Job Description
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - HARISCHANDRA MILLS PLC
For over 80 years, Harischandra Mills PLC has been one of Sri Lanka's most trusted and respected household brands, renowned for delivering high-quality food products that have become an integral part of generations of Sri Lankan families. Founded in 1943 in Matara, the company has grown from a small milling operation into a leading manufacturer with a diverse portfolio including noodles, coffee, flours, spices, instant food products, papadams, soaps, fuel & lubricants retail and other everyday essentials. Guided by a legacy of quality, innovation, and employee empowerment, Harischandra continues to uphold its founder's vision while fostering a workplace that values integrity, excellence, teamwork, and continuous growth.
We are looking for a visionary and commercially driven leader to join Harischandra Mills PLC as Chief Executive Officer. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned FMCG professional with deep expertise in sales and marketing, combined with strong P&L, operations and organisational leadership experience, and a proven track record in driving profitable growth, brand building, export development and cash discipline.
This is an opportunity for an accomplished business leader to shape the next chapter of a respected Sri Lankan listed company. The Chief Executive Officer will be accountable to the Board for the overall strategic direction, commercial success, operational performance and reputation of the Company, protecting the quality, authenticity and trust of the Harischandra heritage while modernising the business for the future.
This position would be based in Matara.
Core Responsibilities
- Develop, with the Board, the Company's long-term vision, strategy and annual business plan, and drive execution across the Food, Soap and Fuel & Lubricants businesses.
- Own the revenue and margin share agenda, setting sales strategy, pricing, trade terms and channel priorities across general trade, modern trade, distributors, outlets and e commerce.
- Build and protect brand equity, drive product and packaging innovation and portfolio optimisation, and lead export market development.
- Strengthen the distribution network and route-to-market to improve outlet coverage, availability and service levels.
- Oversee manufacturing, procurement, supply chain and quality across the Matara and Uduwaka facilities, ensuring efficient, safe and cost-effective production and optimum capacity utilisation.
- Lead raw-material sourcing and supplier strategies to manage commodity price, currency and supply disruption risks, and uphold food safety, quality and regulatory standards.
- Be accountable for overall financial results (revenue, margins, profit and return on equity), with disciplined working-capital, cash-flow and borrowing management.
- Evaluate and prioritise capital investments, partnerships and strategic initiatives based on financial returns and long-term value creation.
- Ensure strong governance, internal controls and enterprise risk management, and compliance with the Companies Act, CSE Listing Rules, SEC requirements and the Code of Best Practice on Corporate Governance.
- Report to the Board and engage shareholders, regulators, customers, suppliers, banks and the media as principal spokesperson of the Company.
- Build a high-performing, accountable Executive Management Team, plan succession, and foster a performance-driven culture that preserves the Company's welfare tradition and cordial industrial relations.
- Embed sustainability in business strategy, including SLFRS S1 and S2 readiness, and lead the Company's CSR agenda in the Matara district and beyond.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Marketing, Commerce or a related discipline from a recognised university; an MBA or postgraduate qualification in Management / Marketing / Business Administration is strongly preferred.
- A professional marketing or management qualification (CIM-UK, SLIM or equivalent) and an executive leadership / general management programme would be an added qualification.
- Over 15 years of progressive experience in Sales and Marketing, including substantial experience in the FMCG sector, of which at least 05 years at senior management level (Head of Sales / Marketing, Director or General Manager).
- Proven track record of full P&L ownership of a substantial business or business unit, and of growing revenue, market share and profitability of branded consumer products through strong trade, modern trade, distributor networks and exports.
- Demonstrated experience in brand building, new product development, pricing and trade marketing for mass-market or heritage brands.
- Experience leading large, multi-site teams in a manufacturing-based business, with a sound understanding of procurement, supply chain and cost management.
- Experience of working with a Board of Directors; exposure to a listed-company environment, corporate governance and shareholder engagement, and of leading organisational change, would be an advantage.
- Strong strategic leadership, financial acumen, stakeholder management, integrity and people leadership; excellent communication skills in English, with proficiency in Sinhala, would be an advantage.
- Please forward a detailed CV and contact details of two non-related referees to reach us within 14 working days by email to [email protected] mentioning the position applied for in the email subject.
Human Resource Department
Harischandra Mills PLC
No. 11, C.A. Harischandra Mawatha, Matara.
T: 041- 222 4701-8 (Ext.104)
www.harischandramills.com
