Operations and Supply Chain Manager

Role Overview:

The Operations and Supply Chain Manager is responsible for overseeing the full scope of supply chain and operational activities within the organization. This includes procurement, logistics, inventory management, production planning, distributor management, sales forecasting, debt collection from customers, and work plan development. The role ensures operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and service excellence, aligning supply chain strategies with business objectives and market demand.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement supply chain strategies that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and support organizational goals.
• Lead demand and sales forecasting in collaboration with the sales and marketing teams to ensure accurate planning and inventory alignment.
• Prepare and manage operational work plans and execution schedules to support timely, coordinated delivery of business objectives.
• Manage end-to-end procurement processes, including sourcing, negotiations, and supplier relationship management.
• Oversee inventory planning and control, maintaining optimal stock levels while minimizing waste and ensuring service level targets are met.
• Coordinate logistics, warehousing, and distribution operations to ensure timely and accurate delivery of goods.
• Manage relationships with distributors to ensure effective market coverage, service consistency, and alignment with sales targets.
• Monitor distributor performance through KPIs and implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives as needed.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with finance, sales, production, and quality control teams to streamline operations and ensure business alignment.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with suppliers, distributors, and logistics providers, ensuring favorable terms and service reliability.
• Track and report on key operational and supply chain KPIs; use insights to drive performance and operational enhancements.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and company policies.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the operations and supply chain team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Utilize ERP systems and digital tools to support planning, execution, and data-driven decision-making.
• Oversee and manage debt collection from customers in coordination with the finance team, ensuring timely follow-up on outstanding accounts and supporting healthy cash flow.
• Implement and enforce credit policies, working closely with sales and finance to balance customer relationships and financial risk.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Operations, Business Administration, or a related field (master's preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain and operations management, including distributor oversight and sales forecasting.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proficient in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and supply chain planning tools.
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies is a plus.
• Experience in credit control or debt collection processes is an advantage.

Work Environment:

Primarily office-based with regular visits to warehouses, distributor locations, and supplier sites. Occasional travel may be required.