Purpose of the Role

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is the primary orchestrator of LAFSINCO’s physical assets, facility operations, and logistics networks. Reporting directly to the Managing Director/CEO, the COO is responsible for the technical and operational excellence of the Epe Hub and future satellite infrastructures, ensuring that the facilities function as a world-class, zero-downtime engine for food security.

This is a high-stakes leadership role requiring a professional who can perform effectively under sustained pressure in a mission-driven environment where structures are evolving, priorities shift rapidly, and execution speed is critical. The COO must bridge the gap between large-scale industrial facility management and sophisticated agrologistics.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Infrastructure & Hub Management

• Oversee the full-scale operationalization of the Epe Central Logistics Hub, ensuring all mechanical, digital, and human systems are synchronized for 24/7 high-volume throughput.

• Direct the management of advanced cold storage, dry storage, and processing facilities to achieve the corporate goal of reducing post-harvest losses by 50%.

• Lead the deployment of automated warehouse management systems (WMS) and IoT tracking to ensure real-time visibility of food stocks and infrastructure health.

• Drive continuous improvement in operational processes, technology adoption, and efficiency.

Strategic Execution

• Translate LAFSINCO’s vision into actionable operational strategies aligned with food security goals.

• Lead the rollout of the Produce for Lagos” programme, ensuring measurable impact on food affordability and accessibility.

• Develop and monitor KPIs to track performance across infrastructure, logistics, and sustainability initiatives.

Supply Chain Orchestration & Logistics

• Design and manage the logistics corridors that connect rural production clusters to the Epe Hub and subsequently to Lagos’ retail markets.

• Streamline truck turn-around times, loading/unloading protocols, and last-mile distribution networks to lower the overall cost-to-serve for food in the State.

• Establish and enforce rigorous food safety standards across the entire infrastructure footprint to ensure public health and export-grade quality.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong partnerships with farmers, agribusinesses, logistics providers, and government agencies.

• Represent LAFSINCO in high-level engagements with investors, regulators, and international partners.

• Ensure transparent communication and reporting to the Board of Directors and stakeholders.

Financial Stewardship & Performance

• Own the operational budget, ensuring the Hub meets its revenue targets through storage fees, processing margins, and value-added services.

• Continuously identify inefficiencies in power consumption (especially for cold chain), labor, and maintenance to protect the SPV’s margins.

• Develop and test "Business Continuity Plans" to ensure the food system can withstand civil, economic, or climate-related disruptions.

People & Culture

• Recruit and lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, logisticians, and facility managers, fostering a culture of Institutional Depth and Startup Agility.

• Establish rigorous performance metrics for all departments, ensuring data-driven decision-making at every level of the operation

• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and safety.

• Champion training and capacity-building initiatives for staff and partner organizations.

Qualifications & Certificates

Advanced degree MBA or Master’s in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or Business Administration — mandatory

First degree Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc./HND) in Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field.

Fellow or Member — Institute of Directors (IoD) — mandatory for board-level engagement

Fellow or Member — Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) or equivalent — mandatory

Chartered Member — Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) — strong advantage

Infrastructure / PPP project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, APM) — added advantage

Experience Required

· Minimum of 20–25 years of professional experience, with at least 10 years in a C-suite or Senior Management role within large-scale logistics, FMCG manufacturing, or infrastructure management.

· Advanced degree (MBA, MSc, or M.Eng) in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or Business Administration.

· Proven track record in managing large-scale physical assets (e.g., ports, industrial parks, or massive distribution centers). Experience with PPP models is highly desirable.

· Strong understanding of ERP systems, automated logistics technology, and data analytics.

· Exceptional ability to lead through complexity, manage diverse stakeholders, and deliver results under high public scrutiny.

· Able to navigate the unique challenges of the Lagos operating environment with grit and a long-term perspective.

· Able to balance the social impact goals of the government with the commercial rigor of private investors.

· Constantly seeking ways to leverage technology to solve ancient problems in the African food system.