Coordination — Act as the central coordinator for administrative matters: ensuring issues are properly followed up, departments communicate effectively, and management is presented with organised information and clear recommendations rather than unresolved day-to-day problems.
• Management Support — Reduce the administrative and compliance workload carried by senior management, freeing the General Manager and Directors to concentrate on operations and strategy.
• Administrative Oversight — Provide overall direction for estate administration — permits, licences, statutory records, facilities, support services and support staff — ensuring the estate is always inspection-ready and that routine matters are resolved without escalation.

• Commercially minded, with a clear understanding of governance, accountability and risk.
• Systems builder — able to create structure and consistency where none exists.
• Mature, confident and credible when dealing with authorities, traditional leadership, contractors and staff at all levels.
• Firm but fair; willing to hold the line and see difficult matters through to conclusion.
• Strong written skills — able to document processes, investigations and recommendations clearly.
• Highly organised, with disciplined follow-through and no tolerance for loose ends.
• Able to work independently in a demanding, interruption-driven operational environment.
• Comfortable being fully farm-based in Kasama.

• Grade 12 School Certificate (mandatory).
• Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Operations Management or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in a large private-sector business where operational discipline, compliance and commercial performance are critical.
• Experience gained in mining, manufacturing, large commercial agriculture or a comparable industrial environment will be a distinct advantage.
• Demonstrated experience engaging statutory bodies, regulators, inspectors, councils and external stakeholders at a senior level.
• A proven track record of designing and implementing policies, procedures and management systems — not merely administering existing ones.
• Sound working knowledge of Zambian labour, environmental and regulatory frameworks.