Head of Distribution Operations

Purpose:

This position leads the overall distribution operations at KE; provides uninterrupted supply of electricity to all consumers (excluding EHT) and bills consumers for the energy consumed; plans distribution operations and executional activities aligned with finalized strategy and ensures implementation of the same; fosters healthy relationships with administrative & political parties and government agencies for seamless execution of distribution operations; develops and manages annual budgets (REVEX, CAPEX) as well as targets for distribution operations and segregates among different regions/clusters; gauges organization's performance against agreed targets; ensures seamless execution of distribution operations; ensures strict adherence to HSE SOPs, which are designed for the purpose of protecting and preventing both employees and public from physical risks, in the course of daily operations. This role leads a department of approximately 10,000 employees with multiple dimensions and disciplines, carrying out responsibilities with the objective of effectively overseeing distribution operations within the limits of NEPRA guidelines and benchmarks, organization's policies and SOPs, functional/departmental objectives, defined organizational strategy, governmental regulations, budgetary constraints, and company strategy.

Education & Relevant Experience:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Engineering, majoring in Electrical Engineering.
• At least 20 years of experience in companies comprising of large and diverse workforce (preferably utility industry), with 5 years at a senior management level position.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. People Management

• Provides effective and inspiring leadership to direct reports; ensures parity among subordinates with regards to learning and growth opportunities.
• Helps create a conducive working environment to build and sustain an engaged and committed team.
• Creates a sense of purpose and self-fulfillment among subordinates; fosters empathy when necessary.
• Delegates responsibilities to direct reports and creates a sense of urgency; keeps the team emotionally aware and open to accepting planned changes for the greater good.
• Leads by example, motivates and maintains a competent and high-performing staff, capable of meeting current and future needs; identifies training and development requirements of subordinates for future roles.
• Manages performance of direct reports through objective setting, continuous support, feedback, and formal appraisal; coordinates with HR for recruitment of new talent.
• Handles administrative issues related to HR, including conflict management, grievances handling, and disciplinary issues.

2. Network/Operations Management

• Develops distribution network management strategy, aligned with overall long-term organizational strategy.
• Defines and segregates long-term network targets, benchmarks, and KPIs among regions/clusters and IBCs on a yearly basis.
• Conducts team meetings and provides guidelines for effective implementation of department strategy; monitors implementation and supports resolution of escalated issues.
• Communicates network performance expectations that translate into targets in the Technical Scorecard; reports performance to supervisor and board as needed.
• Aligns long-term inventory and infrastructure-related requirements with supply chain; defines timelines and follows up to ensure timely provision.
• Ensures that all processes within network operations adhere to HSE SOPs.
• Analyzes budget utilization trends from regions and clusters; identifies performance gaps and notifies concerned clusters for corrective action.

3. Commercial/Business Management

• Prepares and recommends annual budget for distribution operations as per finalized targets, aligned with long-term business strategy.
• Develops annual business plan for distribution operations, aligned with overall long-term organizational strategy.
• Bifurcates and cascades business targets, benchmarks, KPIs, and management expectations among regions/clusters on an annual/quarterly basis.
• Monitors progress of business plan throughout the year and supports resolution of escalated matters.
• Gauges progress/status in terms of commercial target achievement; identifies operational gaps and suggests corrective actions.
• Reviews and approves corrective actions versus performance gaps to ensure efficiency and achievement of targets.
• Reports performance to supervisor and board on a periodic basis and incorporates operational suggestions provided.
• Conducts team meetings on a monthly basis to assess performance against defined targets.
• Ensures that all processes within distribution operations align with KE's value of customer centricity.
• Evaluates, recommends, and authorizes changes in policy, processes, and infrastructure to reduce complaint resolution time and the number of complaints.
• Attends monthly meetings with business finance to review progress of all regions/clusters against allocated targets.
• Engages team in constant feedback sessions for financial performance improvement.

4. Stakeholder Management

• Meets with key industrial consumers and assures resolution of distribution-related escalated matters.
• Maintains liaison with government bodies for prioritized customer services associated with planned and unplanned occurrences.
• Coordinates with internal stakeholders for resolution of escalated consumer issues and complaints pertaining to electricity distribution.
• Represents KE in various meetings with government bodies to discuss distribution-related matters; negotiates to secure organizational interests.
• Attends NEPRA hearings, presents distribution-related technical matters, and highlights KE's point of view.
• Aligns expectations and requirements of the distribution business with internal stakeholders/business partners for smooth delivery of the business plan.
• Interacts with all support departments for efficient decision-making on matters affecting operations.

Skills

• Decision Making and Problem Solving
• Communication (written, verbal, and presentation)
• Strong Negotiations
• Planning and Organizing
• Conflict Management
• Analytical

Knowledge

• Hands-on familiarity with the political landscape of the country.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory environments and guidelines.
• Practical exposure to utility markets and operations.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience.
• Relevant experience in electrical utility management and operations or similar environments.
• Sectoral/industry knowledge.