Supply Chain & Operations Director

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established in 1979, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries worldwide, focusing on disaster response, humanitarian aid, and sustainable development. The organization partners with communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities from within. In Liberia, Mercy Corps has been active since 2002, initially addressing the humanitarian impacts of civil conflicts and evolving its programs to meet the changing needs of Liberian communities. The organization has a diverse portfolio of programs aimed at security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, agricultural livelihoods, nutrition, financial inclusion, youth economic empowerment, renewable energy, water and sanitation, and community resilience, supporting sustainable development and improved opportunities across the country.

Job Overview:
The Supply Chain & Operations Director is a senior leadership role responsible for providing overall executive leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for all operations functions, including supply chain, procurement, logistics, warehousing, and inventory management operations. This position is crucial for driving end-to-end strategy across USDA-donated commodities and Local and Regional Procurement (LRP) food items, ensuring compliance with US government donor regulations and safeguarding commodity integrity from source to final distribution. The Director will operate at a strategic level, setting up policies, building systems, managing risks, and representing the program to external stakeholders. The role requires establishing effective supply-chain systems, controls, procedures, and standards in accordance with donor requirements and organizational policies, ensuring that operational teams have the frameworks, tools, and capacity to deliver effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Supply Chain & Operations Director will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Strategy and Planning: Collaborate with the regional senior leadership team to develop and support the regional strategy, mobilizing support services and risk management resources. Lead the development and administration of regional and country-level reports on key finance, operations, and human resources indicators. Manage regional core budgets in coordination with leadership.
• Operational Oversight: Ensure integration of program support systems across all Mercy Corps Liberia offices, ensuring capacity to support smooth program operations. Oversee facility management, including housing and office leases, and ensure compliance with security standards.
• Warehouse, Transport, and Commodity Pipeline Management: Lead the formulation and submission of the official US Call Forward schedule, ensuring alignment with program delivery targets. Oversee the end-to-end management of food commodities, ensuring compliance with international warehousing standards.
• Strategic LRP and Stakeholder Engagement: Direct the strategic framework for Local and Regional Procurement, ensuring compliance with US LRP guidelines. Build and manage relationships with suppliers and represent the program in donor reviews and technical working groups.
• Loss Mitigation and Quality Control: Oversee compliance with US regulations and architect robust commodity loss mitigation frameworks. Ensure audit readiness and maintain complete documentation for audits.
• Leadership and Capacity Building: Provide leadership and mentorship to senior supply chain staff, designing capacity development programs for staff and local partners.
• Reporting: Ensure accurate and timely reporting on commodity receipts, inventory movements, and other supply-chain performance indicators.
• Risk Management: Engage with country teams to ensure adequate risk management systems are in place and support preparedness for major disruptive events.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, or a relevant field. A minimum of 7 years of experience in administration, procurement, logistics, supply chain, and commodity management is required, preferably with food commodities. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of complex operations in challenging environments, attention to detail, and the ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines. Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures, particularly procurement systems, is desirable, along with familiarity with Food for Education / USDA and other donor regulations. Excellent negotiation, representation, and communication skills are essential, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Candidates must have excellent oral and written English skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, or any other relevant field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of supply chain management and procurement processes, particularly in the context of international development and humanitarian assistance.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 7 years of experience in setting up and managing administration, procurement, logistics, supply chain, and commodity management systems, with a preference for experience in food commodities. This experience should include working with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and supporting complex operations in challenging environments. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of managing supply chain operations effectively and efficiently, with a focus on compliance and risk management.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent oral and written communication skills required. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory for this position.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Monrovia, Liberia, and requires up to 40% travel to support country programs at county levels. The living conditions in Monrovia are described as secure, with individual accommodations and access to services such as medical care, electricity, and water. The role is expected to adhere to the values and policies of Mercy Corps, including safeguarding and ethical conduct. The organization is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering a culture of trust and respect among team members.