General Manager - Apparel Manufacturing

KENYA | FULL TIME

By Appointment Africa is proud to be the exclusive recruiter for SOKO Kenya, a leading sustainable apparel manufacturer empowering local communities and delivering premium quality garments for global brands. 🌍

We are looking for an experienced leader to oversee full factory operations, drive performance, and strengthen the systems that will support SOKO Kenya’s growth journey.

If you have a proven track record in apparel manufacturing, operational leadership, and team development — this is your opportunity to make a real impact in ethical and sustainable fashion.

Job Title: General Manager
Location: Kikambala, Kilifi County, Kenya
Company: SOKO Kenya

SOKO Kenya is a sustainable apparel manufacturer dedicated to ethical production, operational excellence and empowering local communities. Based in Kikambala, we work with global brands to produce garments that align with ethical and sustainable values while maintaining premium quality. We are looking for a dynamic and experienced General Manager to lead all factory operations, drive performance and strengthen the systems and structures to support our growing company.

Role Overview:

The General Manager is responsible for overseeing the full scope of factory operations, include production, planning, maintenance, quality and team development. This role will ensure high levels of efficiency, product quality and timely order fulfilment. The General Manager will lead cross-functional coordination across departments and work closely with senior leadership to align factory output with business goals.

This is a key strategic role for SOKO Kenya as we continue to scale and improve operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Oversee production schedules and proactively adjust for delays, urgent orders and material shortages.

• Conduct regular walkthroughs of each department to monitor progress, identify bottlenecks and ensure adherence to quality and safety standards.

• Drive operational efficiencies and improve workflow processes within the factory.

• Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance consistency and efficiency.

• Ensure 90% of all shipments are on time, reducing internal delays.

• Ensure seamless coordination between sourcing, sampling, production and shipping to minimise production disruptions.

• Set clear expectations, establish KPIs and drive a performance-oriented culture.

• Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, recognising achievements and encouraging innovation.

• Implement a structured training program for supervisors and team leads focused on leadership, lean manufacturing and sustainability.

• Provide leadership and oversight for the entire factory team, including production, planning, maintenance and quality control teams.

• Lead hiring and training efforts to build a high-performing, resilient factory team.

Operational Oversight

• Lead implementation of SOPs across the factory floor.

• Ensure systems are in place to track and resolve operational risks quickly and effectively.

• Champion a "right-first-time" quality culture, minimising rework and improving consistency.

• Oversee the maintenance department to ensure equipment downtime is minimised.

Cost Control & Financial Efficiency

• Work closely with the finance team to track and manage production costs, ensuring the factory operates within budget.

• Implement a transparent costing system that links actual production numbers to cost savings and efficiency improvements.

• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality, including process optimisations and waste reduction initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• 100% on-time shipping rate – ensure all shipments meet delivery deadlines.

• Cost transparency and cost savings – implement a structured costing system that leads to measurable financial improvements.

• Production efficiency – increase factory efficiency by at least 10% annually through workflow improvements and process optimization.

• Factory downtime reduction – reduce unplanned machine downtime by at least 15% through preventive maintenance and improved scheduling.

• Right-first-time quality rate – ensure that at least 90% of products pass quality control without requiring rework.

• Cost transparency & cost savings – implement a structured costing system that leads to at least 5% annual production cost savings without reducing quality.

• Production lead time reduction – reduce the time taken from order confirmation to production completion by at least 10% through better planning.

• Team performance – supervisor and team leader competency growth.

Skills & Experience Required

• 15+ years of experience in textile, apparel, or garment manufacturing, including at least 5 years in a senior role.

• Proven success in managing large teams and overseeing complex factory operations.

• Strong expertise in lean manufacturing, with a proven track record of increasing efficiency, reducing costs and optimising production processes.

• Excellent strategic and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to systematically improve operations.

• Strong leadership and training abilities, improving a performance-driven culture on the factory floor.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across departments.

• Familiarity with project management and tracking tools for operations management.

By Appointment Africa is proud to be the exclusive recruiter for SOKO Kenya, a leading sustainable apparel manufacturer empowering local communities and delivering premium quality garments for global brands.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Apply now and let us connect you with a role that aligns with your skills, experience, and career goals.