About the role
1. POSITION SUMMARY
The Deputy General Manager (DGM) is a member of the senior leadership team and acts as the strategic and operational right hand to the General Manager.
The role carries end-to-end accountability for day-to-day performance across departments: driving operational efficiency and quality on the production floor, growing revenue through the sales and showroom network, keeping the business financially disciplined, and building a strong, accountable management team. The DGM is expected to identify problems before they escalate, bring the GM well-formed options rather than open questions, and represent the company credibly with customers, suppliers, financiers, and regulators.
2. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 Strategic Leadership & Business Planning
Co-develop the company's strategic vision, annual business plan, and budget with the General Manager as required.
Translate strategy into department level goals, KPIs, and execution plans; track delivery and course-correct where targets slip.
Conduct market, competitor, and industry analysis (furniture manufacturing and retail) to identify growth opportunities, pricing moves, and emerging risks.
Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives (new product lines, new showrooms/branches, market expansion, capacity expansion).
2.2 Operations, Production & Supply Chain Management
Oversee day-to-day operations across manufacturing/production, warehousing, logistics, and showrooms, ensuring targets for output, quality, cost, and delivery timelines are met.
Monitor production planning and capacity utilization; resolve bottlenecks affecting throughput, lead times, or order fulfillment.
Oversee procurement and supplier/vendor management for raw materials, ensuring supply continuity, cost control, and quality standards.
Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement across production and customer-facing operations, minimizing defects, rework, and returns.
2.3 Sales, Customer Experience & Business Development
Support the sales and marketing function in growing revenue across showrooms, corporate/project sales, and any export or B2B channels.
Monitor showroom performance, customer satisfaction, and after-sales service standards; address recurring customer complaints at a systemic level.
Identify new business opportunities new customer segments, partnerships, projects, or distribution channels and bring viable proposals to the GM.
2.4 Financial Management
Partner with Finance to develop and manage departmental and company budgets, monitor financial performance against plan, and flag variances early.
Identify and act on cost-saving opportunities and revenue-growth levers across production, procurement, and sales.
Review key financial and operational reports (P&L by unit, cash flow, working capital, production cost per unit) and translate findings into management action.
Approve expenditures within delegated authority limits and ensure sound financial controls are followed across departments.
2.5 People Leadership & Organizational Development
Provide direction, coaching, and performance management to department heads and managers, building a strong second layer of leadership.
Conduct regular performance reviews of direct reports and departments; monitor KPI achievement and hold managers accountable.
Support recruitment, development, and succession planning for key management positions, in coordination with HR.
Foster a positive, high-performance culture and strong collaboration across departments to eliminate silos.
2.6 Risk, Compliance & Governance
Identify operational, financial, market, and supply-chain risks; develop and implement mitigation and contingency plans.
Ensure company operations comply with relevant Ethiopian labor, tax, trade, environmental, health and safety, and industry regulations.
Ensure occupational health and safety standards are maintained across the factory floor, warehouses, and showrooms.
Safeguard company assets, IP, and confidential information; escalate compliance breaches promptly.
2.7 Stakeholder Management & Representation
Represent the company in dealings with key customers, suppliers, financiers, government bodies, and industry associations as delegated by the GM.
Prepare and present reports, dashboards, and business updates to the General Manager, CEO, and Board as required.
Collaborate closely with the GM on complex decisions, crisis management, and any matters materially affecting the business.
2.8 Deputizing & General Management
Act with full management authority in the GM's absence, ensuring continuity of decision-making and daily operations.
Oversee or personally lead special projects and initiatives assigned by the General Manager.
Perform other duties as reasonably assigned by the General Manager consistent with the seniority of the role.
3. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (illustrative)
Achievement of company/department revenue, margin, and profitability targets.
On-time, in-full production and delivery performance; production cost per unit vs. budget.
Quality metrics: defect/return rate, customer complaint resolution time and rate.
Budget adherence and identified cost savings / revenue growth delivered.
Employee retention and performance of direct reports; leadership pipeline strength.
Timely, accurate reporting to the GM/Board and successful delivery of assigned strategic projects.
4. PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering, or a related field (required).
MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification (preferred).
Experience
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in senior management, including at least 3–5 years in a role overseeing multiple functions (operations, sales, finance, or similar).
Experience in manufacturing, furniture or a similar production/retail environment strongly preferred.
Demonstrated track record of leading teams and delivering measurable business results.
Knowledge, Skills & Competencies
Strong commercial and strategic thinking; able to analyze markets, data, and financials to make sound, timely decisions.
Solid working knowledge of financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
Working understanding of production/manufacturing operations, supply chain, and quality management principles.
Excellent leadership skills able to motivate, coach, and hold managers accountable across diverse departments.
Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills, including with government and regulatory bodies.
High integrity, sound judgment under pressure, and comfort deputizing with full authority.
Familiarity with the furniture manufacturing/retail industry, its trends, competitors, and challenges is a strong plus.
Proficiency with business systems (ERP, reporting dashboards, MS Office) is an advantage.
Working at Minaye PLC — Deluxe Furniture
- Private health coverFor you and your immediate family
- 25 days paid leavePlus all public holidays
- Home office budget30,000 ETB to set up your space
- Learning stipendAnnual budget for courses and conferences
- Parental leave16 weeks fully paid, all parents
- Transport allowanceMonthly stipend for commuting days