Olisa Araka

Background

About Olisa Araka

I am a senior manufacturing and operations executive with over a decade of progressive leadership experience in the beverage industry across West Africa, working with global giants such as Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company and AB InBev. My expertise spans end-to-end beverage production, franchise operations, supply chain leadership, and P&L management—grounded in deep technical knowledge and business acumen. Currently serving as Plant Manager at Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, I lead one of the region’s most complex and high-performing plants, managing over 550 people and multiple high-speed production lines. Under my leadership, the plant has achieved over 40% volume growth, sustained double-digit efficiency improvements, and delivered top-tier employee engagement (96%+), while upholding world-class standards in safety, quality, and sustainability. My journey began in brewing science and has evolved through hands-on experience in greenfield launches, CAPEX execution, strategic transformation projects, and operational excellence programs across Nigeria and Ghana. I hold an MBA, a Diploma in Brewing, and other professional certifications that enable me to bridge strategy and execution effectively. What sets me apart is a relentless focus on building resilient, agile, and high-performing teams. I believe in empowering people, driving cultural transformation, and aligning operations with broader business goals to deliver lasting impact. I’m now looking to leverage this experience at a global or regional level—partnering to shape the future of manufacturing through agility, innovation, and purposeful leadership.