Supply Chain Manager- UPL at Orchid HR Outsourcing

Position Overview

We are seeking a strategic and operationally excellent Supply Chain Manager to lead end-to-end supply chain operations across East Africa. This senior leadership role demands exceptional expertise in inventory management, strategic sourcing, logistics coordination, and regional market dynamics. The Supply Chain Manager will lead teams, set operational standards, manage budgets with local decision-making authority, and drive cross-functional coordination to ensure seamless flow of materials and finished goods.

Key Responsibilities

Managing Materials and Finished Goods Inventory

Goods Receiving

• Lead the receiving team, planning workflows and delegating responsibilities to ensure efficient, accurate intake operations
• Develop staffing plans and resource allocation for peak receiving periods

Storage & Location Management

• Set standards for warehouse organization, bin location systems, and storage optimization
• Monitor performance against space utilization, retrieval efficiency, and safety metrics
• Drive continuous improvement in warehouse layout and material handling processes

Inventory Control

• Coordinate cross-functionally with production planning, procurement, and finance on inventory strategy
• Optimize stock levels, reduce carrying costs, and minimize obsolescence risk
• Lead cycle count programs and inventory accuracy initiatives

Materials Issuance

• Exercise budget responsibility with authority for local decision-making on inventory investments and operational expenditures
• Approve material allocations and prioritize issuance based on production criticality

Finished Goods Dispatch

• Apply deep East Africa market awareness to optimize dispatch scheduling, route planning, and customer prioritization
• Ensure seamless coordination between production completion and customer delivery

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field; MBA or Master\'s preferred
• 6+ years of supply chain experience with minimum 3 years in leadership roles within manufacturing, packaging, or FMCG sectors
• Demonstrated experience leading teams, planning and delegating work, and setting operational standards
• Proven budget responsibility with P&L or cost center management in supply chain functions
• Deep East Africa market awareness including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and DRC markets
• Experience managing regulatory relationships with customs, tax authorities, and trade bodies
• System administration experience with ERP platforms (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar)
• Track record of coaching and developing supply chain professionals
• Exceptional cross-functional coordination and stakeholder management capabilities
• Experience managing regional distribution networks and multi-country logistics operations