Obed Mokua
General Manager - Sub Saharan Africa
NAIROBI
Summary
Performance-oriented Commercial and Marketing Development leader offering exceptional record of achievement over fifteen-year career. Tenacious manager with strategic and analytical approach to solving problems, bringing in customers, turning products into revenue and accomplishing profit targets. Talented in identifying and capitalizing on emerging market trends and revenue opportunities. Diligent in building and retaining accounts by providing support and attentive service. Expertise in Project management, media advertising, marketing strategies, product development promotion and merchandising to achieve market penetration. Successful team leader with passion of leading Agricultural enterprise with a record of expanding network connections through persuasive brand imaging and report writing skills.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
General Manager – Eastern Africa
ATESOILS EAST AFRICA LIMITED
Nairobi
05.2024 - Current
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Managed and leveraged on a strategic sales revenue growth by soliciting new product portfolio to surpass the current USD 40 million annual target projection.
- Own end-to-end deals cycles for distribution and channel partners in Agro supplies and bio-energy for the business enterprise and Agro input distribution.
- Turning products into revenue by consistently seeking value in every tender from County government, Key Contractors and channels while driving for revenue growth
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Managed to scale the heights of the organization to a regional level through product sourcing and delivery by setting a unique go to market strategy.
- Managed to improve profitability by 35% revenue growth through collaboration with KCEP, distribution Channels, Key government initiatives through the County executives, ensured meeting corporate clients in floriculture industry and ensured traffic flow of customers to its offices for services.
- Created a loyalty program by initiating an SMS interactive platform between the organization and her clients that has planted smiles to farming families.
- Facilitated in workshops and strategy sessions to gather insights from key stakeholders and drive collective strategic thinking.
- Served as a strategic advisor to leadership and EXCO teams, offering insights and recommendations to improve the company’s competitive edge and performance.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
- Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
- Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
- Developed and executed strategic plans for business growth and expansion, resulting in increased market share.
- Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- Analyzed market trends/data to identify potential opportunities for business growth within existing or emerging markets successfully.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Directed comprehensive sales efforts to exceed revenue targets consistently while maintaining customer satisfaction levels.
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives that enhanced operational performance across all departments.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
Commercial Manager – Eastern Africa Region
RNZ International
Nairobi
05.2020 - 05.2024
- Streamlined internal processes by identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes to increase efficiency.
- Increased market share 25% by improving responsiveness and timeliness to customer needs.
- Developed Go to market and Growth strategic plans to encourage business growth, increasing profits by 55%.
- Increased sales by $ 120,000 by issuing surveys to customers and interpreting results.
- Built relationships with clients to establish new contracts.
- Negotiated contracts and product prices by collaborating with vendors and developers.
Regional Sales Manager – Eastern Africa
RNZ International
Nairobi
10.2019 - 12.2020
- People and team placement, performances, analyzing data trends to determine best methods to improve sales results.
- Inventory management to optimize sales pitches that has over 80% sales turn over within a sales cycle.
- Channel Management on regular basis to resolve concerns, manage order fulfilment and promote new products and services.
- Customer interface person for the Company and achieved high satisfaction scores by routinely re-assessing needs and resolving conflicts.
- Create new sales and marketing strategies to drive growth.
- Explored new business territories while driving to overcome sales obstacles.
- Search for new stakeholders’ collaboration from Private and Public Partnerships in the East African region.
- RNZ International Is a professionally managed company and lead supplier of Agri inputs to South & South East Asia, Africa and MENA region. Headquartered in Dubai, it produces over 400 plus different NPK grades of water soluble, granular, suspension & liquid grades at its state-of-art facility in Jebel Ali.
- Successfully managed to set up a new Company in Kenya from Scratch – Purti Agrotech Limited that currently serves east Africa territory for all range of granular and soluble fertilizer.
- Opened and managed 50 accounts through order fulfilment and product counter promotion and sales services.
- Searched for stakeholders, channel distributors and/ or partners to assist in distribution of the fertilizer products to the end user.
- Reason for leaving: Business was affected by COVID-19 Scotch and most distribution and cross boundary business were shut down.
Senior Sales Manager
Corteva Agriscience (DuPont Pioneer)
Nairobi
07.2015 - 06.2019
- Managed and motivated sales team to increase revenue 257% in 3 years.
- Worked diligently to resolve unique and recurring complaints, promoting loyalty and enhancing operations.
- Directed work of efficient administrative team maintaining accurate sales, inventory and order documentation.
- Monitored customer buying trends, market conditions and competitor actions to adjust advertising strategies and achieve sales goals.
- Established ambitious sales targets, managed deployment strategies and developed go-to-market plans to capitalize on every revenue opportunity.
- Formulated and presented innovative strategies to team members, executives and customers to build foundation for successful sales plans.
- Forecasted sales of $ 15,750,000 and set successful policies to achieve 125% of objective.
- Corteva Agriscience is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers around the world with the most complete portfolio. The Company is founded after the 50:50 equal merger of Dow, DuPont and Pioneer spin in 2019. Its market share and assets are traded in NYSE with several branches across the globe.
- Reason for leaving: I voted to resign after our roles become absolute after the merger in 2019.
Regional Agronomist Manager
Pioneer Hi-Bred Kenya Limited
Kenya
06.2012 - 07.2015
- Gave benefit-oriented, polished presentations driving dramatic revenue growth across multiple sales channels.
- Established 35 new accounts worth over $550,000 annually.
- Contacted key accounts regularly and achieved high satisfaction scores by routinely re-assessing needs and resolving conflicts.
- Delivered consistent and relevant feedback to sales personnel to improve telephone and selling skills.
- Held weekly meetings with Sales representatives to identify techniques to overcome sales obstacles.
- Achieved regional sales goal of $1,735,000 by completing audits, resolving problems, training staff members and completing action plans.
Product Development Manager
Seedco International
Nairobi
01.2011 - 05.2012
- Hosted product demonstrations and promoted value preposition to key account clients.
- Key media Company ambassador on radio and TV across East, South and Central Africa (ESCA).
- Maintained internal product knowledge database.
- Approved final photography and go to marketing materials for each product.
- Supported future project development through drafting of marketing requirements materials.
- Conducted trials and tests of marketing channels such as paid acquisition, social media and fresh content creation.
- Implemented marketing strategies which resulted in 590% growth of customer base.
- Go to market (Field trial lead) for Seedco products in Kenya.
- Seed Co Kenya is a certified international seed Company based in Zimbabwe; whose interest spans across hybrid research, Production, and Commercial availability of hybrid seeds to both small – and large – scale farmers with the mission of seeding and feeding Africa. Main product is corn and horticultural vegetables. It has research stations in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya and South Africa and operating in 15 countries in South and Eastern Africa territories. It’s a subsidiary of Lima grain that acquired a stake in 2015.
- Reason for leaving: I was pouched by DuPont Pioneer to help start a SBU in Kenya after the third party (FarmChem Limited) pulled out of product distribution. To me this was career growth having received blessings from my line manager – then the Country Manager and now Seed Co Prime MD Africa.
Territory Sales Representative
Syngenta East Africa Limited
Kisii, Western Kenya
03.2006 - 12.2010
- Streamlined territory management process, resulting in more efficient time allocation for account visits.
- Increased territory sales by cultivating strong relationships with new and existing clients.
- Delivered exceptional post-sales support by ensuring client inquiries were addressed quickly while maintaining regular communication.
- Streamlined sales process by introducing innovative CRM tools, which facilitated more efficient client management.
- Maintained relationships with established accounts and prospected new retailers by calling on customers and engaging prospects in person.
- Organized successful promotional events within the territory that drove brand awareness and generated new leads for the company.
- Increased sales with execution of full sales cycle processing from initial lead processing through conversion and closing.
- Met existing customers to review current services and expand sales opportunities.
Education
MBA - Strategic Management and Communications
Kisii University
Kisii, 16 01.2012 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Horticulture
Moi University
Eldoret, 44 01.1999 - 01.2004
Skills
Team leadership
Project management
- Operations management
- Customer relationship management
Current Remuneration
78400, Set on Performance, 7% of 20% Profit Share, Insurance plans, Corporate Discounts, Paid vacation, Retirement Plans, Paid Sick Leaves, Performance Bonus, Employee Training, Company Car
Salary Expectations
85000, 95000
Personal Information
- Notice Period: 2 Months
- Nationality: Kenyan
Known As
Obed
Timeline
General Manager – Eastern Africa
ATESOILS EAST AFRICA LIMITED
05.2024 - Current
Commercial Manager – Eastern Africa Region
RNZ International
05.2020 - 05.2024
Regional Sales Manager – Eastern Africa
RNZ International
10.2019 - 12.2020
Senior Sales Manager
Corteva Agriscience (DuPont Pioneer)
07.2015 - 06.2019
Regional Agronomist Manager
Pioneer Hi-Bred Kenya Limited
06.2012 - 07.2015
MBA - Strategic Management and Communications
Kisii University
01.2012 - 01.2016
Product Development Manager
Seedco International
01.2011 - 05.2012
Territory Sales Representative
Syngenta East Africa Limited
03.2006 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Science - Horticulture
Moi University
01.1999 - 01.2004