**Expanded Human Resources Strategy for Boaz Trading PLC**
### **1. Team Structure and Roles**
The 15-employee team is strategically organized to align with the company’s dual focus on local authenticity and global appeal:
| **Department** | **Roles & Responsibilities** | **Headcount** |
|-----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|
| **Design & Production** | - **Lead Designer**: Oversees fusion of Ethiopian motifs with global trends.
- **Textile Artisans**: Handcraft premium Cannes Collection details (e.g., embroidery).
- **Pattern Makers**: Optimize fabric usage for cost efficiency. | 5 (1 lead, 4 designers/artisans) |
| **Sales & Marketing** | - **Store Managers**: Oversee Addis flagship and pop-ups.
- **E-Commerce Specialists**: Manage Shopify/Amazon platforms.
- **Influencer Liaisons**: Coordinate partnerships with Ethiopian celebrities. | 6 (2 store managers, 3 digital sales, 1 marketing) |
| **Logistics & Supply Chain** | - **Procurement Officer**: Source organic cotton and manage supplier relationships.
- **Export Compliance Manager**: Ensure AGOA/EU standards.
- **Inventory Coordinator**: Optimize stock levels across channels. | 4 (1 procurement, 1 compliance, 2 inventory) |
**Leadership**:
- **CEO/Founder**: Strategic vision and global partnerships.
- **Operations Manager**: Day-to-day oversight of production and logistics.
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### **2. Recruitment Strategy**
- **Local Talent Focus**: Prioritize hires from Ethiopian fashion hubs (Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar) with expertise in traditional crafts.
- **Partnership-Driven Recruitment**: Collaborate with **Ethiopian Fashion & Textile Institute (EFTI)** and **Hawassa University** for internships and job placements.
- **Diaspora Engagement**: Target Ethiopian returnees with international experience in luxury fashion or e-commerce.
---
### **3. Training & Development**
**Partnerships**:
- **Ethiopian Fashion & Textile Institute (EFTI)**:
- **Certification Programs**: GOTS compliance, sustainable dyeing techniques.
- **Workshops**: Digital design tools (Adobe Suite, CLO3D) for modernizing traditional patterns.
- **Addis Ababa University**:
- **Export Compliance Training**: AGOA documentation, EU REACH regulations.
- **Language Skills**: English/French courses for international client interactions.
**Internal Programs**:
- **Cultural Storytelling Bootcamps**: Train sales teams to articulate the heritage behind designs (e.g., Lalibela Cross motifs).
- **Tech Upskilling**: Logistics staff learn IoT inventory tracking via Safaricom’s platform.
- **Sustainability Masterclasses**: Partner with **Farm Africa** to teach circular economy practices.
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### **4. Employee Retention & Benefits**
- **Competitive Compensation**:
- Salaries 15% above market average (e.g., designers: 12,000 ETB/month vs. industry 10,000 ETB).
- Performance bonuses tied to sales targets and sustainability metrics.
- **Career Pathways**:
- Artisans can advance to “Master Craftsperson” roles with equity incentives.
- Sales staff promoted to regional managers for East African expansion.
- **Work-Life Balance**:
- Flexible hours during cultural festivals (e.g., Meskel).
- On-site childcare at Hawassa production facility.
---
### **5. Compliance & Ethics**
- **Labor Standards**: Adhere to Ethiopia’s 2022 Labor Proclamation, including 40-hour workweeks and overtime pay.
- **Health & Safety**: Monthly audits at production sites; PPE provided for dyeing/stitching teams.
- **Ethical Sourcing**: Publish annual transparency reports via blockchain (VeChain) to verify fair wages for farmers.
---
### **6. Community Impact**
- **Artisan Empowerment**: Train 50 rural weavers annually through EFTI partnerships, integrating their techniques into collections.
- **Youth Employment**: Reserve 30% of entry-level roles for graduates of **Addis Ababa Technical School**.
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### **KPIs for Success**
- **Training Effectiveness**: 90% completion rate for compliance programs; 50% boost in designer productivity post-upskilling.
- **Retention**: 85% employee retention Year 1.
- **Community Impact**: 100 artisans trained by 2025.
By prioritizing skill development, ethical practices, and cultural pride, Boaz Trading PLC’s HR strategy ensures a motivated team capable of driving both local relevance and global growth.