Francis Kitsovi

Experienced Cement Quality and Production Operations professional with 18+ years of experience across integrated cement manufacturing, quality assurance, laboratory operations, plant chemistry, quarrying, raw materials, production performance, HSE and operational improvement within multinational cement organisations. Experienced in leading the interface between Quality, Production, Maintenance, Quarry, Logistics and HSE, with a strong understanding of the complete cement manufacturing process from raw materials and clinker production through grinding, finished-product quality, dispatch and customer requirements.

Former Quality Assurance

Manager with responsibility for approximately 15 direct and 50 indirect employees, complemented by extensive operational HSE leadership involving approximately 160 employees and 300+ contractors. Strong technical background in cement chemistry, laboratory management, product development, process optimisation, quality systems and production performance management. Demonstrated success implementing QMS/QIMS, production information systems, Mill Master, digital operational tools, quality-control systems, KPI monitoring and process-improvement initiatives.

Proven experience supporting new product development, grinding optimisation, energy efficiency, environmental performance and major plant projects. HSE leadership is a significant supporting strength, providing an integrated approach to safe production, critical risk management, environmental compliance, contractor management and operational reliability.

Operational Health & Safety Manager - Bamburi Cement PLC (formerly a member of Holcim, and now a member of AMSONS Group since 2025) - Mombasa, Kenya

(2021-10)

Provided operational leadership supporting integrated cement manufacturing operations, with strong interaction across Production, Quality, Maintenance, Logistics and contractors.

• Providing leadership for HSE performance across plant operations, production, maintenance, dispatch and contractor activities.
• Working closely with operational teams to identify and eliminate production-related risks and improve operational controls.
• Monitoring plant performance through production, maintenance, cost and sustainability KPIs.
• Supported operational improvement projects, shutdowns and major engineering projects.
• Leading contractor management and workforce engagement involving approximately 160 employees and 300+ contractors.
• Supporting implementation of digital tools for inspections, production reporting, hazard management and operational monitoring.
• Supporting environmental compliance and dust/emissions improvement programmes.
• Leading audits, inspections, risk assessments and corrective-action programmes.
• Contributed to development of operational policies, standards and management systems.
• Supported safe execution of a US$2.3 million kiln-shell replacement project.
• Supported a US$3.7 million bag-filter project to improve environmental performance.
• Led a US$0.3 million dust-emission improvement project.
• Reduced respirable dust exposure from approximately 50% of OSHA PEL to below 25% through engineering controls.
• Supported onboarding of transport companies representing approximately 40% of the fleet, balancing safety and cost optimization.
• Led onboarding of approximately 130 contractor personnel, representing about 50% of the industrial workforce during major plant activities.
• Implemented digital tools including mobile inspections, hazard reporting, GPS/geofencing and driver-behaviour monitoring.
• Strengthened critical controls covering energy isolation, electrical safety, structural integrity, process safety, fuels, hot materials and explosion risks.

Quality Assurance Manager - Bamburi Cement PLC (a member of Holcim) - Mombasa, Kenya

(2016-09 - 2021-12)

Led Quality Assurance activities supporting cement manufacturing, laboratory operations, product quality, process improvement and Quality Management Systems.

• Managing Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities across cement manufacturing operations.
• Managing laboratory staff, 15 direct and 50 indirect employees.
• Managing laboratory testing, quality analysis, sampling and product conformity.
• Continuously improve Quality Management Systems in line with ISO 9001.
• Working closely with Production and Operations to address quality deviations and optimize process parameters.
• Analysis of quality and production data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Leading root-cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Leading and resolve customer quality complaints and technical investigations.
• Conducting and participated in quality audits within multinational operations.
• Supporting product development, process optimization and quality improvement projects.
• Managing quality information through QIMS and digital reporting systems.
• Led/participated in QMS audits across Kenya, Uganda and other LafargeHolcim operations.
• Implemented Quality Information Management System (QIMS).
• Introduced Quality Mix Control software, improving product uniformity.
• Supported introduction of CEM I 42.5, MC 12.5 and MC 22.5 cement products.
• Introduced cost-effective grinding aids and process solutions for cement production.
• Supported acquisition and implementation of X-ray diffraction technology for quality analysis and control.
• Developed and certified laboratory personnel as quality shift operators.
• Strengthened quality monitoring, laboratory capability and data-driven decision making.

Quarry Manager - Bamburi Cement PLC (a member of Holcim) - Mombasa, Kenya

(2018-01 - 2018-12)

Managed quarry production and raw-material supply activities supporting continuous cement plant operations.

• Managed limestone quarry production and raw-material supply.
• Coordinated quarry production with plant production requirements.
• Managed raw-material transportation and operational interfaces.
• Supported quarry mapping and mining-plan development.
• Coordinated quarry stakeholders and contractors.
• Monitored raw-material quality and availability.
• Supported production planning and continuity of raw-material supply.
• Ensured continuity and quality of limestone/raw-material supply to support cement manufacturing requirements.

Plant Chemist - Bamburi Cement Ltd (a member of LafargeHolcim) - Mombasa, Kenya

(2012-06 - 2016-08)

Provided technical and process support to cement manufacturing operations, working across production, quality and process optimisation activities.

• Monitored plant process and cement quality parameters.
• Supported production teams in troubleshooting process and quality deviations.
• Analysed process and laboratory data to support operational decisions.
• Supported optimisation of cement production processes.
• Worked with production teams on product quality and process consistency.
• Supported implementation of production and quality improvement initiatives.
• Participated in development and optimisation of cement products.
• Supported use of process-control and production information systems.
• Introduced cost-effective grinding aids and process solutions for cement production.
• Supported introduction and optimisation of new cement products.
• Contributed to plant process optimisation and energy-efficiency initiatives.

Quality Chemist - Bamburi Cement ltd (a member of Lafarge) - Mombasa, Kenya

(2010-09 - 2012-06)

• Conducted cement and raw-material quality testing and analysis.
• Monitored product conformity against specifications.
• Supported laboratory quality management and process-control activities.
• Used statistical data analysis to identify quality trends and process deviations.
• Supported quality audits and corrective-action implementation.
• Participated in QMS improvement initiatives.
• Supported introduction of CEM I 42.5, MC 12.5 and MC 22.5 cement products.
• Introduced cost-effective grinding aids and process solutions for cement production.
• Supported acquisition and implementation of X-ray diffraction technology for quality analysis and control.
• Developed and certified laboratory personnel as quality shift operators.
• Strengthened quality monitoring, laboratory capability and data-driven decision making.
• Introduced Quality Mix Control software to improve product uniformity and quality consistency.

Quarry & Raw materials Chemist - Bamburi Cement ltd (a member of Lafarge) - Mombasa, Kenya

(2007-08 - 2010-09)

• Supported quarry and raw-material quality management.
• Conducted raw-material testing and analysis.
• Supported limestone quarry mapping and mining-plan development.
• Participated in raw-material prospecting and supplier evaluations.
• Supported raw-material supply planning and quality assurance.
• Worked with quarry and plant teams to ensure suitable raw-material quality and continuity of supply.

Internship - Bamburi Cement ltd (a member of Lafarge) - Mombasa, Kenya

(2006-05 - 2007-02)

Supported laboratory, production and quality-related activities within cement manufacturing operations.

Master of Business Administration - MBA - NIBM Global (2026 - 2027)

Master's - Safety, Health & Environment Management - Ken Institute (2025 - 2026)

Bachelor of Science - Chemistry - Moi University (2002 - 2006)