Jonathan Cairns

Results-driven senior executive with extensive leadership experience across Africa's food, retail, and manufacturing sectors. Recognised for building high-performance teams, leading business transformations, and driving operational excellence in complex, multi-country environments. Combines commercial acumen with hands-on leadership, delivering sustained profitability, cultural change, and business growth.

General Manager - Foods Factory - Cape Town, South Africa

(2022-11)

• Lead a full operational and financial turnaround, returning the business to profitability for the first time in its history.
• Drove cultural and performance transformation recognised nationally — recipient of a National Productivity Award for operational excellence and workforce engagement.
• Oversaw strategic relocation and expansion into larger, company-owned premises, positioning the business for future scale and product diversification.
• Strengthened organisational structure, increasing total staff complement and transitioning multiple team members from temporary to permanent employment.
• Championed quality, compliance, and FSSC food safety standards while fostering a culture of accountability and teamwork.

National Manager / General Manager - Various African Markets (Food, Clothing, Retail) - Nigeria, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Zambia, Swaziland, South Africa

• Lead retail and operational expansion initiatives in Nigeria, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Zambia, Swaziland, and South Africa.
• Delivered multi-site performance improvement, new store openings, supply chain optimisation, and workforce capability development.
• Implemented strategic marketing, customer experience, and retail management systems across emerging markets.

Bachelor - Economics - University of the Western Cape

Certificate - Management Development Programme - UNISA

Certificate - Management - MANCOSA

MBA - MANCOSA