Job Description

Work Area: Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Employer: Freetown Cold Storage Company Limited (Diethelm Keller Group)

Application Deadline: 14^th of May 2022

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone. Open to all nationalities.

Application Instructions: Submit CV and Cover Letter to info@afriqia-solutions.com with “General Manager” in Subject Line.

The Diethelm Keller Group is a Swiss family-owned company with a portfolio of leading Swiss and international brands focusing on household items, premium outdoor furniture, industrial products, and investments. For one of their affiliated companies, Freetown Cold Storage Co. Ltd., they are seeking an experienced General Manager on site in Sierra Leone in their gated community. The individual selected will represent the company and manages their residential and commercial properties.

Key Purpose

The Company is seeking an experienced General Manager on site in Sierra Leone in their gated community, who represents the company and manages their residential and commercial properties. You will be leading several construction projects, building new houses and supporting the reconstruction of commercial plots and infrastructures.

As a General Manager, you will manage a team of around 20 employees and serve as an all-around real estate professional for the three properties in Freetown. The focus will be on managing the existing properties and expanding the business by building additional properties:

Property Management

• Represent the company locally and take full responsibility for all communication with the tenants.
• Oversee and manage the real estate income and expenses with the goal of improving profitability.
• Proactively monitor and negotiate all rental contracts. Key will be to ensure a high utilization of the rental space.

• Act as facility manager by constantly reviewing the quality and necessary renovation needs of the properties.
• Prepare renovation plans including the required expenditures for maintenance & repair.
• Supervise maintenance personnel and contractors; conduct renovation work without support wherever possible.
• Oversee and maintain solar hybrid plant, water source and gardening.

Project / Construction Management

• Evaluate business opportunities for an optimized use of the current company assets (1 commercial, 2 residential).
• Provide detailed project and cost plans for all refurbishment and new construction initiatives.
• Lead and oversee all construction projects of the company’s properties, including the organization and sourcing of construction material abroad.

• More than 5 years of international experience in developing countries, including min. 3 years of professional experience in an African country (preferably West Africa, Sierra Leone).
• Extensive knowledge in construction management – preferably in a professional business environment (e.g., as an architect, a construction manager, or a landscaper). Alternatively, proven construction experience through multiple private home remodeling projects (DIY).
• Strong ability in project management, from scheduling and sourcing vendors and raw materials to organizing and supervising local workers on site.
• Good leadership and communication skills that allows working with people from different cultures.
• Strong hands-on approach with result orientation, willingness to find solutions in a challenging environment.
• Fluent in English – both in writing and speaking. German advantageous.
• Knowledge in Microsoft Office (Excel & Word) and good affinity for IT.
• Act with integrity and high degree of self-motivation.