Area Manager, Aggregates & Concrete at Lafarge Cement

JOB SUMMARY

The Area Manger is a P&L role and provides leadership and direction across the network of plants in his/her designated Area. His/her responsibility covers administration, production, sales, quality control, maintenance, logistics, Health, Safety and Environmental issues. 

• Demonstrates visible leadership and role modelling in Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) and Diversity & Inclusion (D&I). More specifically, promoting H&S and D&I actions/behaviours within the function will be key.
• Ensure profitability of plants within his/her “Area”
• To apply the safety policy and drive through with all direct contacts.
• Oversee batching plant operations
• Lead sales and marketing activities in his/her area
• Ensure key resources required in operations (Human resources, raw materials etc.) are available and optimized
• Actively participate in the growth Agenda of Lafarge Ready Mix Nigeria
• Effectively manage cross-functional teams across various plants within his/her “Area” to deliver results

MAIN ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

The Area Manager responsibilities can be summarized as follows:

Health, Safety & Environment:

• Promote safety culture through engagement with employees and subcontractors with an objective of “zero” safety incidents
• Ensure full compliance of the plants with Lafarge safety standards
• Conduct VFL (Visible Felt Leadership) in the RMX plants and or offices regularly
• Revise safety improvement plans in co-ordination with the Health & Safety Coordinator
• Support the certification and implementation of ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 standards in the Plants under his/her jurisdiction

Business Profitability / P&L

• Ensure profitability of plants within the “Area” by achieving set volume, EBTDA & COI targets
• Ensure cost KPIs such as Material costs/m3, Delivery cost/m3, production cost/m3 etc. are within budget

Commercial and Customer Relations:

• Develop the business by leading the sales and customer service activities in his / her area
• Ensure customer needs are met in terms of quality, correct product and timely delivery in coordination with plant and quality teams
• Establish and execute commercial plan and strategy at area level (jointly with the Head A&C and other relevant persons)
• Take in charge Key Account customers (negotiation and contracts)
• Lead development of Value-Added Products
• Ensure compliance with the organization’s credit policy

Market Knowledge and Business Development:

• Lead the sales force in gathering market intelligence data on competition, new projects, new plants, suppliers and synthesize periodically for decision making with the Head, Aggregates and Concrete.
• Actively research, prepare & submit initiatives to develop the business: new plants or solve problems/issues (primary focus on his/her area but also nationally if necessary)

Operations:

• Accountable for overall performance of the batching plant operations with Plant Supervisor (Production, Quality, equipment utilization, people, fleet management, material supplies)
• Through the plant supervisor, ensure proper internal controls are in place (stock reconciliation, loss investigation) with Support of Maintenance Manager and Business Controller
• Administrative oversight of plant activities and achieve target set budget

Management, Organization and Communication:

• Manage and develop the team to ensure efficiency and high integrity
• Coach, train and help operational staff to understand and follow Lafarge procedures
• Proactive approach towards interaction between in-house departments
• Implement reporting process to monitor performance in his/her area
• Coordination with RMX and Cement Colleagues to drive Lafarge Africa Strategy
• Other tasks that may be assigned by the Head, A&C

JOB DIMENSIONS

List of direct reports:

• Operations Coordinator, Field Sales Manager, Sales Admin Officer

Key interfaces, stakeholders and relationships:

• The incumbent interacts regularly with the Head A&C, A&C Management team, Key Accounts Manager, Procurement etc.
• He/she also interacts regularly with the external public including transporters, suppliers and other external stakeholders.

PROFILE REQUIRED

Level of education/qualifications normally required:

• Degree in Engineering/Marketing
• An MBA will be an added advantage

Specific Work experience:

• At least 7 years working experience in a busy commercial environment within the building materials or construction industry.
• Knowledge of LafargeHoIcim products
• Experience in Ready Mix operation will be an added advantage

Technical / Functional Skills

• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical mind and capacity
• Strong computer skills especially Excel, word, powerpoint and email applications
• Ability to prioritize with excellent time management skills
• Good attention to detail

Behavioral Competence:

• Good interpersonal relationship skills
• Strong  team player
• Adaptable
• Tact and tolerant
• Ability to work well under pressure and adhere to set deadlines
• Resilient and Motivated

Leadership and managerial abilities:

• Excellent management skills and ability to organize and plan effectively to meet both short and long range goals and objectives.
• Ability to manage multiple project plans successfully and simultaneously.
• Ability to motivate individuals and teams
• Able to coach and direct a diverse team