OBED ONDUSO

Have over 25 years’ experience in growing all sections of a leading tea value ptroducer into a dynamic and progressive organization. I have experienced in tea producer field services and factory inspection and supervision for 8 years A problem solver, strategic thinker to provide tea factories to overcome field services and production challenges in improving quality performance and achieve set objectives. I have been responsible to translate tea factory business technical requirements and been able to establish mutually beneficial partnerships and relationship with stakeholders. I have been able to increase production, processing quality, marketing thus effectively supporting the business growth and returns. Excel at building and retaining high performing teams by hiring, developing and motivating skilled professionals. I’m known for building strong teams and optimizing organization and delivering high results.

• Institute of Food Technologists. (Networking & Engagement membership)
• Kenya Agribusiness and Agroindustry Alliance.

ZONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER – KTDA (MS) Region 7

• Improved green leaf and made tea quality increasing market absorption by 5%
• Successful supervised farm management strategies which improved production by 5%, Improved tea factory units operations with 80 20 rule improving achieving of se targets by 8%

ZQAM – KTDA (MS) Region 3

• Developed an inspection template easy to implement, Improved stakeholder satisfaction by 8%.
• Diversification of made tea products improving income by 6%.
• Regional Operations Manager/ AG Regional Manager– KTDA (MS) Region 3
• Maintained made tea quality consistency, Implemented fleet management solution which improved logistic cost by 2%., Improved extension services which improved farm productivity from 1kg 1.2kg per tea bush per year

Factory Unit Manager | KTDA Managed Factories

• Improved quality and safety of made tea product which improved revenues by 6%.
• Maintained health safety and environment processing requirement reducing accidents
• Overseeing contracted service providers met quality and safety requirements
• Presentation of timely data analysis and report submission for management decisions.
• Commended for successful commissioning new factory best quality and safe product which sold the highest price in Mombasa auction Rianyamwamu.
• Coordinated successful implementation of regulatory and certification in ISO QMS FSMS fair trade, Rain Forest alliance which has increased market penetration by 6%.
• Training of production staff which improved productivity per man day by 9%

• Certificate in leadership development and mentorship, Stanford Graduate School of business, February 2018.
• ISO 14000 Environment, Cardinal Links
• OHS Industrial Perspective, Interlude, February 2004.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, BQVI, February 2008. And November 2023
• ISO 22000 Lead Auditors, BVQI, November 2008.
• HR Policy and Labor Law, KTDA HR, April 2010.
• Leadership & Corporate Governance.
• Front Office Computer Applications
• Accounts for non-finance managers KCA University.
• Soft skills like time management, delegation

ZONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER – KTDA (MS), KTDA, July 2022 - Present

• Reporting to various respective factory boards of directors on overall business strategy with about 42,000 farmers.
• Spearheaded the development and execution of market-based conservation initiatives, focusing on field services and factory operations, finance, ICT, technical service, corporate communications, Marketing, foundation, research and development, microfinance, insurance and renewable energy.
• Led a team of management professionals in various fields, fostering a positive work environment and ensuring alignment with the organization's vision and values.
• Established and maintained long-term partnerships with stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, certification bodies, and donors.,
• Represented the organization at key events, presentations, and policy forums, enhancing visibility and credibility.
• Collaborated with the Communications department to develop and disseminate communications and marketing materials.
• Played a pivotal role in building a robust talent strategy, resulting in high employee retention and an efficient organization with a positive culture.
• Drive foundations social corporate responsibilities in sponsoring about over 100 students per year, bee keeping, goat rearing, milk collection coolers, school library, and provision of clean water, clean energy, and environmental conservation.

REGIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER KTDA MS REGION 3, KTDA, July 2020 – June 2022

• Conducting quarterly field services and factory inspections. This done through factory visits, measurements taking of data, and reports to gain inside the processes.
• Working with factories to understand their needs and agreeing strategies to implement.
• Detecting factory issues, root cause analysis corrections and corrective actions.
• Conducting monthly tea tasting sessions with field and factory management, Spearhead the implementation of a mission-driven strategy, resulting in improved program outcomes and enhanced regional factories efficiency.
• Lead a high-performing team responsible for program management, ensuring that all goals and objectives are met.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to represent the organization to external stakeholders, fostering crucial relationships with governmental, community, and private organizations.
• Oversee fiscal management, ensuring the continued financial viability of program units.
• Develop strategic plan, annual budgets, and business strategy board papers.
• Monitoring and evaluation of factory business progress.
• Diversification of tea to orthodox and specialty tea markets, Established and maintained compliance with relevant legal and ethical standards, in alignment with the organization's mission and values.
• Collaborated with country-level leadership to ensure adherence to statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Management of tea farm operations in mother bush development, nursery propagation, farm husbandry, research and development in the farm., Compliance with Farmers field school methodology training and Rain forest certification

Factory Unit Manager, KTDA (MS)  (Kimunye / Nyansiongo / Rukuriri - Tea Factories), March 2011 – June 2020

• Providing overall administrative and technical aspects of the different sections in the factory to ensure the factory run efficiently thus increasing revenues, Monitored and evaluation achievement of Factory processing quality and safety KPIs for maintaining certifications.
• Approve all accounting and internal control documentation thus reducing cost of production by 7%.
• Coordinated swift handling of customer complaints and customer feedback which improved customer satisfaction by 10%.
• Ensure legal regulatory and customer requirements are met e.g. fair trade, ethical partnership, and rain forest QMS and FSMS ISO certifications.,
• Assisting in donor funded proposal and implementation e.g. milk cooler, bee keeping, goat keeping, school library among others.

Production Manager, KTDA (MS) (Kangaita / Ndima / Chebut / Gianchore / Kathangariri / Rianyamwamu - Tea Factories), July 2002 - February 2011

• Overseeing operations of the process facility, production process, product quality control, packing and dispatch of finished product. This improved stock accountability.
• Ensured optimum utilization of resources and creation of enabling environment with view of achieving quality, safety, production goals and objectives thus improved customer satisfaction.
• Tracking production schedules and cost adjustments to ensure everything runs efficiently and smoothly.
• Enforced environmental health, safety, regulation measures and market standards for which company is certified.

Management Trainee, KTDA (MS) Michimikuru, Iriani, August 1998 – June 2002

Board of Management, Randani Secondary School, 2018-2021

• The school academic performance of the school from mean grade improved from 4.2 to 6.3.
• Increased enrollment of students by 15%

• Kanja Mwangi Thuku, General Manager Operations, KTDA MS, P.O Box 30213, 00100, +254 (0) 722337888, kthuku@ktdateas.com
• Sudi Biko Matara, General Manager, KTDA Holding Foundation, P.O Box 30213, 00100, +254 (0) 722731356, Smatara@ktdateas.com
• Canon Charles Komu Gikunju, St Thomas ACK-Cathedral - Kerugoya, P.O. Box 476, Kerugoya, 10300, +254 (0) 722892526, ckgikunju007@gmail.com
• Josephat Onsare Michoma, Former KTDA MS Regional Manager, P.O. box 376-30200, Kitale, +254 (0) 722106980, sahlymich61@gmail.com