Supply Chain Manager

Job Description

Supply Chain Manager

Position Summary

The Supply Chain Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and optimizing the end-to-end supply chain operations of the company, including procurement, demand planning, inventory management, logistics, warehousing, importation, and supplier management. The role ensures continuous product availability while maintaining optimum inventory levels, minimizing expiry risks, controlling costs, and complying with healthcare regulatory requirements.

The Supply Chain Manager works closely with Sales, Finance, Regulatory Affairs, Technical Service, and suppliers to ensure efficient and timely delivery of medical devices, laboratory products, and healthcare solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Planning & Procurement

• Develop annual and quarterly procurement plans based on sales forecasts, inventory levels, and market demand.
• Ensure timely purchasing from approved international suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance, lead times, and order fulfillment.
• Negotiate delivery schedules and coordinate shipment priorities.
• Review purchase requisitions and approve purchase orders in accordance with company policies.

Inventory Management

• Maintain optimum inventory levels to ensure product availability while minimizing excess stock.
• Monitor inventory turnover, slow-moving items, and stock ageing.
• Implement and monitor FIFO/FEFO inventory practices.
• Develop action plans to minimize product expiry and inventory write-offs.
• Conduct regular inventory analysis and recommend replenishment strategies.

Logistics & Import Operations

• Coordinate international shipments from suppliers until final delivery.
• Manage freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers.
• Ensure import documentation complies with local regulatory requirements.
• Monitor shipment status and proactively resolve delays.

Regulatory Coordination & Governmental Approvals

• Coordinate with Regulatory Affairs and relevant departments to ensure all required licenses, permits, and approvals are obtained before importing and distributing products.
• Follow up with governmental authorities and relevant entities to ensure timely processing of import approvals and required documentation.
• Maintain updated records of product licenses, permits, certificates, and regulatory documents.
• Coordinate with suppliers to collect required technical and regulatory documents for registration, importation, and customs clearance.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and company procedures related to the importation, storage, and distribution of medical products.
• Identify and escalate potential regulatory or approval delays that may impact supply continuity.

Warehouse Management

• Ensure proper storage conditions for all products, including temperature-sensitive medical products.
• Supervise inventory accuracy through regular cycle counts and annual physical stock counts.
• Ensure warehouse operations comply with quality and safety standards.

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with international manufacturers and suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs including delivery performance, quality, and responsiveness.
• Participate in supplier evaluations and business reviews.

Demand Planning

• Collaborate with Sales and Product Management to prepare accurate demand forecasts.
• Review forecast accuracy and adjust procurement plans accordingly.
• Support new product launches with appropriate inventory planning.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Finance to optimize cash flow and purchasing schedules.
• Coordinate with Regulatory Affairs to ensure product registrations and import approvals are maintained.
• Support Technical Service with spare parts availability.
• Coordinate with Sales regarding urgent customer requirements and special projects.

Process Improvement

• Develop and continuously improve supply chain SOPs.
• Identify opportunities to reduce operational costs while improving service levels.
• Implement KPIs and dashboards to monitor supply chain performance.
• Lead initiatives to improve inventory accuracy, planning efficiency, and operational excellence.

Reporting

• Prepare monthly supply chain performance reports.
• Present inventory analysis, procurement status, supplier performance, and logistics KPIs to management.
• Report inventory risks, shortages, overstock, and expiry exposure with corrective action plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Pharmacy, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• Master's degree is an advantage.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in supply chain management, preferably within the medical devices, pharmaceutical, or healthcare industry.
• Strong knowledge of procurement, inventory management, forecasting, logistics, and international shipping.
• Experience dealing with international suppliers and import regulations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP systems.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership and people management abilities.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Arabic; French is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Planning
• Demand Forecasting
• Inventory Optimization
• Procurement Management
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Logistics & Import Management
• Risk Management
• Analytical Thinking
• Leadership & Team Management
• Process Improvement
• Cost Control
• Decision Making
• Communication & Collaboration

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Product availability (%)
• Stock-out rate
• Inventory turnover
• Inventory accuracy
• Forecast accuracy
• Supplier on-time delivery (%)
• Purchase order lead time
• Import clearance lead time
• Expiry and write-off value
• Slow-moving inventory value
• Warehouse audit compliance
• Procurement cost savings
• Customer order fulfillment rate
• On-time delivery to customers
• Supply chain operating cost

Authority

The Supply Chain Manager is authorized to:

• Approve procurement activities within delegated authority limits.
• Coordinate directly with international suppliers and logistics partners.
• Recommend inventory optimization initiatives.
• Develop and enforce supply chain procedures and controls.
• Escalate supply chain risks that may affect business continuity.

Working Relationships

Internal: Sales, Finance, Regulatory Affairs, Technical Service, Warehouse, Customer Service, and Senior Management.

External: Manufacturers, suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, logistics providers, regulatory authorities, and external auditors.