Value Addition Lead Job in Kenya - Keep IT Cool

Keep IT Cool is hiring a Value Addition Lead skilled in post-harvest processing, product development, and food production management.

Responsibilities

Value Addition Strategy & Business Growth

  • Develop and execute strategies to grow KIC’s cooked meals and value-added product portfolio.
  • Identify opportunities for new products and market expansion.
  • Improve profitability through product innovation and operational efficiencies.
  • Contribute to annual business planning and growth initiatives.
  • Position the value addition function as a key revenue driver within Keep IT Cool.

Kitchen & Food Production Operations

  • Oversee daily food production activities to ensure operational efficiency.
  • Develop production schedules aligned with customer demand.

  • Ensure timely preparation and delivery of meals and value-added products.
  • Monitor production output, workflow, and labour productivity.
  • Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation, and kitchen discipline.

Product Development & Menu Innovation

  • Develop seasonal menus and new value-added products.
  • Improve recipes to balance quality, nutrition, consistency, and profitability.
  • Standardise recipes and portion sizes.
  • Introduce innovative products using KICs poultry and fish products.
  • Conduct product testing and customer feedback reviews.

Food Safety & Quality Assurance

  • Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and company standards.
  • Implement HACCP-based food safety practices.
  • Maintain hygiene and sanitation standards throughout the kitchen.
  • Conduct routine quality inspections.
  • Ensure full traceability of ingredients and finished products.

Inventory & Cost Management

  • Monitor food costs and production yields.
  • Oversee inventory of raw materials and finished goods.
  • Reduce wastage through effective planning and portion control.
  • Collaborate with Procurement to ensure timely availability of ingredients.
  • Manage departmental budgets and operational expenditure.

Leadership & Team Development:

  • Supervise the Chef, Kitchen Assistants, and food production staff.
  • Establish clear performance expectations and accountability.
  • Coach and mentor team members.
  • Develop training plans to improve culinary and operational capability.
  • Foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Product consistency.
  • Food safety audit scores.
  • Customer complaint resolution.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Food Production, Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Food Science, or a related field.
  • At least five (5) years’ experience managing commercial kitchen operations, food production, or value addition.
  • Demonstrated experience leading kitchen teams.
  • Strong understanding of food costing, menu engineering, and production planning.
  • Experience implementing food safety and quality systems.
  • Proven ability to manage operational budgets and improve profitability.

How to Apply

Click here to apply