Regional Supply Chain Operations Manager at Sightsavers

About the Role

• The Regional Supply Chain Operations Manager (RSCOM)2 is part of the Programme Supply Chain (PSC) team. This role supports programme teams and Country Offices (COs) in supply chain management and compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards.
• The RSCOM 2 WARO position is field-based and works with other regional roles to provide support to the Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Liberia COs. This includes helping with planning, procurement, logistics, and custom clearance, ensuring adherence to PSC, Quality Management System (QMS), and GDP operating standards.
• The goal is to build the capacity of COs in procurement and supply chain activities, ensuring Sightsavers’ programmes and COs are well-resourced and risks to the organization’s reputation are managed.

Responsibilities

• Understand Sightsavers’ operating models and PSC requirements, focusing on planning, GDP standards, and best practices across WARO COs.
• Collaborate with the Controller PSC and other RSCOMs to support WARO COs and programme teams in planning, procurement, and supply chain management.
• Assist WARO COs in applying the PSC system and QMS, understanding UK regulations for WDA (H) licence, GDP guidelines, and national regulations.
• Develop solutions for programme supply chain management at CO and field levels, providing expert advice to resolve supply chain issues.
• Create a  training plan and visit schedule to address Regional Director (RD) priorities and CO SC risk profiles.
• Work with the Controller PSC to develop tools for capacity building in supply chain management for WARO COs or programme partners.
• Provide robust support to WARO COs, frequently visiting countries to enhance performance, compliance, and capacity building.
• Collaborate with central teams to ensure COs’ supply chain needs comply with organisational procedures and programme demands.
• Offer technical advice to senior programme/regional and country leadership on complex supply chain issues.

Principal Outputs:

• Lead the capacity building implementation of focused WARO COs developing a workplan for review and approval by Controller PSC 
• Provide the key point of contact for WARO CO staff to assist with the application of the QMS, supplier qualification, SC planning, advice regarding audit and compliance, and leading on day-to-day support and periodic reviews.
• Provide general advice and the conduit for developing the wider PSC team understanding of CO challenges and requirements 
• Advise SCMs regarding country specific use of local suppliers, storage sites and/or transport routes, etc  
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders as required  

Job Requirements
Essential:

• Supply Chain or Logistics professional qualification.
• Experience in implementing/overseeing complex large-scale supply chains for NGO-funded programmes or equivalent.
• Culturally sensitive and empathetic, with a focus on achieving clear objectives.
• Demonstrable experience in similar supply chain management involving pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and stores in the international development sector.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with personnel at all levels, internally and with external contractors and suppliers.
• Experience of working directly with third-party contractors and supplier management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English with strong IT skills.
• Emotionally resilient, able to travel and operate alone, interpret Controller PSC’s intent, and develop plans with departments to achieve overarching aims and objectives.  

Desirable:

• Understanding of global supply chains, wholesale distribution of pharmaceuticals, and freight forwarders.
• Experience of the NGO and international development environment.
• Able to conduct training needs analysis, plan bespoke training packages, and implement delivery.
• Commitment to continuous personal improvement in performance.
• Experienced in fostering a culture of collaborative working, sharing knowledge, expertise, and skills across teams.
• Strong organisational skills, able to liaise with geographically dispersed groups, both internally and externally.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the work time as needed to support programme implementation.

Skills and Experience:

• The Regional Supply Chain Operations Manager will be skilled in developing solutions for programme supply chain management at both CO and field levels, providing expert advice to resolve supply chain issues.
• The RSCO will create risk-based training plans and visit schedules to address Regional Director priorities and CO supply chain risk profiles.
• Working effectively with the Controller PSC to develop tools for capacity building in supply chain management for WARO COs or programme partners.
• Additionally, providing robust support to WARO COs, frequently visiting countries to enhance performance, compliance, and capacity building.