CALVIN KODONGO
MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE
Nairobi,Kenya
Summary
I am a seasoned team leader with 19 years overall professional experience, 13 years being experience managing multicultural and diverse teams delivering impactful social development programs in Kenya and also East and Central Africa. Working with small holder farmers, cooperatives and pastoralists helping them produce food predictably and also profitably thereby improving their incomes and livelihoods. Consistently delivered impactful results in the organizations worked in. At SIDAI AFRICA (K) Ltd,successfully executed projects and programs funded by the USAID, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Save the Children, Mercy Corps among other donor partners. Pioneered the execution and adoption of Productive use energy (PUE) equipment through a grant from the USAID to help small holder farmers, pastoralists and more so Women improve their production systems using solar energy. Currently finalizing on a Digital Financing Solution project working together with Safaricom, Strathmore University, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Kenyan Government (KDC) and Mackinsey. At Zagro Singapore Pte Ltd, worked with thousands of small holder farmers across East and Central Africa creating lasting positive impact through smart technology approaches and quality products. Helped develop an online crop disease diagnostic tool as well as livestock products online trading platform dubbed Vetsquare. Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director
Sidai Africa (K) Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
1 2021 - Current
- Responsible for the company Profit & Loss. Maintains a strong cashflow.
- Established Company goals and objectives, both short and long term and ensured total compliance with all regulatory authorities and audits.
- Successfully completed donor funded projects on time and always tracked program activities and achieved set milestones.
- Maintained and grew relationships with key government stakeholders and several donor partners, working with USAID, Mercy Corps, Save the Children, Safaricom and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Developed several innovative strategies effective at ensuring best impact at the last mile focusing on digital solutions for faster penetration. Helped set up over 200 local entrepreneurs and agents at village level to ensure sustained last mile interventions.
- Together with E-Lengo, developed over 30 e-farmer training courses and an AI farmer advisory tool which was voice based in local languages ensuring quality extension services penetration at the last mile
- Developed and managed budgets to ensure financial sustainability and leading robust cost containment measures.
- Reported to the board monthly on company performance and business strategic direction.
- Provided effective leadership and motivation to the teams ensuring best team play and cohesion.
- Planned and executed cost-effective operations and market development activities leading operational costs reduction by 40% and growing average trade margins by 10 points to hit 38%.
- Developed and managed the Sidai Academy, a repository of several technical, commercial and financial training guides for the Technical and Commercial teams.
- Developed and natured high performing teams who are motivated and aligned with the organizational Mission and Vision.
- Led fundraising activities for programs and projects to further the service delivery and creation of lasting impact. Impacted over 6000 farmers through these donor and grant assistance.
National Sales Manager
Bidco Land O' Lakes (JV)
Nairobi, Kenya
12.2020 - 05.2021
- Led Distributor recruitments, management and cooperative business development. Recruited 8 super distributors and 22 key distributors to cover the country.
- Sales and Marketing of animal feeds and feed additives across Kenya, selling upto 4000 Metric tonnes of feed monthly.
- Spearheaded talent recruitment, built top ranking sales team and maintained a team capacity building plan for a sales force of 25.
- Involved in the budgeting process, Credit control, Profit and Loss Management. Led to recovery of approximately 13 Million Kes bad debt.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant authorities including KEBS and PPB.
- Provided effective team leadership and capacity building.
- Spearheaded the registrations and introduction of 4 new products targeting products that provided innovative solutions to farmers like alternative pasture and young stock nutrition range.
- Farmers' trainings, seminars, field days and demonstrations for small scale farmers and cooperatives.
Regional Manager
Zagro Singapore Pte Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
02.2011 - 11.2020
- Established 3 local Subsidiaries in strategic countries of operation, in Kenya, Zambia and Uganda.
- Recruited and managed a team of 150 distributors teams and channel partners.
- Led New product development, introduction and entry into markets of over 35 innovative and unique products.
- Recruited, developed and mentored highly effective performing team of 123 sales and technical professionals to achieve set objectives.
- Business development and expansions into new target markets mainly in Ibadan (Nigeria) and Khartoum in Sudan.
- Established solid commercial and business strategies to drive marketing, sales and customer care goals resulting market share increase.
- Growth of sales and business generally in line with set targets and at an average growth of 20% year on year.
- Allocated financial, human and infrastructural resources to deliver strategic objectives of the company.
Product Manager
Base Kenya (Zagro Singapore Pte Ltd)
Nairobi, Kenya
04.2010 - 01.2011
- Was in-charge of Products registration with regulatory authorities across East African Countries.
- Successfully introduced over 80 SKUs of new products and launched them in 6 countries thereby positioning Zagro as a market leader on Crop and Animal health products
- Recruited, motivated, coached and developed top ranking technical and sales teams across the countries of operation.
- Maintained Financial accounts, assigned assets and materials to ensure the most efficient and effective use of trade marketing materials.
- Oversaw all promotional activities that involved both cycle activities and account driven activations to drive footfall and helped in activations.
- Led all Distributors' and key customer accounts management.
Sales & Technical Manager
Kenchic Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
11.2008 - 10.2009
- Led team of 30 on forecasting, exporting and importing of both hatching eggs and day-old Breeding stock.
- Total Quality management and agribusiness development.
- Technical advice on management protocol of breeder farms, broiler farms and contract farms. Developed guiding SOPs for all farm technical and extension staff.
- Managed public relations, customer care services and institutional business
- Established the first poultry enterprise in Kenyan Women Prison to provide eggs and meat as cheaper protein sources for children born in prison. Project grew to 4 other women prisons within 2 years.
- Development of over 50 e-training templates and presentations for community-based animal health workers.
- Technical sales of parent stock, Day old chicks, hatching eggs and by-products. Sales achievement of over1 million Broiler chicks and 400,000 layers per month.
- Spear headed Department budgeting, financial reporting and credit control. Established the first Zero debt depot and at exit business was cash before hatching of all eggs.
- Team training and capacity building.
Depot Manager
Kenchic Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
08.2006 - 11.2008
- Team leader and regional sales coordinator leading a team of 6.
- Products supply projection, distribution and credit control
- Trained an average of 600 farmers per month routinely offering Technical advice on poultry management practices.
- Championed the introduction of the Indegineous improved Kenbro and Sasso poultry breeds targeting vulnerable women and youth in the rural communities around Western Kenya.
- Was a repeat 'Double Burger' customer care champion for outstanding customers' management a record 3 times in a row.
- Streamlined all depot operations resulting in sales growth by 110% becoming the best performing depot. That led to an award to study at the Arbor Acre School in Alabama.
Technical Sales Representative
Biodeal Laboratories Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
07.2005 - 08.2006
- Regular dairy farmers' training and seminars in Mt.Kenya, Mara triangle, Western Kenya and Nairobi regions.
- Offering Technical advice to manufacturing team and providing market intelligence necessary for product improvement.
- Key accounts management to ensure achievement of the Top line. Grew sales by an average of 8% month on month and hitting targets as the top Technical sales representative.
- Company's last mile representative, providing free extension and technical services to small scale farmers and pastoralist.
Education
MBA - International Business
University of Nairobi
Nairobi 09.2024 - 10.2024
Poultry Production Management Certification - Poultry Science
University of Alabama - Huntsville, USA
AlabamaDiploma in Project Management - Project Management
Kenya Institute of Management
NairobiBachelor of Veterinary Medicine - BVM - undefined
University of Nairobi
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - K.C.S.E -
A.I.C Chebisaas High School
Skills
Sales Leadership
Affiliations
- Member - Kenya Veterinary Association
- Registered Veterinary Surgeon with Kenya Veterinary Board
- Member AKEFEMA
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of E-Lengo in the development of an AI farmer diagnostic tool which was voice based in local languages effective for extension at the last mile.
- Achieved last mile extension and products delivery success through effectively setting up last mile Hubs and setting up local franchisees in ASALs of Kenya.
- Achieved improvement of uptake and use of Productive energy by introducing affordable miniature solar powered farm machines like chaff cutters for ensuring affordable animal feed production by small scale farmers at farm level. tasks.
- Collaborated with the Kenya Prisons in the setting up of the first poultry project in Langata and Kodiaga women prisons to provide protein source to the vulnerable children born in prison.
Timeline
MBA - International Business
University of Nairobi
09.2024 - 10.2024
National Sales Manager
Bidco Land O' Lakes (JV)
12.2020 - 05.2021
Regional Manager
Zagro Singapore Pte Ltd
02.2011 - 11.2020
Product Manager
Base Kenya (Zagro Singapore Pte Ltd)
04.2010 - 01.2011
Sales & Technical Manager
Kenchic Ltd
11.2008 - 10.2009
Depot Manager
Kenchic Ltd
08.2006 - 11.2008
Technical Sales Representative
Biodeal Laboratories Ltd
07.2005 - 08.2006
Managing Director
Sidai Africa (K) Ltd
1 2021 - Current
Poultry Production Management Certification - Poultry Science
University of Alabama - Huntsville, USA
Diploma in Project Management - Project Management
Kenya Institute of Management
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine - BVM - undefined
University of Nairobi
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - K.C.S.E -
A.I.C Chebisaas High School
References
Available upon request.
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