East African Trading House (EATH), a key subsidiary of East African Holding (EAH), is a cornerstone in Ethiopia’s wholesale and distribution industry. With roots tracing back to 1891, we combine a legacy of trust with a bold ambition: to become the preferred trading and distribution powerhouse in East Africa under Vision 2035.

We operate through strategically integrated business units—FMCG, Impex, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Logistics & Warehousing—each designed to accelerate value creation, sustainable growth, and innovation.

The Opportunity: Chief Operations Officer (COO)

As Chief Operations Officer (COO), you will serve as a key driver of EATH’s operational performance, ensuring excellence across logistics, warehouse management, inventory, category performance, and distribution. You will report directly to the CEO and be responsible for translating strategic vision into executable operational goals.

You will lead with data, use KPIs to optimize systems, and drive cross-functional performance that fuels our expansion and transformation objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Design and implement operational strategies aligned with Vision 2035.

• Drive execution of strategic plans and oversee day-to-day operations across all business units.

• Develop and enforce operational policies that support company culture and long-term objectives.

• Foster a high-performance environment built on accountability, agility, and innovation.

Team & Performance Management

• Set departmental KPIs and manage performance across logistics, warehousing, category, and inventory functions.

• Build, coach, and lead a high-performing team to consistently exceed business targets.

• Promote continuous improvement culture and implement best practices across operations.

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Leverage data analytics to assess performance, identify inefficiencies, and optimize cost structures.

• Generate timely, accurate, and actionable reports for executive leadership and the Board.

• Translate operational insights into strategic decisions that drive long-term value.

Business Growth & Expansion

• Lead operational readiness for new market entry, channel expansion, and product rollouts.

• Support investment initiatives with robust infrastructure and process design.

• Identify and mitigate risks while ensuring scalability of core operations.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Strategic Impact: Implementation rate of strategic initiatives and measurable organizational outcomes.

• Business Growth: Achievement of revenue, volume, and market share expansion targets.

• Operational Efficiency: Percentage reduction in operational costs and process bottlenecks.

• Leadership Effectiveness: Improvement in engagement, productivity, and retention of key talent.

• Reporting Excellence: Accuracy and timeliness of operational reports submitted to management.

• Employee Performance: Proportion of departments/teams meeting or exceeding performance targets.

Job Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Logistics Management, Operations, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, ideally in FMCG or high-volume distribution sectors.

• Proven expertise in managing large-scale logistics, warehousing, Sourcing and category functions.

• Strong command of performance management, data analytics, and cost optimization methodologies.

• Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.

How To Apply

Join our team and be a key player in EATH's transformative journey to become East Africa's leading trading and distribution company!

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of their work to hr@eastafricantradinghouse.com  before June 30, 2025.