Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Half Day

About the position

The Organisation is seeking a dynamic, influential, and highly experienced Chief Executive Officer to lead the association into its next phase of growth and influence. The CEO will be responsible for driving membership expansion, enhancing member engagement, strengthening relationships with government and regulatory bodies, and championing the interests of the industry. This is a strategic leadership role requiring a blend of advocacy, public relations, business development, and operational acumen.

Key Responsibilities:

• Membership Growth & Engagement
• Develop and execute strategies to significantly grow the membership base from 60 to 200 members, actively identifying and recruiting new members across South Africa.
• Cultivate strong relationships with existing members, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and retention.
• Commit to visiting each member annually to understand their needs, challenges, and opportunities.
• Facilitate networking opportunities and knowledge sharing among members.
• Government & Stakeholder Relations
• Act as the primary liaison between the Industry and the South African government, including the Minister of Agriculture and relevant departments.
• Engage proactively with regulatory bodies to ensure that legislation and policies are conducive to the growth and sustainability of the industry.
• Represent the Organisation's interests effectively in policy discussions, legislative reviews, and public forums.
• Advocacy & Industry Representation
• Possess a deep understanding of South African laws and regulations pertaining to the industry, food safety, and trade.
• Continuously study relevant national legislation and global policies that impact the industry.
• Review and analyse proposed legislation and policies and formulate advisory comments and recommendations for the industry.
• Lead the Organisation's advocacy efforts on critical industry issues, such as trade policies, market access, and industry standards.
• Provide leadership and strategic guidance during industry crises, acting as a credible and authoritative voice for the sector.
• Public Relations & Marketing
• Enhance the Organisation's public profile and reputation through strategic PR and marketing initiatives.
• Develop and disseminate key messages to the media, public, and stakeholders.
• Oversee the association's communication channels, including digital platforms and publications.
• Financial Management & Funding
• Oversee the financial health and sustainability of the association.
• Explore and secure diverse funding streams to support the Organisation's operations and initiatives.
• Organisational Development
• Lead the strategic planning and operational execution for the Organisations' continued development and growth.
• Evaluate the need for and potentially establish a physical office space as the association expands.
• Foster a collaborative and efficient working environment, even in a remote/hybrid setup.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Gender: Female candidate preferred.
• Education: A Bachelor's degree in Legal, Marketing, Public Relations, Agriculture, or a related field (e.g. Food Science) is required.
• Experience:
• At least 10-15 years of overall working experience.
• A minimum of 5 years in an executive and strategic leadership role.
• At least 5 years of dedicated experience dealing with government and stakeholder relations.
• Industry Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the South African industry, its value chain, and key players. Familiarity with various processing types and scales is essential.
• Legal & Regulatory Acumen: Strong knowledge of relevant South African legislation, regulations, and policies affecting the agricultural and food processing sectors.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with government officials, regulators, industry leaders, and diverse member groups.
• Crisis Management: Experience in managing and communicating during high-pressure situations or industry-wide crises.
• Communication & PR: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record in public relations, marketing, and media engagement.
• Business Acumen: Strong strategic thinking, business development, and financial management skills.
• Personal Attributes: Presentable, highly professional, diplomatic, persuasive, and an exceptional networker with a strong, discerning, and decisive character.

Working Conditions

• Hours: Approximately 20- 30 hours per week, offering flexibility.
• Flexibility: The role offers the flexibility to work from home, with regular travel required for member visits, government engagements, and industry events.
• Office: While there is currently no physical office, this is a consideration for future development as the association grows.

Desired Skills:

• industry knowledge
• Legal
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Crisis Management

Desired Work Experience:

• More than 10 years

Desired Qualification Level:

• Degree

About The Employer:

The Organisation is a well-established industry body, proudly serving the manufacturing and processing sector for over 30 years. Representing a diverse range of operators, from large-scale operations to numerous smaller-scale independent processors. The Organisation advocates for the interests of all its members, regardless of their processing scale or specific focus.
With a current membership of 60, the Organisation is poised for significant growth, with the potential to easily expand to 200+ members. Our mission is to foster a robust and sustainable industry in South Africa.