Interim General Manager for Sea Cucumber Company in Fiji

Job Details

The opportunity

SDI is at an early start-up stage and now seeks a dynamic, innovative, and commercially astute General Manager to lead the rollout of approved strategic and business plans. Reporting to the Board and working closely with MPL, you will build the organization, establish operations, and take our mariculture enterprise from pilot to scale while maintaining strong community, environmental, and market outcomes.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and execution

·      Lead implementation of SDI’s strategic and business plans; translate strategy into measurable work plans, budgets, and milestones.

·      Establish and refine the end-to-end value chain (hatchery/stock, grow-out, processing, quality assurance, logistics, and market channels).

Organization building and leadership

·      Recruit, lead, and develop a capable multidisciplinary team; embed a culture of safety, integrity, performance, and learning.

·      Integrate traditional governance with modern cooperative and corporate practices to ensure inclusive, community-led decision-making.

Operations and continuous improvement

·      Build scalable operating systems, SOPs, and digital tools for farm, processing, traceability, and inventory management.

·      Drive innovation and continuous improvement in husbandry, biosecurity, and post-harvest handling to meet market and certification standards.

Commercial and market development

·      Develop and manage domestic and export market channels; negotiate offtake and partnership agreements.

·      Ensure SDI owns and controls the value chain to maximize returns to resource owners, including transparent pricing and benefit-sharing.

Finance, risk, and compliance

·      Oversee budgeting, financial management, cash flow, procurement, and reporting.

·      Manage risk, HSE, regulatory compliance (e.g., Ministry of Fisheries), and donor/impact reporting, including ESG and blue carbon outcomes.

Stakeholder engagement

·      Build trusted relationships with the Vanua, fishing rights owners, community leaders, Donors (WWF/DFAT), Government agencies, researchers, and customers.

·      Provide timely, strategic advice and reporting to the Board; prepare Board papers and present recommendations.

What makes this role unique

·      Mission-first, community-owned enterprise with the mandate to deliver measurable social, cultural, environmental, and commercial outcomes.

·      Regenerative mariculture model focused on ecosystem restoration and blue carbon benefits on the Great Sea Reef.

·      Rare opportunity to build a sector-shaping enterprise from the ground up in partnership with global conservation and impact investment leaders.

Requirements

Ideal experience and capabilities

·      5+ years in aquaculture/mariculture, fisheries, agribusiness, or related primary production, including at least 2 years in a senior leadership or GM/operations role.

·      Proven experience taking early-stage or growth-stage production businesses to scale, ideally within mariculture (sea cucumber experience is an advantage).

·      Strong commercial acumen: budgeting, unit economics, supply chain, contracting, and market development (domestic and export).

·      Demonstrated capability in community engagement and working within indigenous or traditional governance contexts.

·      Familiarity with donor-funded programs, impact reporting, HSE, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance.

·      Comfortable implementing digital systems for operations, traceability, and performance management.

·      Relevant degree in aquaculture, marine science, fisheries, business, or similar; equivalent experience considered.

Key attributes

·      Purpose-driven, culturally grounded, and respectful collaborator.

·      Hands-on builder who balances strategy with execution.

·      Data-informed decision-maker with strong problem-solving and communication skills.

·      Resilient, adaptable, and committed to safety, quality, and continuous learning.

Contact Information

How to apply

·      Submit a cover letter (addressing the key responsibilities and competencies), CV, and contact details for three referees.

·      Email: malakai@matanataki.com and, jodi@matanataki.com - Subject line: Application – General Manager, SDI – [Your Name]

·      Closing date: 14th November 2025

·      Queries: malakai@matanataki.com, varun@matanataki.com

SDI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.