Reports to: Senior Director of Operations and Administration.

Liaises primarily with:

• Procurement and Warehousing team
• Director of Finance
• Program Directors for Health, Education, Agriculture, Community and Economic Development
• Clinical Director of the Kigutu Hospital Project
• Pharmacy Manager
• Logistics and Facilities Manager
• Internal Local and International procurement staff members

Location:   Kigutu, Burundi

Organization Background:

Village Health Works (VHW) is a 501(c)(3) corporation. It is a social justice organization founded on the belief that health equity is not a commodity but a right. Founded in partnership with the communities we currently serve, VHW’s mission is to provide the neediest high quality, compassionate health care and education based on critical thinking in a dignified environment. VHW’s holistic approach integrates clinical services with education, food security, economic development, environmental protection, music and the arts. In the context of where we currently work, this is the only way we can sustainably end extreme, multigenerational scarcity in a way that uplifts and engages communities with dignity and in their own context. We believe that the lack of access to quality healthcare and education is the biggest threat to development and world peace.

Currently VHW operates in a wide array of clinical and community programs in a catchment area of over 200,000 people within the provinces of Rumonge and Bururi, though its doors are open for every patient regardless of where that patient is coming from. Our first clinic attends over 51,000 outpatient consultations per year.  Since 2007 until summer 2023, our 60-bed inpatient wards have been providing basic adult and pediatric non-operative inpatient services including treatment of malnutrition, mental health, chronic and acute diseases and uncomplicated obstetrical deliveries. These services have been administered by our staff of generalist physicians under the supervision of our current Medical Director.

Village Health Works has embarked on a plan to expand our clinical services to provide comprehensive quality medical care and training. To achieve this goal, VHW has constructed and officially opened an 85,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art teaching hospital with several services that include surgery, obstetric deliveries, intensive care, pediatrics and neonatology, emergency, pathology lab, medical education and research center, etc.To provide excellent patient care and training we must expand the scope and skills of the healthcare providers through training, teaching and research, hiring through rigorous development and implementation of systems and structures, policies and procedures that are framed by high quality norms and international standards.

Additionally, VHW has established the Kigutu International Academy, a grade 9-12 boarding school to equip young minds with an education based on critical thinking to prepare them to become the leaders we wish their country and the continent to have for a better future.

Our core values are as follows:

• Every member of VHW’s team must value the dignity inherent in each individual, aspire to excellence in all we do, proceed with boldness and perseverance.
• Compassion and justice must be at the heart of our organization.
• To accomplish the mission of our organization we allmust be accountable to each other and to our community.

Position Overview

Village Health Works is recruiting a seasoned Supply Chain Manager to join the senior management team in leading the organization’s efforts to implement and run a comprehensive supply chain into and within Burundi. The Supply Chain Manager will be based in Kigutu, and will be responsible for envisioning, implementing, and continuously improving VHW’s supply chain activities. He/she will also ensure that inventory management and ordering processes are established and maintained, and will oversee the activity of all supply chain, procurement and inventory staff. The Supply Chain Manager will oversee the development and implementation of inventory practices, ordering processes and international as well as domestic logistics for supply chain. S/he will also be responsible for advocating on behalf of program needs to ensure that resources and staffing are available to meet the organizations goals. Individuals with international experience in supply chain, logistics, or systems implementation are encouraged to apply. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position will manage and oversee all Supply Chain activities for Village Health Works, from budget support and forecasting to international procurement, to warehouse stock management, reporting and distribution. They will be responsible for organizing and overseeing the management of all supplies necessary for the ongoing operations of our wide range of programs as well as all equipment and materials necessary for the construction and operation of the Kigutu Hospital.  They will manage the full lifecycle of this work ensuring high quality services and systems as well as ensuring that procurement  is quality compliant and sustaianable.

Specific Responsibilities: 

Strategy

• Create a global supply chain strategy that addresses VHW’s short-term and long-term needs along the entire product lifecycle, from procurement planning to distribution. Objectives should include increasing efficiency, reducing stock-outs, and standardizing elements of the supply chain.
• Design, test, and implement improved business processes and tools based upon ambitiously set key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Continue implementing VHW’s electronic inventory management system or LMIS. Provide leadership around change management and ensure uptake and integration of any system changes.

Implementation

• In collaboration with the Pharmacy Manager, revise and continuously improve the standard method for product forecasting and reordering. Establish reorder and procurement cycles and inventory review procedures.
• Review vendor relationships, existing contracts, and VHW procurement policies and those of VHW’s donors. Through management of key vendors, explore options for pooled procurement, long term agreements, vendor managed inventories, volume price reductions, and other cost-management strategies.
• Reassign, train or recruit staff necessary to complete the desired staffing structure. Working with site-based leadership, determine and document roles and responsibilities of both Bujumbura and Kigutu based supply chain and procurement teams.
• Develop and implement a strategic approach to demand planning, purchasing, logistics and distribution. Ensure that all elements of the supply chain are functioning properly; assess and adjust practices as needed to ensure quality control and sustainable purchasing practices.
• Identify areas for training and skill-building to strengthen supply chain operations. Develop or share methods and materials for site-based staff. Provide on-site training when necessary, and oversee any external consultants or volunteers engaged for training opportunities.
• Lead program managers on all things material’s planning – from quantification and budgeting to specification and installation/utilization.
• Support programs in uptake of improved business processes and tools.
• Collaborate with program managers on financial approvals, from budget implementation to special requests.

Management

• Establish key performance indicators to measure the supply chain improvements and overall performance. Communicate KPIs and ensure that team members are achieving desired results.
• Manage customs clearance, warehousing, and internal logistics and distribution processes.
• Manage daily activities of the entire supply chain team (transport, procurement, maintenance). Meet regularly with each direct report; help to prioritize activities, troubleshoot and respond to emergencies.
• Create development plans for staff; provide mentorship and identify relevant training opportunities for the SC team.

Qualifications:

• 5 years of relevant experience: logistics, procurement, warehousing/inventory management, and systems design and implementation in a developing country or post-conflict environment.
• 2-3 years of supervision and management experience required.
• Master’s Degree and/or Lean Six Sigma training preferred; ISO 9001:2008 background considered an asset.
• Electrical or mechanical engineering, IT/communications, or other technical background considered an asset.
• Strong analytical skills. Ability to synthesize and organize data and report on findings.
• Strong time management skills and high level of integrity.
• Ability to think strategically and plan for long-term initiatives. Able to implement change and demonstrate to others the value of improved processes.
• Good communication skills. Comfortable working with colleagues from different cultures and collaborating across departmental boundaries.
• Management skills. Comfortable managing remote employees.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills (in English and preferably French) and ability to professionally communicate in a multicultural environment.
• Preference for teamwork and a collaborative working environment.
• Commitment to social justice and mission-driven organizations.
• Able to function with a high level of independence, flexibility, and good humor.
• Ability to live and work full time at VHW’s main campus, in rural S. Burundi.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are encouraged to immediately submit a CV and a thoughtful cover letter outlining why this position is of interest, exactly how their experience matches the qualifications stated and what they believe differentiates them from other candidates.  Additionally, candidates are asked to provide the salary range requested.

Submissions should be in English and sent to: jobs@villagehealthworks.org .Please include “Supply Chain Manager” in the subject line of your email.

Deadline: 22 December 2024

Village Health Works considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status