South Africa: CEO (Meat Processing Industry) posted by Pillango Placements

A leading, large-scale meat business operating across Namibia and Botswana requires a commercially sharp, hands-on operator who understands the realities of livestock supply, processing efficiencies, food safety, and route-to-market performance — and can translate strategy into results across multiple sites and stakeholders.

You will take overall accountability for performance, growth, and operational excellence across the Namibia and Botswana regions. If not based in-region, the role will require frequent travel between operations, customers, and strategic partners.

Key responsibilities

• Set and execute regional strategy to drive sustainable growth, profitability, and market share.
• Lead end-to-end performance across the value chain: feedlots, abattoirs, processing, logistics, and retail/wholesale channels.
• Drive operational excellence (yield, throughput, cost-to-serve, wastage reduction, cold chain integrity).
• Ensure world-class food safety, animal welfare, and quality assurance, aligned to local regulations and export/customer standards.
• Strengthen procurement and livestock supply strategies, including farmer networks, contracts, and long-term partnerships.
• Build and empower high-performing teams, with a strong focus on leadership, culture, succession, and accountability.
• Oversee financial performance: budgets, cash flow, capex prioritisation, and ROI-driven investment decisions.
• Represent the business with key stakeholders: regulators, industry bodies, major customers, and strategic partners.

Ideal candidate profile

• Senior executive leadership experience (CEO/MD/GM) within the meat industry or closely related protein/food processing environment.
• Deep understanding of livestock supply chains, processing operations, quality systems, and route-to-market dynamics.
• Proven commercial capability: pricing, customer strategy, category performance, and P&L leadership.
• Strong people leadership with a track record of building disciplined, execution-focused teams.
• Comfortable operating across multiple sites with a high travel footprint when required.
• Experience across Southern Africa (or similar operating environments) is a strong advantage.

Why this opportunity

• Lead a large, established and fully integrated meat value chain business.
• Work at the sharp end of strategy and execution — real impact, visible outcomes.
• Significant scope to modernise, optimise, and grow across two key regional markets.
• Competitive executive remuneration structure (role level aligned), with performance-driven upside.

 Location & travel

Primary focus is Namibia and Botswana. The role is open to candidates based in either country; alternatively, candidates based elsewhere must be able to commit to regular travel and on-site leadership presence.

The offer will be market related in line with your qualifications, skills, and experience. The role can potentially offer R3m or more per annum if you are an exact fit and require minimal additional oversight. Let’s chat!

Additional details regarding the position and potential employer will be provided following our initial contact and the CV review.