Regional Business Manager – Uganda, Rwanda job at VIVO Energy

Vivo presently operates 30 physical stores in Kenya, 3 stores in Uganda, another in Rwanda, and an online presence. Our Mission and Vision, “To be Africa’s most loved fashion brand” and “Africa Dressing Herself,” steer our six core company values. We prioritize our customers, aiming to enhance their lives through our products while nurturing and developing our talent and employees within the Vivo family. This underscores our commitment to recruiting, cultivating, and retaining the brightest minds globally. Embracing our fundamental principles — #OurPeopleFirst, #OneTeam, #DelightOurCustomers, #ChallengeTheStatusQuo, Do The Right Thing and #OwnTheResult — fosters a distinctive culture throughout our organization, enabling us to unlock the immense potential of this dynamic industry.

Job Purpose

Lead Vivo’s growth and brand in Uganda and Rwanda through deep customer understanding, engaged teams and a locally relevant product offer and experience. Develop a strategy for each country, making clear choices and trade-offs; translate it into hands-on action, valuable partnerships and profitable growth. Lead Johari’s local rollout and adoption, connecting stores, e-commerce, loyalty and community. Represent Vivo credibly with customers, partners and authorities.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial strategy and performance

• First-year priority: develop a distinct strategy for each country, setting customer priorities, positioning, growth choices and trade-offs across brand awareness, team strength and profitability.
• Translate strategy into quarterly plans; own sales, margin, costs and market P&Ls.

Customer understanding, brand and market development

• Spend time with customers and staff to understand lifestyles, aspirations, fit, price expectations and shopping behavior. Shape assortment, experience and communication around each market.
• Build awareness and affinity through well-matched creators, influencers, communities and commercial partners; recommend local collaborations and measure results.
• Shape Johari’s (Community App) local offer and lead launch readiness, staff training and adoption with HQ; connect e-commerce, loyalty and community to the store experience.

People, culture and leadership

• Be a visible, approachable leader who listens, coaches and builds trust.
• Develop Store Managers and engaged sales teams who understand their customers, speak openly and take ownership.

Store standards and customer experience

• Translate customer insight into welcoming, relevant service and store presentation.
• Visit stores regularly, listen to feedback and resolve customer and operating issues with the team.

Expansion and opportunity development

• Build evidence-based investment cases; coordinate approved openings and track performance.
• Spot and test promising local opportunities within the agreed plan and budget.

Representation, governance and compliance

• Build trusted relationships with authorities, landlords and business associations.
• Protect Vivo’s reputation and good standing; resolve issues early.
• With HQ specialists, ensure compliance, sound cash controls and timely escalation of risks.

Qualifications and Experience

• Uganda and Rwanda market knowledge
• Business-related degree; 7+ years in retail or commercial management, including 3+ leading multiple stores or a market P&L.
• Evidence of country or market strategy, customer insight, team development, local partnerships and commercial delivery.
• Strong analytical and ERP skills; sound independent judgement.
• Eligible to work in Uganda and travel regularly to Rwanda and Kenya.

• Develop a distinct strategy for each country, setting customer priorities, positioning, growth choices and trade-offs across brand awareness, team strength and profitability.
• Translate strategy into quarterly plans; own sales, margin, costs and market P&Ls.
• Spend time with customers and staff to understand lifestyles, aspirations, fit, price expectations and shopping behavior. Shape assortment, experience and communication around each market.
• Build awareness and affinity through well-matched creators, influencers, communities and commercial partners; recommend local collaborations and measure results.
• Shape Johari’s (Community App) local offer and lead launch readiness, staff training and adoption with HQ; connect e-commerce, loyalty and community to the store experience.
• Be a visible, approachable leader who listens, coaches and builds trust.
• Develop Store Managers and engaged sales teams who understand their customers, speak openly and take ownership.
• Translate customer insight into welcoming, relevant service and store presentation.
• Visit stores regularly, listen to feedback and resolve customer and operating issues with the team.
• Build evidence-based investment cases; coordinate approved openings and track performance.
• Spot and test promising local opportunities within the agreed plan and budget.
• Build trusted relationships with authorities, landlords and business associations.
• Protect Vivo’s reputation and good standing; resolve issues early.
• With HQ specialists, ensure compliance, sound cash controls and timely escalation of risks.

• Strong analytical skills
• ERP skills
• Sound independent judgement
• Customer insight
• Strategy development
• Team development
• Local partnership development
• Commercial delivery

• Uganda and Rwanda market knowledge
• Business-related degree
• Evidence of country or market strategy, customer insight, team development, local partnerships and commercial delivery
• Eligible to work in Uganda and travel regularly to Rwanda and Kenya