Operations Manager at Grounded

Operations Manager
REPORTING TO: COO (Alison) / CEO (Megan)
Magana, Kiambu (HQ) | Full Time
Job Grade: 5–6

Company Overview:
Grounded is a women-run manufacturer of non-toxic home and personal care
products powered by Kenyan ingredients. Founded in 2017, Grounded
manufactures over 50 products to convert homes and businesses to the new
clean, distributes to supermarkets, directly to consumers, and businesses - with a
growing focus on East African & global export.

Joining our Team:
At Grounded, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace
where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their
unique perspectives. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental values and
drivers of innovation, creativity, and success.

Role Description
We are looking for a hands-on, solutions-focused Operations Manager to lead our
factory and operational teams daily. This role is the glue between departments -
ensuring production, procurement, facilities, HR, IT, and inventory work
seamlessly together. You will own production and inventory planning, develop
and maintain operational systems, and ensure teams deliver results without
constant escalation to senior leadership.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, data-savvy, and thrives in turning
complex processes into clear, efficient workflows. You will be accountable for both
day-to-day execution and long-term operational improvements that drive
Grounded’s growth.
You will be a senior member of the team - joining the co-founders in strategic
planning, KPI / target setting, and overall business trajectory planning.

What You’ll Do
Production & Inventory Management
● Lead and oversee daily production operations, ensuring output meets
quality, efficiency, and safety standards.
● Develop and execute production schedules aligned to sales and inventory
needs.
● Demand planning & forecasting - getting ahead of sales/demand trends,
aligning with our production flows and timelines
● Manage inventory controls to ensure raw materials and finished goods are
available without overstocking.

Order Fulfillment & Logistics
● Manage operations team including logistics, planning, and order fulfillment
teams to ensure timely and accurate fulfillment of orders
● Attention to AR and payments
● Use of ERPs (Zoho Inventory, Books, Analytics) to ensure proper fulfillment
and order tracking
● Oversee domestic and export logistics providers and systems
Systems, Tools & SOPs
● Implement and refine operational systems and tools to streamline
workflows across departments.
● Ensure SOPs are created, documented, and consistently used—balancing
proliferation with meaningful impact.
● Use data analytics to identify bottlenecks, measure performance, and drive
operational decision-making.

Cross-Functional Leadership
● Manage and develop the Operations team, Production Manager, Facilities,
HR, IT, and Procurement teams.
● Ensure smooth coordination between departments, especially where
workflows overlap.
● Act as the point person for operational decision-making in the absence of
the COO/CEO.

Data & Reporting
● Produce and review department financial reports, tracking budgets,
expenses, and operational KPIs.
● Maintain robust controls for procurement, stock management, and
operational expenditures.
Continuous Improvement
● Identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiency gains, and quality
improvements.
● Lead problem-solving sessions and implement changes that deliver
measurable results.

What You’ll Need
● 5+ years in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain leadership roles
(FMCG experience preferred).
● Strong systems thinking skills—able to design, connect, and improve
processes across functions.
● Demonstrated ability to manage multiple teams and workstreams.
● Proficiency with operational software, inventory tools, and data analysis
(Excel, Zoho, or similar).
● Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.
● A practical mindset with an eye for detail and a bias for action.
● Experience with forecasting, demand planning, and coordination between
production/procurement and sales.
● Strong people management skills - with experience managing 5-10 staff
directly

What Success Looks Like
● Factory operations run smoothly without daily escalation to senior
leadership.
● SOPs are actively used, kept up-to-date, and delivering measurable
improvements.
● Production and inventory align seamlessly with sales forecasts and
customer needs.
● Operational reports are timely, accurate, and used to make informed
decisions.
● Cross-department collaboration results in faster, clearer outcomes.
Compensation
● Commensurate with experience. This is a senior position of a growing
company.

To apply 

Send your information through our job application form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbHr--yyBwW58LNJ6XBV--B0WJ9LIymuyEeZxCYmrm6I_ZzQ/viewform