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; Ensure 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: Leads a department of approx. 10,000 employees with multiple dimensions and disciplines.. These responsibilities are carried out WITH the objective of effectively overseeing distribution operations WITHIN the limits of NEPRA guidelines and benchmarks i.e. defined grid and distribution code of conduct, eligibility criteria etc., 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 creating a conducive working environment to build and sustain an engaged and committed team
• Creates a sense of purpose and self-fulfillment among subordinates; creates the need for empathy when necessary
• Delegates the responsibilities to the direct reports and creates a sense of urgency; Keeps the team emotionally aware, sensitive and open to accepting planned changes for the greater good
• Leads by example, motivates and maintains a competent and high performing staff, capable to meet current and future needs; Identifies training and development requirements of subordinates to take 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 i.e. conflict management, grievances handling, disciplinary issues etc. of the Department

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 yearly basis as per capacity( target allocation on technical Scorecard)
• Conducts team meetings and provides guideline for effective implementation of department strategy; Monitors implementation throughout and provides support in resolution of escalated issues
• Communicates network performance expectations that translate into targets in Technical Scorecard. Reports performance to supervisor and board on periodic and need basis
• Conducts team meetings (Clusters) on monthly basis to assesses performance against defined targets with the help of Technical Scorecard
• Aligns long term inventory and infrastructure related requirements with supply chain, defines timelines and follows up to ensure timely provision of the same
• Ensures that all process within network operations are in adherence to HSE SOPs.
• Acquires budget utilization trends from regions and clusters on periodic basis as per requirements; Analyzes trends, identifies performance gaps and notifies the same to concerned Cluster 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; Negotiates and finalizes budget with business finance while defending the departments stance
• 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 annual/quarterly basis (target allocation on Commercial Scorecard)
• Monitors progress of business plan throughout the year and provides support in resolution of escalated matters
• Gauges progress/status in terms of commercial target achievement and identifies operational gaps; analyzes situation and suggests corrective actions accordingly for rectification of the same i.e. additional resource requirements etc.
• Reviews and approves corrective actions versus performance gaps, to ensure efficiency as well as achievement of targets as per commercial scorecard
• Reports performance to supervisor and board, on periodic basis and incorporates operational suggestions provided
• Conducts team meetings (IBCs and Clusters) on monthly basis and assesses performance against defined targets with the help of commercial scorecard
• Ensures that all process within distribution operations are in line with the KE’s value of customer centricity
• Evaluates, recommends and authorizes changes in policy, processes and infrastructure that ultimately reduce complaint resolution time as well as reduce the number of complaints against both network performance and billing
• Attends monthly meetings with business finance to review progress of all region/ 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 to various planned events/occurrences and unplanned occurrences throughout the year.
• Coordinates with concerned internal stakeholders for resolution of escalated consumers’ issues and complaints pertaining to electricity distribution/provision and power outages etc.
• Represents KE’s on various meetings with government bodies for discussing distribution related matters. Negotiates to secure organizational interests, in light of limitations that effect the operating environment. Fosters healthy relationships to speed up decision making processes and negotiates to secure organizational interests
• Attends NEPRA hearings, presents distribution related technical matters of the organization and highlights KE’s point of view; Discusses all concerns related to organization wide accounts; Assures compliance with defined regulatory and distribution related guidelines.
• Aligns expectations and requirements of the distribution business with all internal stakeholders/business partners for smooth delivery of business plan
• Interacts with all support departments on efficient decision making on matters effecting the operations; Ensures that the activities of all departments having an impact on overall operations are aligned