Chief Executive Officer

Position Overview We are seeking a highly experienced and results-oriented Chief Executive officer-CEO to jointly lead the company’s operations in Ethiopia in partnership with the Chinese General Manager. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and executing the company’s Ethiopia strategy, driving sustainable business growth, ensuring operational and financial performance, strengthening government and banking relationships, and accelerating the localization of the organization. The position requires a strong combination of strategic leadership, P&L management, business operations, government affairs, financial resource management, and local market expertise . Key Responsibilities 1. Business Strategy & Leadership Develop and drive the implementation of the annual business plan and medium- to long-term strategy for the Ethiopia market. Lead the transformation of the business from rapid scale expansion toward sustainable, profitable, and well-structured operations . Translate corporate strategy into clear business priorities, targets, and execution plans for the local market. Monitor business performance and take timely corrective actions to achieve strategic and financial objectives. Provide strategic insights and recommendations to headquarters based on local market conditions, opportunities, risks, and regulatory developments. 2. P&L and Business Performance Management Take overall responsibility for key business performance indicators, including revenue, profitability, market share, operating costs, and cash flow . Develop and manage annual budgets and business forecasts. Drive effective cost control and resource allocation while maintaining sustainable business growth. Monitor the company's P&L and ensure business decisions are aligned with profitability and long-term sustainability. Establish performance management mechanisms and regularly review business results with the management team. 3. Government & Regulatory Affairs Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with key Ethiopian government authorities and regulatory institutions. Develop effective working relationships with relevant authorities, including: Ministry of Finance Ethiopian Investment Commission Immigration Service Ethiopian Customs Commission Ethiopian Airports Administration Other relevant government and regulatory bodies Support the company in obtaining and maintaining required licenses, approvals, permits, and regulatory compliance. Monitor changes in government policies, regulations, taxation, foreign exchange, investment, import/export, and other matters affecting the company's operations. Represent the company in high-level government and external stakeholder engagements when required. 4. Banking, Financing & Foreign Exchange Management Lead the development of the company's local banking and financial ecosystem. Establish and maintain strong relationships with leading Ethiopian banks, including Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dashen Bank, Awash Bank, and other relevant financial institutions. Support local-currency financing, working-capital management, banking facilities, and other financing requirements. Coordinate foreign-currency acquisition and support the company in navigating Ethiopia's foreign exchange environment. Work closely with Finance and headquarters to manage cross-border payments, import financing, and other financial requirements. Identify and integrate appropriate local financial resources to support the company's business operations and growth. 5. Business Operations & Resource Allocation Coordinate major local resources and ensure efficient execution across key business functions. Support the resolution of complex operational issues related to foreign exchange, importation, customs, logistics, cross-border payments, and regulatory compliance. Work closely with Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR, Retail, and other functions to ensure smooth end-to-end business operations. Ensure that business resources are allocated effectively according to strategic priorities and commercial objectives. 6. Market Development, Sales & Channel Management Support the development and execution of market, sales, distribution, retail, and channel strategies. Develop a strong understanding of the Ethiopian consumer electronics/mobile phone/FMCG market. Identify market opportunities, competitive developments, customer trends, and potential business risks. Strengthen distribution and retail capabilities to support sustainable market penetration and brand growth. Work with commercial teams to improve sales effectiveness, channel productivity, and market coverage. 7. Localization & Talent Development Lead the development and implementation of the company's localization strategy. Build a strong local management team and develop a sustainable talent pipeline for critical positions. Identify and develop high-potential Ethiopian employees for future leadership roles. Support the achievement of the company's localization objectives for key positions within 2–3 years . Promote a high-performance culture while ensuring effective cooperation between local and expatriate teams. 8. China Headquarters & Cross-Cultural Collaboration Work closely with the Chinese headquarters, Chinese General Manager, and global functional teams to ensure effective execution of company strategies. Establish an effective “China × Ethiopia” joint governance model based on clear responsibilities, communication, accountability, and collaboration. Facilitate effective cross-cultural communication and resolve operational issues between local and headquarters teams. Provide headquarters with accurate and timely information regarding the Ethiopian market, business performance, regulatory environment, and operational risks. Candidate Requirements Education Bachelor's degree or above in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Economics, Marketing, or a related field . MBA or Master's degree in Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline is preferred. Language Native-level Amharic /Oromofa proficiency. Business-fluent English , with strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural and international business environment. Professional Experience 10+ years of professional experience , with at least 5 years in senior management positions such as Country Manager, General Manager, CEO, VP, Director, or equivalent. Demonstrated experience managing a business with clear responsibility for P&L, revenue, profitability, budgeting, cost control, and business performance . Proven track record of leading teams, managing complex operations, and delivering measurable business results. Government & External Relations Established experience working with Ethiopian government institutions and regulatory authorities. Experience engaging with senior stakeholders in areas such as investment, finance, immigration, customs, taxation, licensing, or other business-related government matters. Demonstrated ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and coordinate stakeholders to achieve business objectives. Banking & Financial Management Strong understanding of Ethiopia's banking system, foreign exchange environment, financing mechanisms, and import-related financial processes . Experience working with major Ethiopian banks and financial institutions is highly desirable. Practical experience in financing, working capital, foreign exchange, or cross-border payment management is strongly preferred. Industry Experience Experience in one or more of the following industries is preferred: Mobile phones Consumer electronics FMCG Retail Distribution Telecommunications Candidates should have a strong understanding of the Ethiopian market, including sales channels, distribution networks, retail operations, competitive dynamics, and consumer behavior . Leadership & Business Capabilities The ideal candidate should demonstrate: Strong strategic and commercial business judgment. Strong P&L and financial management capabilities. Excellent negotiation and stakeholder-management skills. Strong government and external relationship management capabilities. Proven resource-integration and problem-solving ability. Ability to make decisions in a complex and rapidly changing market environment. Strong leadership and people-management capabilities. Ability to develop local talent and build high-performing teams. Excellent cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills. Ability to work effectively with Chinese headquarters and expatriate management teams. High level of integrity, accountability, discretion, and professionalism. Preferred Background Candidates with experience in the following environments will be highly relevant: Major private business groups in Ethiopia Leading Ethiopian banks or financial institutions Multinational companies Foreign-funded companies Joint ventures Mobile phone or consumer electronics companies FMCG companies Large-scale distribution or retail organizations Key Success Measures Success in this position will be measured through: Achievement of revenue and profitability targets. Effective P&L and cost management. Sustainable business growth and market development. Effective management of cash flow, financing, and foreign exchange requirements. Successful management of key government and regulatory matters. Strength of local banking and financial partnerships. Operational efficiency and resource utilization. Progress against localization and leadership-development targets. Effective collaboration between the Ethiopian organization and Chinese headquarters. Long-term sustainable development of the company's Ethiopia business. Remuneration: We offer a highly competitive executive compensation package, including an attractive base salary, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package. The final package will be determined based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and overall suitability for the position.