GEMECHIS SHELEME KABETA

Product Owner

Addis Ababa, ET.

About

Highly accomplished Product Owner and Strategic Leader with a proven track record in digital transformation, B2B e-commerce, and SaaS solutions within FMCG and marketplace sectors. Adept at driving growth strategies, optimizing complex systems, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve measurable business outcomes. Combines deep technical understanding with strategic planning and a commitment to leveraging technology for social impact, including expertise in AI ethics and market development for underserved communities.

Work

KEGNA BEVERAGES

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PRODUCT OWNER

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Summary

Product Owner driving digital transformation in distribution and B2B E-commerce for a FMCG company, focusing on system requirements, DMS deployment, and loyalty program design.

Highlights

Optimized route-to-market strategies through cross-functional collaboration with vendors and internal teams, ensuring alignment with critical business objectives.

Led comprehensive requirement gathering and successful deployment of Kegna's B2B & Distribution Management System, streamlining digital distribution processes.

Designed and implemented a B2B e-commerce growth roadmap, successfully onboarding 3,000+ users within six months.

Facilitated a 100-person strategy workshop with Regional Sales Managers and Area Sales Managers to define precise system requirements for digital transformation initiatives.

WASHLINK GENERAL CLEANING SERVICE

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CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Summary

Co-founded and led the growth strategy for a marketplace SaaS/B2B company, overseeing multi-channel marketing, lead generation, and brand development.

Highlights

Co-founded and directed the comprehensive growth strategy for a marketplace SaaS/B2B company, driving market penetration and expansion.

Designed and executed multi-channel marketing strategies, significantly improving customer acquisition and retention rates.

Developed and implemented a scalable lead generation and sales pipeline, securing new enterprise clients.

Enhanced brand positioning and managed the digital presence across all platforms, boosting market visibility and engagement.

WASHLINK GENERAL CLEANING SERVICE

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STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISOR

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Summary

Advised on strategic plans for IT, SaaS service sales, and supply chain, focusing on B2B marketing, system reliability, and cross-functional alignment.

Highlights

Developed strategic plans for IT and SaaS-based service sales and supply chain, optimizing operational efficiency and market reach.

Provided expert advisory on B2B marketplace app marketing and digital transformation initiatives, enhancing platform adoption.

Ensured seamless vendor consistency and robust system reliability, enhancing service delivery for enterprise clients.

Led cross-functional alignment across IT, operations, and sales teams, improving collaboration and project execution.

SON-SCHOOL OF NATIONS

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TEACHER, AND ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Summary

Designed and delivered training sessions, developed curriculum, and mentored students and professionals in AI, machine learning, entrepreneurship, and career development.

Highlights

Designed and delivered specialized training sessions on AI, machine learning, and emerging technologies for the 'Young Scientist, Tomorrow's Leaders Hub' extracurricular program.

Led curriculum development and instruction for entrepreneurship and career development courses, mentoring 55 high school and elementary students.

Coordinated weekly training modules for 33 professionals, enhancing their skills in relevant fields.

Provided high-level administrative support to executives, ensuring efficient workflow and task execution within the academic environment.

WASHLINK GENERAL CLEANING SERVICE

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JUNIOR STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVISOR

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Summary

Contributed to growth roadmap alignment, market research, and go-to-market planning for a gig platform empowering underrepresented workers.

Highlights

Aligned growth roadmap with impact-driven milestones, empowering 50,000+ underrepresented workers, including housewives and youth, through strategic initiatives.

Conducted comprehensive market research and ecosystem mapping, informing go-to-market strategies for a gig platform tailored to local realities.

Contributed to the design and evaluation of a local-language AI voice assistant, improving user onboarding and engagement by overcoming literacy barriers.

Leveraged strategic thinking, user-centric analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver inclusive, tech-enabled solutions.

Volunteer

Volunteer Researcher

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Sophos Africa

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Part-time volunteer researcher and ambassador advancing the organization's mission through research, strategic initiatives, and promotion of values.

Highlights

Conducted in-depth research on socio-economic and political issues impacting African communities.

Contributed to the development of strategic initiatives focused on poverty alleviation and ethical entrepreneurship.

Promoted organizational values and objectives, fostering a critical mass of change agents to drive impactful projects and initiatives across Africa.

Volunteer-teacher

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AVA

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Served as a volunteer teacher, delivering educational content and mentoring students to foster academic skills and community service.

Highlights

Instrumental in shaping commitment to education and community service through work at AVA.

Delivered educational content and mentored high school and university students, fostering essential academic skills.

Empowered over 600 students annually during university summer breaks, fostering a supportive learning environment and contributing to community development.

TOT Volunteer

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DOT

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Volunteered for Training of Trainers (TOT) program, contributing to youth empowerment and leadership development.

Highlights

Contributed to youth empowerment through the Training of Trainers (TOT) program at DOT, fostering early leadership development.

Trained and mentored young individuals, equipping them with skills and knowledge to drive positive community change.

Developed leadership and facilitation skills while impacting numerous aspiring youth leaders.

Education

Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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MA Leadership and Management

Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU)

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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BSc Robotics and Automation Engineering Grade: 3.44

Awards

Award of Excellence

Ambo Alumina Association

Thesis Excellence

Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology

Awarded "A" for MA thesis.

Publications

The Approach of Leaders Towards Developing a Machine Learning World

Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (Ethical Leadership course)

Selected as the top submission in the Ethical Leadership course, contributing to the discourse on AI leadership dilemmas in the Global South.

Languages

AFAAN OROMO

AMHARIC

ENGLISH

Skills

Software & Productivity Tools

Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word.

Product Management

System Requirements, Distribution Management System (DMS), Loyalty Program Design, B2B E-commerce, Growth Roadmap Design, Product Ownership, Route-to-Market Strategy.

Marketing & Sales

Multi-channel Marketing, Customer Acquisition, Customer Retention, Lead Generation, Sales Pipeline Management, Brand Positioning, Digital Presence Management, B2B Marketplace Marketing.

Strategic Planning & Advisory

Strategic Thinking, Growth Strategy, IT Strategy, SaaS Service Sales, Supply Chain Management, Digital Transformation, Ecosystem Mapping, Go-to-Market Planning.

AI & Technology

AI Voice Assistant Integration, Machine Learning, AI Ethics, Automation, Robotics.

Leadership & Management

Cross-functional Collaboration, Team Leadership, Curriculum Development, Mentoring, Academic Supervision, Project Management, Facilitation, Organizational Alignment.

Research & Analysis

Market Research, User-Centric Analysis, Socio-economic Research, Data Analysis.

Social Impact & Development

Youth Empowerment, Community Service, Poverty Alleviation, Ethical Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Solutions.

Projects

Automation of Packaging System

Summary

Designed a new packaging system for East African Bottling (Coca-Cola) using a 240 EPM electro-permanent magnet gripper plate, replacing outdated manual techniques. This project was highly regarded for its potential to enable full automation.