Assistant Processing Manager – Fish Processing

Location: Roo Bay Farm, Homabay County

Are you a hands-on processing professional with the drive to deliver consistent, high-quality, and efficient fish processing operations?

We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Processing Manager to support the Head of Processing Operations at Victory Farms Kenya. The role is responsible for overseeing daily processing activities, ensuring production targets, quality standards, food safety requirements, and operational efficiency are consistently achieved.

You will supervise processing teams, monitor quality and compliance, and ensure the effective use of people, equipment, and materials. As we scale operations, you will also drive continuous improvement, reduce waste, and ensure safe, efficient, and consistent execution across the processing facility.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can turn production plans and operational standards into disciplined execution while maintaining high standards of food safety, quality, productivity, and team performance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Processing Operations
   • Assist in planning, organizing, and monitoring daily fish processing activities.
   • Ensure production schedules are achieved within the required timelines.
   • Monitor resource utilization and minimize product losses and wastage.
   • Coordinate receiving, gutting, washing, sorting, chilling and dispatch operations.
   • Ensure efficient use of labour, equipment, and processing facilities within the processing to optimize productivity.

2.Quality and Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with relevant food safety, and other food safety standards.
• Work closely with the Quality Control department to maintain product specifications.
• Monitor product quality throughout the processing chain.
• Investigate quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure traceability requirements are maintained and documented.

3. Team Management

• Supervise production supervisors, line leaders, and processing operators/line leaders.
• Conduct daily briefings and allocate work responsibilities.
• Train employees on processing procedures, food safety, hygiene, and workplace safety.
• Monitor employee performance and recommend improvements where necessary.
• Promote teamwork and a positive work environment.

4. Equipment and Maintenance

• Coordinate with the maintenance department to ensure equipment reliability.
• Report machinery breakdowns and support preventive maintenance activities.
• Ensure processing equipment is operated according to standard operating procedures.

5. Inventory and Cost Control

• Monitor processing yields and production efficiencies.
• Support inventory control of products including fish transfers to the ERP system.
• Assist in controlling operational costs and improving productivity.
• Prepare production reports and analyse processing key performance indicators set for the department and ensure they are met (KPIs).

6. Reporting

• Prepare and submit daily, weekly, and monthly production reports.
• Monitor production metrics including yield, throughput, waste, downtime, and labour productivity.
• Diagnose and resolve challenges experienced within the processing plant
• Support management in continuous improvement initiatives.

   Qualifications and Requirements

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries Technology, Food Science, Food Processing or a related field.
2. Postgraduate qualification in Operations Management, Food Safety, Business Administration, or a related discipline will be an added advantage.
3. HACCP, ISO 22000, BRCGS, GMP, Food Safety Management Systems, or related certifications are highly desirable.
4. Minimum 5-7 years of progressive experience in fish processing, seafood manufacturing, food processing, or a related production environment.
5. At least 3 years of experience in a senior supervisory or management role, leading teams in a high-volume processing operation.
6. Demonstrated experience in production planning, cold chain management, storage and dispatch operations.
7. Proven track record of achieving production targets, optimizing resources, and driving operational efficiency.
8. Experience in managing supervisors, production teams, and cross-functional departments.
9. Strong background in food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

Benefit

• Visibility into the world’s fastest growing aquaculture company.
• Ideal for a candidate looking to dive into a mission-oriented Organization.
• The team is committed to the candidate’s success and will provide coaching, mentorship, and unique exposure to people and experiences that come from the most successful leaders in the entrepreneurial community and the social sector.

About Victory Farms

Victory Farms (VF) was established on Lake Victoria in 2016 with both on-shore and off-shore facilities. The head office is in Nairobi, and its Farm site is in Homa Bay County, with distribution across Kenya. VF has since become one of the fastest growing companies in aquaculture globally. In its first eight months of operation, the Company became the largest aquaculture producer in Kenya. Victory Farms aims to become the leading tilapia farm in Africa over the next 5 years while maintaining the highest environmental and social standards; as the most sustainable tilapia farm in the world, adhering to global standards and best practices, and producing affordable, sustainable protein to feed millions of people across Africa. Today, it is the largest commercial aquaculture player in East Africa and operates one of largest hatcheries on the continent.

The Company is continuing to rapidly expand its vertically integrated model: production, processing, and sales & distribution, to keep pace with the rapid growth in demand for protein. To support this, Victory Farms employs world class technologies, people, and processes to build its model for sustainable protein production on the continent. VF strives for the highest standards in performance, execution, culture, and integrity.

VF’s growth trajectory provides enormous opportunity for excited professionals to uplift their careers and make an impact within a diverse operation. We recognize the utmost importance which contributions by individuals and teams have to the success of Victory Farms. We work to create a fantastic environment for our employees. An environment where employees have an opportunity to develop professionally and personally.

How to Apply

Kindly send your 2–page CV and cover letter expressing your interest and qualifications to recruit@victoryfarmskenya.com. Indicate the Job Title as the email subject – Assistant Processing Manager – Fish Processing. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.