Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic
GRACE MUENI KIMUYU
Open To Work

GRACE MUENI KIMUYU

Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, COO

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work

Desired Job Title

Business Administration ManagerManufacturing ManagerOperations ManagerConsultant - ManufacturingChief Operating Officer

Work Type

Full TimePart TimeContract WorkGig WorkConsultingVolunteerSeasonal Work

Location Preference

On-SiteRemoteHybrid
Open to relocation: Yes

Summary

Proven operations and production leader with a track record of steering complex, multifaceted initiatives that drive revenue growth and cost efficiency. Forward-thinking and steadfast Production and Operations Management leader with 15+ years of experience leading manufacturing facilities and delivering innovative business strategies and client-focused solutions that improve margins. Results-driven manufacturing lead recognized for transforming operational systems to maximize productivity, quality, and profitability. Expert in implementing lean manufacturing techniques, managing project risks, and executing cost-effective, sustainable solutions across complex systems. A strategic thinker and visionary leader skilled at diagnosing operational bottlenecks and building high-performing, resilient teams capable of navigating volatile market conditions.

Overview

10
10
Certifications
21
21
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages

Work History

Manufacuring Exellence Consultant/ Business Owner

Self-employeed
01.2023 - Current
  • Advised clients on business process improvements, operational planning, and service delivery strategies.
  • Assessed organizational needs and developed customized recommendations for workflow and performance optimization.
  • Facilitated stakeholder consultations to define priorities, risks, and implementation options.
  • Prepared reports, presentations, and action plans to support informed decision-making.
  • Analyzed operational data to identify inefficiencies and guide process refinements.
  • Mentored client teams on best practices, documentation standards, and implementation approaches.
  • Delivered independent consulting support across planning, execution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Evaluated client needs and expectations, establishing clear goals for each consulting engagement.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to successfully deliver comprehensive solutions for clients.
  • Identified areas of improvement for clients'' operations, implementing targeted solutions to increase productivity.
  • Designed tailored training programs for employees at various levels within the organization, boosting overall skillsets.
  • Analyzed financial data to identify cost-saving opportunities, advising clients on budget optimization strategies.

Head of Manufacturing and Operations

Savannah Brands Ltd
11.2021 - 12.2022
  • Strategic Leadership: Developed and implemented the manufacturing plant strategic plans to align with the company’s vision and objectives
  • Project Management: Planned, executed, and monitored projects related to manufacturing and warehouse ensuring timely completion and adherence to budgets and coordinated cross-functional teams for project success, from conceptualization to completion.
  • Production Operations: Managed a team of production, quality, maintenance and warehouse managers, providing training and guidance as needed to ensure that all employees performed their duties safely and effectively
  • Financial Accountability: Managed conversion costs/cost of goods , ensuring financial targets were met and exceeded and prepared and oversaw budgets, ensuring cost control and resource optimization.
  • Team Leadership: Built and mentored high-performing teams across manufacturing, operations, and support functions and Fostered a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation
  • Production Planning and fulfillment: Spearheaded supply and operations , overseeing all the activities that went into production planning, procurement, production, Quality and warehouse processes to deliver production volumes in full and on time, on budget and in the right quality.
  • Warehouse Management: Oversaw the day-to-day planning for inventory levels and supply chain relationships to ensure that raw materials and finished products were readily available when needed.
  • Continous Improvement: Identified opportunities for process improvement and cost savings, and led initiatives to implement changes that improved overall efficiency and productivity.
  • Stakeholder management :Coordinated Interface with other departments, suppliers, statutory and regulatory bodies, for efficient delivery on agreed objectives and requirements.
  • Maintenance Planning and Management; Developed and implemented plant maintenance programme for all the equipments and machines

Operations Manager

BIDCORO Africa Ltd
05.2017 - 08.2021
  • Project Management: Planned, executed, and monitored facility construction, equipment installation and commissioning, production launch and other CAPEX related projects; with strict adherence to budgets and timelines.
  • Strategic Leadership: Developed and implemented the manufacturing plant strategic plans to align with the company’s vision and objectives and drive business growth through market expansion, innovation, and diversification.
  • People Management: enhance team skills and ensure compliance with operational standards.
    OPEX Budgeting: Created and managed the operational budget, controlling costs while maintaining quality and service standards.
  • Continuous Improvement: Identified and implemented process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs.
  • Production Planning: Planned and executed production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of products.
  • Operational Excellence: Collaborated with department supervisors/managers to optimize workflow, resolve operational issues, and implement process improvements.
  • Warehouse Management: Managed the warehouse department to ensure inventory levels were optimized, and products received, stored, and shipped in a timely and efficient manner in compliance to good warehouse practices.
  • Maintenance Planning and Management; Developed and implemented plant maintenance programme for all the equipments and machines ensuring compliance to maintenance plans, spare parts inventory management, maintenance technicians gap analysis and training, breakdown analysis and corrective action plans, implementation of TPM- Autonomous maintenance and planned maintenance for increased machine efficiency and reliability. CAPEX Planning: Developed CAPEX plans in alignment with business strategic plans versus existing capacity.
  • Materials Planning and Procurement: Coordinated with procurement and inventory teams to ensure availability of raw materials and components for production.

Manufacturing Unit Manager

Nairobi Bottlers Ltd
12.2011 - 04.2017
  • Production Planning: Developed and implemented daily, weekly and monthly production plans to ensure customer service and productivity objectives of the unit were met.
  • Production Operations: Managed a team of production, quality, maintenance teams, providing training and guidance as needed to ensure that all employees performed their duties safely and effectively
  • Financial Accountability: Managed conversion costs/cost of goods , ensuring financial targets were met and exceeded. Prepared and managed the unit budgets, ensuring cost control and resource optimization.
  • Team Leadership: Performance management, built and mentored high-performing teams across the unit and Fostered a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation
  • Resource Management: Directed and coordinated Unit operation functions with overall responsibility for the planning and allocation of resources (materials, manpower, machines and methods) for maximum utilization of production facilities and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices.
  • Inventory Management: Oversaw the day-to-day planning for inventory levels and supply chain relationships to ensure that raw materials and finished products were readily available when needed.
  • Continuous Improvement: Identified opportunities for process improvement and cost savings, and led initiatives to implement changes that improved overall efficiency and productivity. TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) Pillar leader (5S and Autonomous Maintenance), Operational excellence (OE) projects lead.
  • Stakeholder management: Coordinated Interface with other departments, suppliers, statutory and regulatory bodies, for efficient delivery on agreed objectives and requirements.
  • Unit Performance Analysis and Reporting: Daily, weekly and monthly monitoring of key performance metrics and reporting.
  • Water and Energy Sustainability Lead: Led a cross functional team across the plant to manage and lower water and energy usage, for lower costs and sustainability purposes.

Production Team leader /Supervisor

Nairobi Bottlers Ltd
01.2007 - 01.2011
  • Coca Cola Beverages Africa

Senior Production Supervisor

Brookside Dairy Ltd
11.2005 - 12.2006

Education

Executive Master’s - Business Administration

Management University of Africa
Kenya
01-2012

Post Graduate Diploma - Packaging Management

Durban University of Technology
Durban, South Africa
01-2014

BSc. - Dairy Science and Food Technology

Egerton University
Kenya
01-2002

Skills

Problem-solving,

Team leadership & development

,Client relationships,

Analytical thinking

Project Management,

Strategic Thinking & Forecasting ,

Strategy Formulation and Implementation

Process Improvements,

Tactical Execution ,

Data analysis and Reporting,

Health and Safety Management,

Food Safety Management and HACCP

Quality management systems,

Internal system auditing,

Strategy development and implementation,

Operational Excellence,

TPM,

SAP,

Global Operations,

Time management,

Goal setting,

Work Planning and Prioritization,

Continuous improvement,

Business analysis and financial control

Accomplishments

  • Head of Manufacturing and Operations | Savannah Brands Ltd
  • Successful and timely coordinated installation and commissioning of a canning and Spirits line, leading to increased efficiency by 25% and reduced labour cost by 50%
  • Streamlined production, Quality, safety and maintenance processes leading to enhanced regulatory and statutory compliance.
  • Introduced Autonomous Maintenance to maintenance technicians leading to a reduction in equipment downtime and maintenance cost by 10%.
  • Operations Manager | BIDCORO Africa Ltd
  • Timely and Successful completion of factory construction, Production machines installation and commissioning, setting up of processes, hiring and training of personnel culminated to a smooth production launch and production efficiency (OEE) to >75%.
  • Led a team of production and warehouse teams to:
  • Reduced Liquid/Juice) process losses from 10% to 2 Million shillings. Reduced dispatch truck turnaround time from 3 hours to 45 minutes.
  • Trained employees on and instilled 5S culture resulting in a factory GMP score of >90% and a reduction of factory safety incidences by 30%.
  • Built a team of happy and satisfied workers with an employee satisfaction score of >8.0 (out of 10) for 3 consecutive years (best in Group).
  • Manufacturing Unit Manager | Nairobi Bottlers Ltd (Coca Cola Beverages Africa)
  • Led production team as the 5S and Autonomous Maintenance pillar leader towards Level 1 factory certification.
  • Carried out an OEE (operational excellence) project which reduced syrup/Liquid loss from 4% to 0.4%) realized savings of > 4 million Kenyan shillings per annum.
  • Established a culture of efficiency and quality around the factory.

Certification

Leadership Development Programme - Denmark (2018 – 2019).

Languages

English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Swahili
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Intermediate (B1)

Timeline

Manufacuring Exellence Consultant/ Business Owner

Self-employeed
01.2023 - Current

Head of Manufacturing and Operations

Savannah Brands Ltd
11.2021 - 12.2022

Operations Manager

BIDCORO Africa Ltd
05.2017 - 08.2021

Manufacturing Unit Manager

Nairobi Bottlers Ltd
12.2011 - 04.2017

Production Team leader /Supervisor

Nairobi Bottlers Ltd
01.2007 - 01.2011

Senior Production Supervisor

Brookside Dairy Ltd
11.2005 - 12.2006

BSc. - Dairy Science and Food Technology

Egerton University

Post Graduate Diploma - Packaging Management

Durban University of Technology

Executive Master’s - Business Administration

Management University of Africa

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GRACE MUENI KIMUYUManufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, COO