Supply Chain Manager at the Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia (MRCG)

Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia - The MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of two research units established in sub- Saharan Africa by the Medical Research Council UK and is the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM’s single largest investment in medical research in a low and middle income country. MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM represents a unique concentration of scientific expertise and high quality research platforms in the West African region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Supply Chain Manager

Location: Fajara, Gambia
Accountability: The post holder will be accountable to the Head of Procurement and Logistics
Grade: 2, 32 Points

Purpose of the Job

• The Supply Chain Manager is responsible for implementation of the sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools.
• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies, standard operating procedures, e-procurement tools and best practices.
• The Supply Chain Manager will work closely with the Head of Procurement and Logistics, to define and deploy digital strategies across end-to-end supply chain and ensure adoption of digital solutions across team members.
• In addition, will be responsible for identifying continuous improvement opportunities and identifying effective business solutions working closely with category managers and key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities
Procurement:

• Contribute to the development of sourcing strategies.
• Implement the strategic procurement, including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, stakeholder relationship management, e-procurement introduction and promotion.
• Procure-to-Pay process optimization through digitization.
• Contribute to measurable improvements within procurement and supply chain management.
• Assist high value and complex procurement processes, for designated category managers (and others where applicable), in the development of solicitation documents; conduct evaluations and perform quality assurance for the procurement activities;
• Contribute to development of user guides, training curricula, pertinent documentation for internal and external partners, and all project related documentations, provision of training to specific groups of end users.
• Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with MRCG rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement management system.
• Research, troubleshoot and mitigate transactional and MSD system issues.
• Provide substantive inputs to the implementation of procurement policies and strategies on cost saving and reduction.
• Implement proper monitoring and control of procurement processes including organization of Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation to Bid (ITB) or Request for Proposal (RFP), receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of contracts in compliance with MRCG rules and regulation.
• Manage procurement contracts and implementation of the internal control system which ensures that Purchase orders are duly prepared and dispatched.
• Timely corrective actions on POs when necessary to ensure timely payment.
• Manage e-procurement module, development and management of the rosters of suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, quality and performance measurement mechanisms.

Logistics:

• Contributes to development of the logistics strategy and effective integration of logistics operation to support on-going air or sea operations in the unit.
• Identify optimal shipment and transportation routes with attention to consolidation at the warehouse to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of Orders to the unit.
• Ensure adequate logistics preparedness through contingency planning and continuous logistics preparedness reviews.
• Ensure a seamless process is in place for receipting, storage, and handover of received supplies to end-users.
• Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained.

General:

• Coordinate with authorities and relevant stakeholders in managing the procurement and logistics activities (e.g., customs clearances, freight forwarding, gaining authorizations, fuel duty waiver etc.)
• Ensure electronical record keeping, proper and accurate maintenance of databases of all procurement and logistics files in compliance with the guidelines for audit and reporting purposes
• Provide periodic guidance and training to non-procurement and logistics personnel on MRCG procurement and logistics policies and procedures.
• Document lessons learnt and best practices in procurement and logistics.
• Achieve KPI targets set by the Head of Procurement and Logistics.
• 6Performs other duties as assigned.

Relationships:

• The post holder will be a full-time member of the Unit.
• The post holder will report to the Head of Procurement and Logistics.
• The Chief Operating Officer is Dr. Davis Nwakanma.
• The Unit Director is Professor Umberto D’Alessandro.

Appraisals:

• Appraisals are held at least annually.

Length of appointment:

• The appointment will be for 3 years initially and subject to a probationary period of 6 months.

Person Specification
Essential:

• An Advanced Degree (Master's or equivalent) in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Commerce, Business Administration, Economics with a minimum of five years of relevant experience; OR
• A First-level University Degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field with minimum of ten years of relevant experience, two of which should be at a senior level with managerial responsibility.
• Substantial experience in Procurement, Supply Chain Management and Logistics.
• Good IT skills and the ability to extract/analyze data from procurement management systems
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a proven ability to create and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem- solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft office suite or related software.

Desirable:

• Experience in planning, coordinating, and executing all facets of the supply chain function would be an added advantage.
• Hands on experience in electronic tendering and contract management tools would be an added advantage.
• Additional qualification in Procurement and logistics i.e., CIPS certification would be an added advantage.

Remuneration

• The salary will be paid in Grade 2, 32 Points of MRCG at LSHTM’s payscale at a net monthly salary of 72,307 Dalasis. This converts to a take-home pay of $1,314 approximately per month using the prevailing Dalasi/USD exchange rate.
• Please note that the salary will be paid in Dalasi and the USD figure is only given as a guide.
• For displaced staff, the package will include rent-free furnished accommodation, flights, displacement allowance for spouse and children, contribution to school fees for children and shipment of personal effects.

Application Closing Date
15th March, 2023.