Operations Manager, Rwanda

About us

EcoPlanet Bamboo is leading the commercialization of bamboo as a sustainable, deforestation-free, climate friendly, alternative fibre for some of the world's largest industries. We are a triple bottom line company putting equal emphasis on people, planet and profit, and building a team that is collaborative, entrepreneurial and passionate about driving sustainable development and long-term positive impact through business.

Our operations are expanding with carbon financed bamboo farms in Nicaragua, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda and the Philippines. Our projects apply our successful model of landscape restoration, providing a solution to three of the world's most critical environmental problems: the need for effective solutions to mitigate global climate change; holistic restoration of the world's most degraded landscapes; and a growing population that requires sustainable alternatives for consumer products and markets that still contribute to deforestation and deforestation driven emissions.

In Rwanda, our projects are providing environmental solutions that protect watersheds through riparian plantings and expand the habitat of endangered Mountain Gorillas.

The role

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to take full accountability for the delivery of EcoPlanet Bamboo's Annual Planting and Operations Plan across our Rwanda districts.

This is a field-dominant leadership role requiring rigorous operational discipline, strong in-field presence, and consistent application of the POLC management framework (Planning, Organising, Leading, Control) to drive productivity, quality, safety, and compliance across all operations.

The role is HQ-based in Kigali, with a minimum of three days per week in the field, rotating across all 13 districts, and daily morning check-ins with your Supervisors. You will manage 3 Supervisors overseeing 31 Technicians, and work closely with technicians, nursery teams, and corporate support functions.

Key responsibilities

Operational planning & execution

• Translate the Annual Planting & Operations Plan into clear daily, weekly, and monthly execution plans
• Develop and distribute weekly work plans with defined daily targets by activity, compartment, and workforce
• Ensure proactive availability of tools, plants, fertiliser, water, equipment, machinery, and vehicles
• Set and enforce quantitative productivity targets and quality standards
• Optimise labour planning across direct staff, seasonal labour, and contractors
• Manage nurseries and ensure operations within these contract nurseries meet performance standards for plant quality and timely delivery.

Field management, quality control & compliance

• Maintain a strong in-field presence to enforce SOP, EHS, silvicultural, environmental, and FSC standards
• Conduct structured, randomised compartment-level audits across all districts
• Review operational performance across all 13 districts weekly and implement corrective action where required
• Enforce consequence management for repeated non-compliance, poor quality, or safety violations

SOP ownership & continuous improvement

• Translate SOPs into daily operational discipline in the field
• Lead SOP improvement cycles based on audits, operational challenges, and lessons learned
• Ensure version control, training, and consistent implementation across all districts

Reporting & records

• Oversee plant production, quality, age-class suitability, and delivery schedules prior to planting acceptance
• Provide weekly operational performance reports to the General Manager and Corporate Team
• Ensure accurate and timely operational, EHS, equipment, and spatial reporting

What you bring

Technical & operational

• Strong silviculture or field operations expertise
• Workforce and resource planning capability, with disciplined execution
• Data-driven decision-making and spatial data understanding

Leadership

• Assertive, fair, and highly accountable leadership style
• Ability to mentor and coach Supervisors in structured management behaviour
• Strong in-field presence with disciplined operational follow-through

Experience & qualifications

• Degree in Agriculture, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or related field
• 8–10+ years' operational experience in commercial forestry, agriculture, or field environments
• Proven experience managing large workforces
• Strong understanding of planting operations and chemical application
• Solid Excel and software capability to manage multiple parallel projects
• Training in Health & Safety, FSC-compliant Herbicide Use, and Supervisory Management is advantageous
• A Driving Licence category B is a MUST

Working conditions

• HQ-based in Kigali with significant scheduled field time (minimum three days per week)
• Outdoor work in varied and sometimes challenging terrain
• Occasional weekend or public holiday work where operational need requires

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer a competitive remuneration package, growth opportunities and a platform from which to do exciting and meaningful work with an ambitious and passionate team in a vibrant global company that is working towards driving sustainable change.

TO APPLY

If you are a hands-on operations leader with the discipline, presence, and experience delivering complex field operations at scale, send your CV and a one-page cover letter that highlights your fit for the role to abolo@ecoplanetbamboo.com .