Expansion Project Manager

Title: Expansion Project Manager

Location: Kenya

Reports to: Snr Expansion Manager

About Food 4 Education

Food for Education (F4E) is an African-led, women-led social enterprise that uses technology, smart operations, and logistics to provide low-cost, high-quality meals that improve nutrition and education outcomes for primary school children in Kenya.

We are growing quickly. Our mission is to scale models that prioritize efficient supply chain management and sustainable sourcing, so we can continue lowering the cost of school lunches. We have delivered over 40,000,000 meals since 2012 and are expanding to reach our goal of serving at least 1,000,000 public primary school students in Kenya every day by 2027.

Our Values

At Food for Education, our values are guiding principles that provide us with purpose and direction and set the tone for our interactions with all stakeholders:

• Build with excellence and curiosity - We’re not afraid to try new things and iterate as much as we can to find the best and most efficient way to get results;
• Be the change you seek - We acknowledge that continuous improvement is a shared responsibility;
• We do what we say; and say what we do - We embrace an ownership mentality;
• Ask why; and commit- Share openly and question respectfully and commit fully. When we understand the why, we are able to work with a purpose.

Position Overview:

As the Expansion Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning, coordinating and managing construction projects across all Food For Education new and existing locations. Your responsibilities will include developing and managing project budgets, creating detailed schedules and overseeing resource allocation to ensure optimal execution. You will conduct regular site inspections, review construction plans and specifications, identify potential risks, implement proactive measures to mitigate them, and verify that all the work is performed to the highest quality standards. You will also be responsible for critical projects associated with the improvement of existing facilities in an effort to ensure all Kitchen locations are adhering to Food For Education standards. 

Key Responsibilities:

Expansion Planning 

• Scoping for new kitchen locations and assessing viability of existing structures 
• Overseeing the design of site-specific structures 
• Work in close collaboration with consulted architects and quantity surveyors to ensure kitchen designs meet standards and cost specifications
• Planning, coordinating and managing all phases of construction projects, including project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closeout.
• Establishing project objectives, scope and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders and ensuring alignment with client requirements.
• Developing and managing project schedules, budgets and resource allocations to ensure cost efficiency and timely delivery.
• Liaising with architects, engineers, contractors and subcontractors to monitor construction progress, resolve issues and ensure compliance with specifications and quality standards.
• Managing procurement processes, including bid evaluations, contract negotiations and vendor selection.
• Oversee project budgeting and cost control and manage change orders to ensure adherence to budgetary constraints.
• Conduct regular site inspections to assess project progress, identify risks, and ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain effective communication with project team members and stakeholders to provide project updates, address concerns and foster strong working relationships. 

Project Management 

• Develop comprehensive project plans, including timelines, resource allocations and procurement strategies.
• Coordinate and oversee construction activities, ensuring adherence to project schedules and specifications.
• Evaluate and select contractors and subcontractors based on qualifications, experience and cost-effectiveness.
• Monitor project progress, track key performance indicators (KPIs) and report on project status to stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and legal requirements, prioritising a safe working environment for all involved.
• Manage construction project documentation, including contracts, permits, drawings and change orders.
• Conduct regular meetings to facilitate communication, address challenges and to meet project objectives.
• Provide regular updates and reports on project status, including milestones, budget updates, and any significant developments or risks.
• Implement and enforce safety protocols and ensure compliance with local building codes and regulations.
• Carry out thorough project evaluations and assessments to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary corrective measures.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the project team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.

Team Management

• Provide leadership to the operations team in a manner fit to fulfil the organization's objectives and in line with the code of practice.
• Manage team performance to ensure that the key Organization objectives under business operations are achieved.
• Manage individual performance for direct reports and sub-level reports through appropriate performance management systems and assessments.
• Take leadership in resolving any disciplinary or team dynamics issues that may arise in collaboration with the People Team.
• Ensure that there is effective communication between the team members by implementing effective communication policies and procedures.
• Ensure that there is effective communication between the operations department and other departments.
• Lead recruitment of Associates within the department
• Actively engage in upskilling the team to foster continuous improvement.

Leadership

• Provide overall leadership of the business unit to ensure that the team is committed to the company’s objectives.
• Regularly update management on operations status and prepare reports and presentations.
• Participate in management meetings and contribute in ideation and decision-making to help fashion the business direction.
• Ensure that the all-new builds remain compliant in line with the government, clients, regulators and local authorities' requirements.
• Ensure compliance with the organization’s policies and procedures, and act as a champion for its culture and values.
• Any other duties or roles that may be added to you.

Desired Candidate Profile 

• A bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in construction project management, with a track record of successfully delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Strong knowledge of construction methodologies, building codes and safety regulations in the Indian context.
• Excellent project management skills, including effective planning, organising and prioritising tasks.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting technical documents, including project blueprints and construction schematics.
• Strong leadership and communication skills to manage project teams and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in construction management software, project scheduling tools and cost estimation software.
• Familiarity with sustainable construction practices and green building certifications.

We are an equal-opportunity employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, colour, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

Career Growth and Development

We have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people. You will have weekly check-ins with your manager, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You will have the opportunity to shape a growing organisation and build a rewarding, long-term career.

Deadline: 05th December 2024

We aim to contact all our applicants, but due to the high volume of applications only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If you do not hear from us within two weeks your application might not be successful on this occasion. This does not mean you will not be considered for future roles so please keep an eye on our job board and apply for positions that match your skills and experience.