CEO | Open Roles at Qazi Works

We're retained to find an exceptional CEO for IPS, Kampala Pharmaceutical Industries, based in Uganda.

🔍 About KPI

Kampala Pharmaceutical Industries (KPI ) is one of East Africa’s growing pharmaceutical manufacturers.

They are part of the IPS Group, a pan-African investment group dedicated to building businesses that address real-world problems, particularly health, education, energy, and food.

At KPI, they don’t just manufacture products; they deliver solutions that transform lives. They operate at the intersection of science, impact, and sustainable scale.

Why this role exists

IPS Group is a pan-African investment group that builds businesses addressing critical needs in health, education, energy, and food. As part of this mission, Kampala Pharmaceutical Industries (KPI) is entering an exciting new growth phase.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of a group that balances profitability and purpose, where delivering strong financial results goes hand in hand with creating a real, measurable impact across East Africa.

The CEO will drive revenue growth, lead new product launches, commission a new manufacturing plant, and strengthen a team of 350+ employees.

They will have full P&L ownership and operational control, reporting directly to the Sector CEO of IPS Group, Healthcare

What you’ll be responsible for

Grow the Business

Drive revenue growth across core and new product lines.
Optimize pricing, margins, and market share in East Africa and beyond.

Product Innovation & Execution

Oversee the development and launch of new pharmaceutical products.
Ensure timelines, compliance, and market fit.

New Plant Commissioning

Lead the successful completion and operationalization of a new manufacturing facility.
Deliver to quality, timeline, and budget targets.

Lead the Team

Manage and grow a diverse team of 350+ across all functions.
Strengthen leadership layers and build a culture of high accountability.

Navigate Stakeholders

Build strong relationships with IPS leadership, regulators, government agencies, and strategic clients.
Pay close attention to internal dynamics, especially with the Sector CEO.

What you already know how to do

End-to-end leadership experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Full P&L ownership across operations, commercial strategy, finance, compliance, and HR.

Your strong foundation

Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
Deep financial fluency and strategic execution skills.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing experience

How you show up

Lead with discipline and warmth, respected, not feared.
Make fast, sound decisions based on data and real-world context.
Remain relentless about performance, grounded in ethics and purpose.
If relocating, bring cultural humility and local adaptability.

Why join KPI now

This role comes at a pivotal time. The East Africa Healthcare (EAH) sector is expanding rapidly and is driven by ambitious partnerships and pipeline projects.

Through collaborations like the recently announced joint venture between IPS and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, the group is doubling its commitment to supply high-quality, affordable medicines across the region.

This is a rare opportunity to join a business and a rising sector where profitability and purpose meet, and where your leadership can shape health outcomes across the continent.

Why else?

Competitive Compensation