Haskè Ventures is the first venture builder focused on transforming the startup landscape in Francophone Africa. We identify and scale startups in this high-potential region, bridging the gap between “ideas” and growth-stage ventures. In addition to creating ventures from scratch, Haskè Ventures also supports established companies to start new business lines in the West Africa region, in the form of joint ventures.

A high-growth focused CPG start-up is looking for a Chief Operations Officer (COO) with extensive experience in West African logistics. The COO will work directly with the CEO to create, implement, and oversee the operations and distribution of packaged goods throughout West Africa. Our products will be distributed across a wide range of retailers—corner boutiques, supermarkets, markets, gas stations, online, both inside major cities and smaller towns. The COO will have the flexibility, creativity, and know-how to move products to all these locations and will have a deep sense of organization to keep things moving on budget and on schedule.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS ROLE
The COO of this venture will be expected to manage all operations, logistics, and tracking of accounts. Your role will be to lead various functions:

• Operations

  • Create the warehousing and tracking processes for a wide selection of SKUs

  • Actively manage all operations to ensure processes are efficient and achieving company goals

  • Ensure products are properly stored and unharmed by the natural elements

  • Ensure warehouse security

  • Design and oversee operational organization

  • Build and manage fulfillment and security teams

• Distribution

  • Establish and maintain distribution channels for all products

  • Establish best practices for tracking accounts, including orders, fulfillment, accounting, and customer service

  • Create processes for distribution to retailers in multiple West African countries—including both cities and outer regions

  • Establish tracking system for all retailers across multiple West African countries

• Logistics

  • Navigate local and international shipping and freight forwarding

  • Navigate the complexities of West African customs

  • Navigate the complexities of West African trucking

• Financial tracking

  • Control the financial activity, including budgeting, monthly cashflow reporting, tax management, and auditing

  • Improve the planning and budgeting process continually by being a key player in the budget execution (planning and monitoring)

  • Implement, improve, and enforce policies and procedures that will increase the financial and operational effectiveness of the company

  • Optimize the handling of banking relationships and work closely with a CFO to foster and grow strategic financial partnerships

• Compliance

  • Ensure all legal and regulatory documents are filed and monitor compliance with applicable laws and regulations

  • Enforce adherence to legal guidelines and in-house policies to maintain the company’s legality and business ethics

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of hands-on senior logistics management experience in West Africa

• Strong background in West African logistics, with relationships in customs and experience in regional trucking across multiple countries

• Nimble thinking, able to create lightweight processes, test quickly, and adjust as necessary

• Execution-oriented mindset, must be able to think creatively and adjust strategy to a wide variety of circumstances

• Knowledge of the basis of corporate finance (profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow management, and general finance and budgeting) and performance management principles

• Understanding of human resources and talent management—a team builder and a people-centric leader

• Experience with corporate governance and leadership management, with steadfast resolve and personal integrity

• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, ideally in both French and English

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your CV and cover letter to recrutement@haskeventures.com before December 31, 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted about the following steps of the recruitment procedure.

WHAT HASKÈ VENTURES OFFERS

Francophone Africa is ripe with high-potential business opportunities. We aim to create and support entrepreneurs in this region by bridging the gap between ideas and growth-stage ventures.

If you join us, you'll have the opportunity to transform the start-up landscape in Francophone Africa and many people's lives. You'll be joining a team of an intelligent and diverse group of talented people that are deeply motivated by the purpose of making a difference.

Haskè Ventures is determined to be a workplace that offers an unparalleled space for learning entrepreneurial skills. Whether it is solving complex challenges, being inspired by collaboration on a venture, or mentoring from the community of talents, we want to be the best place for your personal growth.

Haskè Ventures supports start-ups with seed capital and venture building, including strategy, talent, and operational support. Read more on our website at www.haskeventures.com.