Global Director Materials Management

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a world-renowned progressive organization that is committed to excellence in education, research, and community service. Occupying a central place in the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in nursing, medicine, and education development and carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it serves and the developing world at internationally accepted academic standards.

 

Reporting to the Vice President Finance & Chief Financial Officer, the Global Director will undertake centralized strategic planning, execution and coordination to integrate the supply chain systems and emerging initiatives in South and Central Asia & East Africa in response to changes in business processes, technology and priorities. This will include identifying cost effective methods by evaluating regional business trends, resource availability, formulating strategies and customer requirements to optimize the supply chain functions and continuously improvement in operations and standards as per University’s guidelines. The position also establishes effective working relationships with all constituencies, including patients, physicians, employees, volunteers and vendors; strategic vendor relationships; development of the team in all countries.

 

The position will be based in Pakistan.

 

Responsibilities

Specifically, you will be responsible to:

• Provide strategic planning support to University management for all supply chain activities that helps in smooth running of overall operations.
• Provide direction and oversee all global systems for planning, implementation and monitoring.
• Plan, coordinate and direct activities of a coordinated supply support system involved in the evaluation, acquisition, receiving, storage and accounting of medical, surgical and other supplies and equipment. 
• Provide leadership and support - led efforts regarding supply chain transformation. Most notably, the development and implementation of a shared service/team buying organizational structure.
• Identify cost effective systems needed to support the business taking into account market trends, resource availability and changes in customers’ needs.
• Develop and implement integrated methods and system for improving operational efficiency and controlling inventories.
• Organize the global office structure and processes to effectively achieve organizational and stakeholder engagement objectives.
• Lead Group Purchasing Program of Healthcare institutions of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Pakistan, Tanzania, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. 
• Plan and organize University wide business continuity, disaster recovery and crisis management plans.
• Prepare and monitor University wide pisional operating and capital budgets; short, medium and long-term plans.
• Develop strategies for standardizing products and services across the campuses.
• Ensure compliance of quality management system of materials management pision, local and international quality standards.
• Provide leadership and support for the enterprise-wide innovation efforts relating to supplier engagement.
• Travel domestically and internationally, as needed, to current and prospective suppliers to provide product and process familiarization, resolution of issues, product development assistance, general business updates and product cost negotiations.
• Prepare pisional budget, manage and monitor financial and human resources accordingly.
• Responsible for the recruitment, retention and development of all staff members. Imparts and commits to ongoing training and development of staff to enhance their technical capacity within the department through various trainings and on-the-job teachings.
• Serve as a role model; provide leadership and problem solving support to peers, direct reports and to customers in a manner that facilitates the building of strong relationships.

 

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration from a recognized University or equivalent, preferably in Supply Chain Management.
• Minimum 10 – 12 years of progressively management and leadership experience in materials management and/or related department in large, multi-size organizations preferably in health related institutions.
• Experience of project management, process improvement and budget management is essential.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills with the ability to describe complex ideas in clear and meaningful forms and to present data and information to various audiences.
• Good experience of working with in a customer focused environment along with exceptional administration skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally within the company, as well as globally with suppliers. 
• Sophisticated negotiation skills and RFP management. Strong knowledge of related industry operating costs, procurement methods, and pricing practices. 
• Strong knowledge of governmental action in areas affecting the commodities industry, supply and demand fundamentals, and currency valuation dynamics.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills with the ability to describe complex ideas in clear and meaningful forms and to present data and information to various audiences.
• Excellent organizational and influencing skills.
• Proactive thinking and continuously strives for innovative ideas or solutions that have worked in other environments and applies them to the organization. 
• Demonstrated ability to educate others regarding the commodity industries through informative meetings and presentations.
• End-to-end understanding of the supply chain.
• Strong multi-tasking abilities in an extremely fast-paced environment with an ability to innovate and create strategies that significantly improve supply chain efficiencies. 
• Experience in developing sourcing strategies and cultivating supplier relationships
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams inpidually and collectively.
• Excellent business acumen and analytical skills along with in-depth knowledge of ERP.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and to work under pressure with patience and poise.