Overview

GENERAL MANAGER – POTABLE SPIRITS

(Full P&L Responsibility)
Location: Kampala, Uganda (with regional East Africa oversight)

Role Overview

A leading East African producer and marketer of premium potable spirits is seeking to appoint a highly accomplished General Manager – Potable Spirits. ( business unit focused on drinkable distilled alcoholic beverages - such as whisky, gin, rum, or vodka).This is a senior executive leadership role with full end-to-end Profit & Loss accountability, responsible for driving sustainable growth, brand leadership, and operational excellence across Uganda and selected East African markets.

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the incumbent will provide strategic, commercial, and operational leadership for a diverse portfolio of bottled spirits, including premium gin, rum, and vodka brands. The role requires deep expertise in the alcoholic beverages sector, particularly within regulated excise environments.

* Please note that my client would like to consider Indian Nationals with previous / current experience in this industry sector - East and West Africa.

Key Purpose of the Role

The General Manager will be accountable for:

• Defining and executing the long-term business strategy for the potable spirits division
• Delivering profitable revenue growth while optimising excise, tax, and cost structures
• Expanding regional market presence and strengthening brand equity
• Ensuring full regulatory compliance, governance, and risk management

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Commercial Leadership

• Develop and execute comprehensive business strategies aligned to Uganda and East African market dynamics.
• Identify and capitalise on growth opportunities across product portfolios, new SKUs, pricing strategies, and regional expansion within EAC markets.
• Lead market entry and route-to-market strategies, balancing volume growth with margin optimisation.

Financial Management & P&L Ownership

• Own full P&L responsibility, including revenue growth, operating margins, excise cost management, and cash flow performance.
• Prepare and manage annual operating plans, budgets, and rolling forecasts.
• Implement rigorous financial controls to ensure profitability, cost discipline, and capital efficiency.

Sales, Marketing & Brand Development

• Oversee national and regional sales strategies, distributor and sub-distributor performance, and channel optimisation.
• Strengthen brand equity through compliant, responsible marketing, trade activation, and consumer engagement initiatives.
• Develop pricing frameworks that reflect excise duties, tax structures, competitive positioning, and market realities.

Operations, Compliance & Governance

• Ensure strict compliance with all excise laws, URA requirements, and regional regulatory frameworks governing alcohol production and sales.
• Maintain robust internal controls, audit readiness, and corporate governance standards.
• Act as the senior point of accountability for regulatory authorities, auditors, and key stakeholders.

People & Leadership

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing, multicultural leadership team across sales, marketing, finance, operations, and supply chain.
• Foster a performance-driven culture focused on accountability, ethical conduct, and continuous improvement.
• Drive succession planning and leadership capability development within the business.

Candidate Profile

Minimum Requirements

• Graduate degree is essential; MBA in Marketing or Comercial Business Degree with Finance strongly preferred.
• Minimum 20 years’ senior-level experience within the potable spirits, FMCG, or alcoholic beverages sector.
• Proven track record managing large, regulated spirits businesses with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong commercial acumen with deep understanding of excise structures, taxation, and compliance in emerging markets.
• Demonstrated experience in distributor management, regional expansion, and brand building.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic, commercially astute, and results-driven leader.
• High integrity with strong governance and compliance orientation.
• Confident executive communicator capable of operating at Board level.
• Willing and able to be based in Uganda with regional travel as required.

Application Process

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements and are willing to work in Uganda are invited to apply in confidence.

Contact Person: Gordon Mollett
Email: gordon@zjr.co.za
Mobile / WhatsApp: +27 83 689 4769

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.