Executive Head of Department – Supply Chain Enablement & Warehouse Management (Internal/ External)

Executive Head of Department – Supply Chain Enablement & Warehouse Management (Internal/ External)

The Executive Head of Department for Supply Chain Enablement & Warehouse Management will lead and govern strategic supply chain initiatives, optimizing processes, and driving digital transformation and customer service excellence.

Responsibilities

Role purpose: 

To strategically govern and optimize end-to-end supply chain processes, systems, and planning, drive risk-managed, cost-efficient operations, supplier excellence, digital transformation, and superior customer service across warehousing and distribution in line with organizational policy.

Key Accountabilities and Decision Ownership:

1. Policy, Process, Digital & Systems Implementation

• Drive policies documentation across all SCM departments.
• Supply Chain Process Management: Develop, document, and maintain comprehensive supply chain process maps and procedures. Ensure continuous improvement and adherence to best practices across the supply chain.
• Systems & Digital Transformation: Oversee the implementation and integration of supply chain systems (e.g., ERP, WMS) and digital initiatives to streamline operations and improve data visibility and decision-making.
• Coordinate implementation of supply chain systems including ERP and others.
• Build robust analytics across all supply chain processes to create transparency and visibility for Executive Decisioning and User Empowerment. 
• Identify gaps in supply chain tools and drive improvements.
• Establish and maintain measurable performance metrics for all supply chain processes

1. SCM Operation and Capability Improvement 
    

• Drive effective business support on purchase ordering, contract management and supplier qualification/governance through the order desk and Operations Team.
• Lead and develop a high-performing supply chain and logistics team, while strategically managing the end-to-end supplier lifecycle—from selection and onboarding to performance development and relationship optimization.
•  Drive supplier capability programs to strengthen partnerships, mitigate risks, enhance operational excellence, and deliver sustainable business

1. Warehouse & Distribution Strategy 

• Develop Warehouse & distribution strategies that deliver optimal inventory value and return on Inventory investment.
• Execute & Coordinate warehouse activities that deliver best value for money.
• Develop and implement cost optimization measures in liaison with budget holders and suppliers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional business units to understand the business requirements, share information, update information & resolve challenges by making joint effort.
   

1. Supply Chain Sustainability and Risk Management

• Develop and drive supplier diversity programs for effective transfer of technology and capacity in line with the Company’s social contract targets and License Commitments.
• Formulate and drive programs for sustainable impact including energy and waste management from a supply chain perspective
• Maintain the Operational Risk Management framework and promote drive adherence ESG goals 

1. Staff Management

Lead, develop and motivate staff to ensure that set objectives are met, and that staff meet their career objectives 

Core Competencies, knowledge and Risk Management 

BUSINESS COMPETENCIES

Working with Others

• Consciously takes steps to make the most of every conversation/interaction 
• Identifies people’s needs, interests and motives to be able to influence the decisions they make 
• Communicates simply to excite and engage people 
• Pro-actively adapts own style and approach to build rapport, and work with others more effectively 
• Builds and maintains strong relationships and networks

Operational Excellence

• Targets effort and resources on high-value, high impact activity   
• Focuses on achieving maximum performance and driving continuous improvement 
• Thinks about processes and problems cross-functionally and end-to-end 
• Uses knowledge of products, technology, process, systems and policy to solve problems
• Is knowledgeable in translation Business needs into performance standards through KPIs/SLAs.

Creativity and Innovation

• Finds creative ways to exploit opportunities and solve problems 
• Takes risks and pushes what is possible 
• Experiments with unorthodox approaches

Business Know how

• Uses data and research to make decisions that are competitively and financially robust 
• Balances current and future needs 
• Thinks and acts like an owner of the business 
• Acts in line with legal, regulatory, professional and ethical standards

Working with Change

• Responds flexibly to changing situations 
• Manages the business and people aspects of change to drive performance
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage data, analytics, and business insights to drive strategic decisions that are both financially and competitively sound.

Project and Program Management

• Defines scope and deliverables in terms of time, cost, quality and business benefit 
• Schedules activity and identifies resource needs, dependencies and synergies   
• Evaluates progress, mitigates risks and addresses issues

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCES

Systems and Process Transformation

• Challenges existing systems and processes by using tangible reference points to propose / implement efficiency opportunities to drive simplicity, speed and improved user experience.

Project and Programe Management

• Use the right frameworks and approaches to manage projects and relationships in order to drive excellence and control costs, in either small scale or complex enterprise-wide initiatives.

Inventory Management: 

• Expertise in inventory control, forecasting, demand planning, and managing stock levels to ensure optimal availability while minimizing excess inventory.

Governance Management

• Own and manage end-to-end the functional governance framework of key SCM deliverables to ensure objectives and initiatives are effectively monitored with the right levels of management visibly.

Process and Performance Analytics

• Able to deconstruct and analyze processes, producing effective outcomes via the creation of and use of visual representation of captured data. Able to communicate and present insights and efficiently using statistics and/or graphical representation. 
• Makes recommendations and enable decisions that can be directly linked to SCM and the wider business objectives.
• Health, Safety & Sustainability

Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations in warehousing and distribution operations. Proactively pursue sustainability initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of warehouse and distraction activities.

Key performance indicator areas:

• Policy coverage and compliance %
• Systems /automation coverage %
• Supply Ordering and Delivery Efficiency %
• Effective Governance in SCM
• Supplier Relationship Management (Coverage %)
• Sourcing cycle time -Days.
• Operational Risk Identification and Reporting %

Qualifications

• Degree in Technology, Engineering, supply chain Management Business or similar qualification
• A Graduate Diploma Qualification in Supply Chain Management is an added advantage
• At least 7-9 years’ experience in Supply Chain, Finance, Audit or similar function with responsibility for process continuous improvement, in an environment leveraging ERP and other digital capabilities for supply chain-related functions and processes
       About Us
  At Safaricom Ethiopia, we are a purpose-led technology company dedicated to transforming lives through digital connectivity and inclusive financial services. In under four years, we have grown to serve over 10 million customers, with our network now reaching 55% of Ethiopia’s population – a testament to our bold vision and trusted partnerships.
  Guided by core values such as customer obsession, innovation, integrity, and get it done together, we are building a workplace that is dynamic, inclusive, and empowering. We believe our greatest strength lies in our people. That’s why, for two consecutive years, we have proudly get earned the Top Employer Award – in recognition for our unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and inclusive environment to people.
  Join Safaricom Ethiopia and be part of a team that is shaping the digital future of Ethiopia. Here, your work has meaning, your voice matters, and your growth is our priority. Together, we are transforming lives for a digital future                                       

How to Apply

If you feel that you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualification and experience, kindly proceed to create/ update your candidate profile on the recruitment portal and then Click on the apply button. Remember to attach your resume