ESSENTIAL JOB DETAILS

• Positions Available:
  1. Cluster Manager – Coastal Region (Mombasa)
  2. Head of Built-In Appliances – Nairobi
• Employer: Hotpoint Appliances Ltd
• Industry: Sales, Retail, Marketing & Business Development
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Estimated Salary Range:
  • Cluster Manager: KES 120K – 250K/month
  • Head of Built-In Appliances: KES 250K – 350K/month
    (based on Kenya’s retail leadership averages, adjusted ~10% below market for realism)
• Application Deadline: September 28, 2025

INTRODUCTION

With over 40 years shaping Kenya’s consumer electronics and appliances market, Hotpoint Appliances Ltd is offering two strategic leadership opportunities: Cluster Manager (Mombasa) and Head of Built-In Appliances (Nairobi).

Both roles are designed for results-driven professionals with extensive retail, sales, and category management experience. The Cluster Manager will spearhead growth and efficiency in the coastal region, while the Head of Built-In Appliances will lead a specialized category central to Hotpoint’s expansion strategy.

These positions are ideal for leaders with commercial acumen, operational discipline, and the ability to execute strategies that drive sales, profitability, and customer satisfaction in a competitive Kenyan retail environment.

ABOUT HOTPOINT APPLIANCES LTD

Founded in 1984 with its first store at Sarit Centre, Nairobi, Hotpoint Appliances Ltd has grown into one of East Africa’s largest retail and distribution companies in home and commercial appliances. Over the years, the company has secured exclusive distributorships for major global brands including LG, Ariston, Westpoint, and Kenwood.

Hotpoint operates 20+ retail outlets and a robust distribution network serving Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Its portfolio covers consumer electronics, kitchen appliances, air conditioning systems, and built-in solutions for homes and businesses.

The company prides itself on:

• Customer-centricity: creating value through excellent service and after-sales support.
• Innovation: continuously evolving product lines and retail experiences.
• Trust: building long-term relationships with global suppliers and Kenyan households alike.

1. CLUSTER MANAGER – MOMBASA

JOB PURPOSE

The Cluster Manager will drive commercial and operational efficiency across Hotpoint’s coastal outlets, ensuring revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and sustainable profitability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Revenue Growth: Achieve sales, volume, and gross profit targets across all outlets.
• Market Expansion: Identify opportunities to grow market share and attract new customers.
• Sales Strategies: Implement promotional activities tailored to the coastal market.
• Competitor Analysis: Track trends and make data-driven recommendations.
• Operational Oversight: Manage stock, inventory, and daily outlet operations.
• Team Leadership: Guide Deputy Store Managers with coaching and performance reviews.
• Staffing & Training: Ensure optimal workforce levels and professional standards.
• Customer Experience: Drive satisfaction and loyalty through service initiatives.
• Partnerships: Build collaborations with malls, SACCOs, lifestyle brands, and influencers.
• Reporting: Prepare monthly performance reports with insights and corrective actions.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to policies, audit standards, and expenditure control.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales/Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in commercial/retail leadership (multi-branch preferred).
• Strong track record in driving sales growth and profitability.
• Excellent analytical, leadership, and communication skills.
• In-depth knowledge of retail pricing, margins, and operations.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced retail environment.

2. HEAD OF BUILT-IN APPLIANCES – NAIROBI

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Built-In Appliances will act as the central link across Hotpoint’s procurement, sales, service, installation, marketing, exports, online, and commercial teams to drive sustainable growth in the Built-In Appliances category.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategy: Develop short- and long-term growth strategies for the category.
• P&L Ownership: Manage sales, gross contribution, and profitability.
• Product Lineup: Lead product decisions using market trends and customer insights.
• Displays & Showrooms: Optimize built-in sections for customer engagement.
• Pipeline Management: Maintain updated project pipelines with conversion tracking.
• Stakeholder Relations: Build networks with developers, architects, designers, and B2B clients.
• Customer Service: Resolve issues promptly and ensure strong client trust.
• Marketing: Execute product launches, exhibitions, and B2B events within budget.
• Coordination: Serve as lead contact across retail, online, commercial, service, and export teams.
• Digital Growth: Support development of a dedicated built-in appliances website.
• Inventory: Ensure optimal stock rotation and minimal aging.
• Training: Act as lead trainer across departments on built-in appliances.
• Quality Control: Monitor installations and conduct periodic service audits.
• Market Insights: Stay updated on competitors and provide recommendations.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in sales/category management, including 3 years in leadership.
• Experience in project sales and managing B2B client relationships preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Proven commercial and financial acumen.
• Deep understanding of appliances market and installation processes.

COMPANY CULTURE & VALUES

At Hotpoint, leadership roles align with a culture of:

• High Performance: Clear KPIs tied to growth and profitability.
• Customer Focus: Every decision aims to improve satisfaction and loyalty.
• Innovation: Constantly exploring new product categories and retail partnerships.
• Integrity: Compliance with policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Collaboration: Strong teamwork across branches and functions.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Cover Letter to:

📧 careers@hotpoint.co.ke
Deadline: September 28, 2025

Ensure you clearly indicate the role applied for (Cluster Manager or Head of Built-In Appliances) in the subject line.

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TAGS

Cluster Manager Mombasa, Head of Built-In Appliances Nairobi, Hotpoint sales jobs Kenya, retail leadership careers Kenya, category management appliances, LG distributor jobs Kenya

—-END OF JOB DESCRIPTION—-

10 DETAILED ADMIN TIPS TO SUCCEED AS A CLUSTER MANAGER – HOTPOINT (COASTAL REGION)

1. Conduct Continuous Market Intelligence and Competitor Analysis

A Cluster Manager’s first responsibility is understanding the regional retail landscape. In Mombasa, Malindi, and Kilifi, customer needs differ from Nairobi. Coastal households often prioritize energy-efficient appliances due to high electricity costs and frequent outages. Regularly visit competitor stores (e.g., Naivas, Carrefour, or small independent electronics shops) to track pricing, promotions, stock mix, and service quality. Maintain a weekly competitor tracker spreadsheet with prices, discounts, and customer feedback overheard on the shop floor. Share insights with HQ in monthly reports. Doing this ensures Hotpoint reacts quickly with localized strategies instead of relying on Nairobi-centric campaigns.

2. Build Regional Partnerships to Drive Footfall and Sales

Growth at the coast depends on ecosystem partnerships. Partner with malls like City Mall Nyali, Sarit’s coastal partners, and supermarkets. Negotiate co-branded promotions with SACCOs to allow customers to buy appliances through instalment plans. For example, partner with a Mombasa teachers’ SACCO to provide special discounts on fridges during back-to-school season. Work with lifestyle events such as Mombasa Food Festival or Eid celebrations to set up branded demo kitchens. Such partnerships don’t just push sales—they build brand visibility in communities where relationships matter.

3. Develop and Empower Store Leadership Teams

You cannot be in every store every day. Train Deputy Store Managers to handle daily operations with independence. Establish clear KPIs for each outlet: revenue growth, customer satisfaction (via NPS surveys), and stock variance. Run monthly coaching clinics where deputies present challenges and solutions. Encourage peer learning by rotating deputies between outlets to exchange best practices. Empowered deputies reduce micromanagement and build a pipeline of future regional leaders.

4. Institute Zero-Tolerance Stock Variance Policies

Inventory mismanagement eats margins. As a Cluster Manager, introduce rigorous cycle counts (weekly for high-value items like TVs, monthly for smaller appliances). Use a variance dashboard that compares physical counts against system records. Investigate any discrepancy immediately—whether theft, mis-scanning, or poor documentation. Reward teams with a clean audit record, and impose accountability where negligence occurs. Strive for <0.5% variance tolerance, which should be a regional performance target.

5. Tailor Promotions to Coastal Customer Preferences

Generic promotions from HQ may miss local needs. At the coast, air conditioners, fans, and refrigerators sell heavily in hot months, while washing machines see spikes during rainy seasons. Partner with local influencers who speak Swahili and engage customers in coastal dialects. Run promotions around Ramadan, Eid, and Christmas when families upgrade homes. Collect seasonal sales data to build a promotion calendar that aligns with cultural and environmental cycles.

6. Balance Sales Growth With Operational Efficiency

Driving revenue without operational efficiency leads to chaos. Develop SOPs for customer checkouts, returns, and deliveries. For example, set a 10-minute maximum checkout target per customer. Streamline delivery routes in Mombasa and Malindi by clustering orders geographically to save fuel costs. Use daily dashboards that show sales per outlet, average transaction size, and customer wait times. Balancing sales and efficiency improves both profitability and customer loyalty.

7. Master Budget Management and Financial Discipline

As a Cluster Manager, you are accountable for P&L at the regional level. Track expenses against budget weekly. Monitor fixed costs (rent, utilities, staff salaries) and variable costs (marketing spend, repairs). For example, negotiate bulk utility contracts or optimize energy use in showrooms by switching to LED lighting. Present monthly financial reviews to HQ with actionable insights, not just numbers. Showing financial stewardship builds HQ trust and may justify requests for more regional investment.

8. Foster Customer Loyalty and Experience Excellence

Customer loyalty in Mombasa is relationship-driven. Encourage store staff to learn regular customers’ names and preferences. Introduce after-sales courtesy calls to check if appliances are working well. Partner with HQ to create coastal loyalty programs—points redeemable for small kitchen appliances, for instance. Encourage reception staff to log customer complaints into a CRM system and resolve them within 48 hours. Happy customers not only return but also become brand ambassadors in their communities.

9. Champion Cross-Outlet Collaboration

Hotpoint’s success depends on consistency. As Cluster Manager, facilitate quarterly regional workshops where all outlet teams share best practices. For instance, if Nyali branch successfully boosted blender sales through in-store demos, replicate this in Malindi. Create a shared WhatsApp group for store managers to post daily sales numbers, challenges, and quick wins. Collaboration prevents silos and lifts performance across the cluster.

10. Represent Hotpoint Externally as a Regional Brand Leader

As the senior-most representative at the coast, your role extends beyond the stores. Build relationships with county governments, business chambers, and property developers. Attend local forums as Hotpoint’s ambassador to advocate for partnerships and expansion. Visibility strengthens the brand’s reputation as the go-to household appliance partner in the region.

10 DETAILED ADMIN TIPS TO SUCCEED AS HEAD OF BUILT-IN APPLIANCES – HOTPOINT (NAIROBI HQ)

1. Own the Category P&L With Laser Focus

The Built-In Appliances division is profit and loss driven. Build a weekly P&L dashboard that breaks down revenue by product line (ovens, hobs, hoods, dishwashers), gross margins, and project costs. Monitor aging stock closely—any unit unsold beyond 90 days is a liability. Work with procurement to avoid over-ordering slow movers. Present actionable insights to management: e.g., “Reduce procurement of 90cm ovens; allocate more budget to induction hobs based on showroom conversions.”

2. Build and Maintain a Robust Project Pipeline

Unlike retail, built-in appliances succeed through large projects with developers, architects, and interior designers. Maintain a live project tracker with deal stage, pipeline value, and conversion probability. For instance, track residential developments in Kilimani or Ruiru and map appliance packages for show apartments. Always insist on MoUs, deposits, and payment schedules to reduce financial exposure.

3. Nurture B2B Relationships With Key Stakeholders

Your success hinges on architects, contractors, and interior designers. Host quarterly networking breakfasts with design professionals at Sarit Centre showrooms. Offer technical demos of built-in packages, highlighting energy efficiency and durability. Build trust by providing design-ready CAD files to architects, making it easier for them to include Hotpoint products in project designs.

4. Curate World-Class Showroom Experiences

Built-in appliances need to be experienced. Work with showroom teams to design demo kitchens where customers can test ovens, hobs, and dishwashers. Update displays quarterly to reflect trends. For instance, urban customers increasingly demand smart appliances—integrate IoT-enabled ovens into displays. Track conversion rates pre- and post-display updates to measure ROI.

5. Lead Procurement With Data and Insight

Avoid procurement driven by gut instinct. Use sales analytics and market surveys to determine demand. If induction cooktops are trending, secure adequate stock. Ensure procurement contracts allow flexibility to adjust orders if demand shifts. Strong procurement alignment reduces stock write-offs and increases category profitability.

6. Drive Integrated Marketing and Promotions

Coordinate with Marketing to run multi-channel campaigns: online ads, in-store activations, B2B exhibitions, and influencer collaborations. For instance, create “Complete Kitchen Packages” (oven + hob + hood) at promotional pricing. Align marketing calendars with construction cycles, since developers seek installations during project finalization.

7. Orchestrate Cross-Functional Coordination

This role requires synchronizing procurement, sales, marketing, installation, and service. Introduce weekly alignment meetings where each department updates progress and flags bottlenecks. For example, ensure installation teams are staffed and ready before launching a sales campaign. Alignment prevents project delays and boosts customer satisfaction.

8. Elevate Installation Standards and Training

Built-in appliance installations make or break customer satisfaction. Develop a training curriculum for technicians covering safety, electrical compliance, and customer etiquette. Institute site audits and track KPIs: installation time, rework rate, and customer satisfaction scores. Reward installation teams with bonuses for clean audit records and on-time delivery.

9. Stay Ahead of Competitor Innovations and Trends

Competitors may launch new products or pricing strategies. Assign a team to conduct quarterly competitor benchmarking—visit rival showrooms, track their digital campaigns, and study pricing. For example, if Samsung launches smart ovens, evaluate whether to introduce similar lines or emphasize Hotpoint’s European design strengths. Proactive market intelligence helps you outmaneuver competition.

10. Train and Mentor Teams Across the Value Chain

As Head of Built-In Appliances, your leadership extends beyond sales. Develop training modules for sales staff (product knowledge), installers (technical accuracy), and online teams (digital merchandising). Conduct bi-annual training sessions and evaluate effectiveness via pre- and post-training tests. Mentorship builds loyalty, reduces turnover, and ensures consistent customer experiences across touchpoints.