Regional Supply Chain Director

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

This role can be based in any location where IRC has an office.

A strong supply chain is key to the success and delivery of quality programs. At IRC, supply chain includes procurement, logistics, inventory management, asset management, and vehicle and fleet management. The Regional Supply Chain Director (RSCD) stewards the global and regional supply chain strategies of IRC to ensure efficient and effective delivery of aid across the region. They are responsible for enabling Country Programs to achieve a high standard of supply chain excellence using systems and data, policies and guidance, learning materials and other tools, as well as strong relationship management.  The RSCD manages the Regional Supply Chain Coordinator (RSCC) and Regional Systems Advisor (RSA). They hold management-in-partnership (MIP) responsibilities with Country Program Supply Chain Leadership.  They report to the Senior Director for Supply Chain Operations within the Global Supply Chain (GSC) Department with an MIP line to the Regional Vice President.  

Major Responsibilities: 

Leadership and Management

•    Support the full implementation of GSC strategy, annual work plans and other Global and CRRD initiatives.  Draw the links between global, regional and country strategies and priorities. Advocate for realistic budgeting for implementation of global activities to Country Programs. 

•    Actively participate in regional partnership with internal and external organizations or institutions relevant to IRCs GSC, CRRD and global strategy and initiatives.  

•    Work with Country Program Supply Chain teams in developing/improving links between their department and programs. 

•    Strategically assess and optimize Country Programs' supply chain structures and suggest staffing models to ensure they are fit for purpose: agile, cost-effective, and aligned with program delivery goals, enhancing operational support and maximizing resource efficiency across regions.

•    Through MIP, coordinate with Country Program Senior Management Teams (SMTs) as appropriate to recruit, on-board, set priorities, manage and evaluate each Country Program supply chain leads. 

•    Ensure that the RSCC and RSAs are managed with clear objectives, with a professional development plan, and lead their deployment schedule in collaboration with country SMTs as appropriate.

•    With the support of other GSC units, promote a culture of cross-CP learning where there is the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties.

•    Engage with the other units of the GSC Department on CP operational realities to ensure the overall IRC supply chain strategy is sound supply chain lifecycles are efficient.

•    Provide input and feedback on supply chain aspects of proposal development and review at the regional level in accordance AMU policy and guidance.

SC Operations  

•    Identify regional and country supply chain strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) through market analysis, operational assessments of supply chain functions and systems, and review of Country Programs' execution of strategic action plans (SAPs).  

•    Support regional and country senior management teams in developing mitigation plans to address controls and efficiency weaknesses.

•    Guide CPs on maintaining sound market intelligence systems, conducting annual market assessments, and network strategically with key organizations and other stakeholders to identify new potential suppliers.  Oversee the identification and implementation of regional and country cost-saving strategies across the procurement function and direct the execution of cost-reduction initiatives to optimize expenditure.

•    Lead and guide Country Programs in crafting and executing procurement and sourcing plans that align with applicable policies and procedures. Take the lead role in coordinating regional procurements where required.

•    Ensure the smooth execution of supply chain monthly, quarterly, year-end, and grant end closing activities. Follow up on corrective action plans as required.

•    Support Regional Emergency Director and GSC emergency response to develop and implement robust disaster preparedness and response plans, identify and hire key resources, and manage procurement, warehousing and inventory management.

Risk and Compliance. 

•    Ensure the robust supply chain risk management methodology set by global Risk and Compliance is fully implemented at CPs and regional level as necessary. 

•    Work with regional leadership and other GSC units to offer applicable solutions to CPs' supply chain audit findings.  With the help of GSC Risk and Compliance (R&C) unit and other stakeholders.

•    Contribute to the development of standard policies, processes, guidance, and tools for supply chain.  

•    In collaboration with IRC Legal and the GSC Risk & Compliance (R&C) team, ensure that contracting practices within a country are as effective and risk is appropriately managed. 

•    Verify that country office specific donor and government policies for supply chain are disseminated, followed, documented, and required monitoring processes are effective.

•    Support Country Programs in adopting and operationalizing Global Supply Chain and organizational policies, standard procedures and guidelines. 

•    Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to identify and mitigate compliance challenges, fostering a culture of accountability and policy alignment that strengthens operational integrity for CRRD.  

Systems and Data

•    In MIP with the GSC Systems and Data Director, oversee the RSA to ensure the region's appropriate preparation, implementation, stabilization, and optimization of the supply chain systems technologies.

•    Collaborate closely with the Systems and Data team, including Systems Advisors, to empower Country Programs (CPs) in leveraging Power BI insights for strategic decision-making. 

•    Enable CPs to assess the overall health of their supply chain, proactively address potential risks, and highlight operational successes, fostering a data-driven culture that supports continuous improvement and acknowledges high performance.

•    Review the GSC operations risk matrix, identify improvement opportunities, further implement & monitor performance metrics to achieve sustainable progress.

•    Through various organizational data analyses foster a culture of innovation & continuous improvement and propose SC drivers and cross functional projects to the wider GSC team for consideration, development and implementation.   

•    Review inventory levels to ensure optimal stock levels while minimizing carrying costs.

Job Requirements: 

•    Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. supply chain, business administration, etc.) or additional years of experience required.

•    At least 10 years' work experience, ideally with an international organization, with progressive responsibility in supply chain/logistics/procurement management within the context of international and local supply chain. Experience in emergency supply chain management is a plus.  

•    At least 5 years of management experience. 

•    Knowledge of or experience in managing a pharmaceutical (including cold chain) supply chain network preferred.

•    Knowledge of or experience in supporting cash programming.

•    Experience leading teams remotely.

•    Any internationally recognized supply chain certification (e.g. HLCP)

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: 

•    Effectively manages ambiguity

•    Must have validated project management skills and experience, excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to analyze and resolve complex issues, and team building experience

•    Requires a demonstrated record of initiative, problem solving, and change management

•    C-Level presentation skills, negotiation and relationship skills

•    Strong collaborator and influencer with effective interpersonal and analytical skills who can work seamlessly across countries, cultures, and organizational units

•    Able to work effectively in a highly matrixed structure

•    Excellent training and mentoring ability

•    Ability to travel as needed to support country requirements

•    English language required; Arabic preferred.

Working Environment: 
Remote working accepted.  Otherwise, there is a standard office work environment. Travel up to 30%

Key Working Relationships
Internal: Deputy Directors of Operations, Supply Chain Coordinators, Global Supply Chain Department, Regional Vice President, Regional Finance and IT leads, Country Directors, Deputy Directors of Programming, Finance Managers, Regional Business Development Team, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ departments, such as.: IT, Finance, Healt Unit, Safety and Security, AMU, CRRD-PD and TechEx, Research and Innovation, and Internal Audit.

External: Donor representatives, partners, external/internal auditors, professional networks, vendors, consultants. 
 

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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