General Manager-Regional Operations & Commercial Growth

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WILLIAM K. MAKAI

Managing Director Country Manager Regional Commercial Executive

Nairobi, Kenya

Phone: +254-*********

Email: *********@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Senior executive leader with over 20 years of experience managing commercial operations, business growth, leading multi-country leadership, and regional P&L performance across East, Central, and Southern Africa.

Strong expertise in general management, commercial strategy, operational leadership, sales and marketing management, business transformation, profitability improvement, distributor management, and market expansion within FMCG, manufacturing, exports, and distribution sectors.

Proven track record of driving revenue growth, improving operational efficiency, leading organizational restructuring, and building high-performing teams across dynamic African markets.

CORE COMPETENCIES

General Management

Managing Director Leadership

Country Management

Regional P&L Management

Commercial Strategy

Revenue Growth

Sales & Marketing Leadership

Business Development

Market Expansion

Route-to-Market Strategy

Distributor Management

Export Market Development

Operational Leadership

Budgeting & Forecasting

Profitability Management

Team Leadership

Organizational Development

Strategic Planning

Business Transformation

Stakeholder Management

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Scaled annual revenues beyond KES 1.6B across regional markets.

Expanded export sales by 20% across East, Central, and Southern Africa.

Delivered KES 33M in cost optimization savings while maintaining business growth. 2

Improved market coverage and outlet growth by 30% through route-to-market restructuring.

Managed commercial operations across 9 African countries.

Implemented CRM systems that improved customer engagement and sales visibility.

Built and led high-performing regional commercial teams. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Career Transition & Professional Development

March 2025 -To -Date

I dedicated this period to strengthen my professional capabilities and evaluate strategic career opportunities.

Pursuing professional development in leadership, business strategy, corporate governance, and organizational transformation.

Expanding expertise in business development, sales management, and operational excellence.

Building and maintaining professional networks across multiple industries.

Researching and assessing executive leadership and board governance opportunities.

Remaining current with market trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices. This period enhanced my strategic perspective and prepared me for senior leadership responsibilities in dynamic, growth-oriented organizations. ZEELANDIA EAST AFRICA (Royal Zeelandia Group, Netherlands) Managing Director - East Africa

January 2022 - January 2025

Led regional commercial and operational strategy across East Africa.

Managed full regional P&L accountability and profitability performance.

Directed finance, HR, supply chain, sales, production, and technical operations.

Improved operational efficiency through restructuring and performance management initiatives.

Strengthened customer engagement and commercial execution through CRM implementation.

Advised senior leadership on market expansion, business risks, and growth opportunities.

Built leadership capability and strengthened organizational accountability. General Manager - East Africa

March 2021 - December 2021

Led integrated business operations across sales, marketing, procurement, logistics, finance, and HR.

Managed regional business performance and operational controls.

Improved customer service, execution discipline, and business continuity.

Supported organizational transition and leadership alignment initiatives. TRUFOODS LIMITED

Head of Sales & Marketing - East & Southern Africa May 2013 - November 2020

Led regional sales and marketing operations across East and Southern Africa.

Delivered annual revenues exceeding KES 1.6B through commercial growth initiatives.

Expanded distributor networks and strengthened route-to-market execution.

Managed pricing strategy, profitability, and commercial planning. 3

Increased market penetration across GT, MT, HORECA, institutional, and B2B channels.

Built and coached high-performing regional sales teams. Export Manager - East, Central & Southern Africa

April 2012 - April 2013

Managed export market development across regional African markets.

Increased export sales by 20% through distributor expansion and stronger market execution.

Managed export compliance, distributor on boarding, and trade documentation. EARLIER CAREER EXPERIENCE

Premier Food Industries Ltd / All Fruit EPZ Ltd

Export Officer - East, Central & Southern Africa 2010 - 2012 Spinners & Spinners Ltd

Assistant Manager - Exports 2006 - 2010

Various Organizations

Sales Manager / Area Manager / Sales Roles 1991 - 2006 EDUCATION

Diploma in International Relation & Global Politics: Cambridge International College, Britain(2024 - 2026)

Strategy,Quality & Contemporary Business Concerns: Cambridge International College, Britain(2024 - 2026)

Master’s in Business Management (Marketing):

Northern Ireland University,British(2017- 2019)

Diploma in International Business & Trade:

Cambridge International College, Britain(2012- 2013)

Advanced Certificate in Management & Human Resources: Institute of Professional Managers & Administrators, UK (2012-2013)

Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing : Royal Ireland Institute-Ireland (2007- 2008)

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management & Honours Group Diploma in BA: Cambridge International College-Britain(2003 - 2006)

Diplomas in SMM,PMM & BA:

College of Professional Management-Britain(1993 - 1997) PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & CERTIFICATIONS

Fellow Life Member - Institute of Professional Managers & Administrators (UK)

Member - Royal Ireland Institute of Business & Technology

Certified - Accreditation Syndicate for Education & Training (ASET), UK

Certified - Evaluation & Accreditation of Learning Providers(EALP), UK

Certified - Institute of Leadership Management(ILM CITY &GUILDS),UK

Comprehensive Writing Course-Writers Bureau,Manchester,UK 4

LANGUAGES

English - Full Professional Proficiency

Swahili-Full Professional Proficiency

REFERENCES

Available upon request

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