Head of Operations

Job Title: Head of Operations

Department: Operations

Reporting line: Country Director

Location: Benin

About ENGIE Energy Access

ENGIE Energy Access is a leading Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) and mini-grids solutions provider in Africa, with a mission to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions and life- changing services with exceptional customer experience. The company is a result of the integration of Fenix International, ENGIE Mobisol and ENGIE PowerCorner; and develops innovative, off-grid solar solutions for homes, public services, and businesses, enabling customers and distribution partners access to clean, affordable energy. The PAYGo solar home systems are financed through affordable installments from $0.14 per day and the mini grids foster economic development by enabling electrical productive use and triggering business opportunities for entrepreneurs in rural communities.

With over 1,700 employees, operations in nine countries across Africa (Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia), over 1 million customers and more than 5 million lives impacted so far, ENGIE Energy Access aims to remain a leading clean energy company, serving millions of customers across Africa by 2025.

Job Purpose/Mission

The Head of Operations will report to the Benin Country Director, will sit on the Benin Management team, and be based in Cotonou, Benin. The position will oversee all Benin operations and work directly with Benin and Global sales, customer service and engineering teams on the ground to design, test, execute, analyze, and refine innovative operations systems and processes.

Candidates must have a passion for entrepreneurship, renewable energy, and sustainable development in Frontier Markets. The role will be working on critical projects with real and immediate impact and will have the opportunity to travel domestically and internationally to understand our customer base and attend training and workshops.

Responsibilities

S&OP Ordering Process Custodianship

· Ensure implementation of the company’s Inventory Planning & Ordering Policies

· Order stock monthly as needed, based on sales forecast, product failure rates, inventory on hand, and pipeline (on-order and in-transit) inventory.

· Planning & coordination of outgoing/incoming shipments including containers from China, and other incoming shipment (air freights, couriers) from other parts of the world to ensure timely and full compliance to laws and regulations per shipment imported / exported.

· Oversee, align, forecast, and improve workshop activities and facilities. Implement departmental and organizational policies and procedures to maximize Technical output

· Forecast technical equipment and capacity requirements and include in annual budgeting process for deliverables.

International Logistics and Customs Clearance

• Ensure on-time delivery of products from supplier (upstream supply chain team based in China) to Benin.
• Coordinate with all external partners and parties to clear and import products.

Inventory Management

· Ensure full implementation of the company's inventory management policy and guidelines.

· Provide visibility on stock position, aging pyramid, and management of slow moving and obsolete items (SLOBS) vs. Active Inventory items.

· Oversee monthly stock count and reconciliation of inventory with the Finance department.

· Accountable for maintaining inventory shrinkage within company target.

· Prepare and review long-term stock forecasts together with S&OP Manager to ensure constant availability of all stock items in the country.

· Manages Operational costs against budget by implementing cost efficient warehousing strategies, defining distribution routes, maximizing capacity by optimizing and combining transports, and defining take-back / reverse logistics structures

· Approves and monitors stock shifting (reshuffles or National Deliveries) between Zonal Warehouses within the country in case of stock shortages and/or ad-hoc sales promotions, with attention to related costs

· Implements centrally defined tools, processes, and procedures to monitor and enforce protection of company's stock items by ensuring preservation procedures are trained and implemented on the ground:

• Regular physical stock checks are conducted in all stock holding points in the country
• Warehouse & storage guidelines
•  Always engage activities to maintain stock discrepancies below 0.5% of total stock value (every month)
• Disciplinary action for missing stock items is taken accordingly - HR involvement
• Weekly, monthly stock validations as well as reporting for valuation cycles

Distribution & Logistics Management

· Devise strategy for in-country distribution to all service center and stock points

· Implement policies covering transportation, handling, storage, delivery and regularly measure performance.

· Accountable for availability of inventory in all stock points and service centers across the country.

Leadership

· You are part of a highly effective and top performing leadership team!

· Be a role model and leader in the organization by living our values and through active participation and collaboration with other management team members to meet Benin’s and Access to Energy’s goals.

· Be an active strategic thought partner on the management team with joint ownership in development and achievement of Uganda goals.

· Pro-active cross-departmental communication of challenges as they arise and proactive development of solutions to these challenges.

· Work effectively with other department heads to ensure all goals are met, specifically Product team and Commercial team, such as successful product launches or opening of new points of sale.

Team and Culture

· Manage and lead production, logistics, inventory management, quality assurance, and refurbishment teams of over 30 team members and build the team for scale and efficiency.

· Create a culture of teamwork with a focus on quality, honesty, and integrity and hold the team accountable to those standards.

· Ensure the team is fully supported, engaged and has the training & tools needed to be successful in their role.

· Suggest and implement changes in working conditions and use of equipment to increase safety and efficiency of department.

· Design and conduct operations team trainings and coordinate trainings with customer experience and commercial teams for full team focus on inventory management, minimizing shrinkage, health & safety, etc.

· Work with Talent and Admin teams to support in recruitment and admin related functions around recruitment and wider initiatives around team engagement and learning & development.

Quality, HSE, Waste Management

· Implement end-to-end product quality management in the value chain, including waste management.

· Oversee the full adherence to ENGIE Health Safety and Environment policies in Benin and measurement of related key performance indicators.

Tech-Ops, warranty claims, and process improvement

· Operationalize product failure diagnosis and warranty claims management policies and processes.

· Oversee production team and facilities to ensure high quality product outputs of sellable inventory and timely stock preparation and delivery.

· Oversee tech team and facilities to ensure high quality product repair and refurbishment for customer service in the field.

· Monitor and evaluate internal operation processes - collect feedback from stakeholders to continually evolve and improve.

· Manage end of product life activities such as collection of broken items (reverse logistics), setting up partnerships for recycling, and product re-use to demand fulfillment for maintenance and after sales services to optimize costs of warranty.

· Devise strategies together with Technical Operations to reduce inventory backlog of untested items (items waiting for testing), increase value of items tested and repossessions processed, and increasing general technical productivity.

· Design measurements and tools to monitor technical productivity on a weekly, monthly and ad-hoc basis as required.

· Determine and order spare parts for component level repairs and refurbishment on time to ensure work continuity and productivity.

At EEA, we have high expectations for our managers. Each manager plays a key role in creating an exceptional experience not only for our customers but for every person on our team. Our managers help EEA realize our ambitious goals while developing their own leadership skills and facilitating growth for their direct reports.

We believe that great managers:

• Deliver ambitious results: As a high-performing and accountable leader, you create an enabling environment for effective action and bold decision which contribute to successful delivery of results.
• Act with integrity: As an ethical leader you are honest, respectful, objective, and transparent. You create and build upon a foundation of trust and openness.
• Inspire and mentor the team: As an inspirational leader you walk the talk. You empower and coach your team with trust and humility.
• Are accessible: as an accessible leader, you develop and maintain deep connections with stakeholders through approachability and active listening.
• Ensure diversity and inclusion: as an inclusive leader, you ensure diversity and foster a sense of belonging.

Accountabilities

- Sales Target.

- Team Performance.

- Accountable for adherence of company’s policies and procedures.

- Accountable for adherence to the company’s budget.

- Accountable to check before approving all financial requests.

Knowledge and skills

Experience:

• 5+yrs experience in managing teams, ideally as a department manager/ Logistics Manager/Supply chain Manager/ Distribution Manager
• 2+ years’ experience in on-the-ground supply chain activities such as executing distribution, technical, inventory management etc.
• Knowledge of working tools as databases for inventory and logistics management (DBMS), ERP system like Dynamics Microsoft Navision (NAV), MRP I and II, SAP, EDI, VM; I, O365 (Excel, Access, Word, PPT, Mail) and others are highly considered.
• Comprehensive knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to the importation and exportation of Solar Products within East Africa; EA import laws (EAC-CMA), Import Duty Tax regime (TRA), Bureau of Standards (TBS), Ports Authorities (KPA, TPA), and CFS / ICDs within in EA region.
• Knowledge of forecasting, demand management, cycle times, and highly skilful in planning of on-ground logistical activities for high efficiency.
• Working proficiency / Fluency in English is a must.
• Mature profile combining sales orientation, number orientation, product orientation, technical orientation and process orientation.
• Strong communication, presentation skills, negotiation, very good organisational and interpersonal skills, dynamic self-starter and team player

Qualifications:

- A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Industrial Management, Production and Operations Management or related fields from a recognized University. A Master’s Degree is an added advantage.

Language(s):

Good verbal and written communication in both:

- French

- English

Technology:

- Experience in using Microsoft applications, computer, and smartphone literate.

ENGIE is an equal opportunity employer, promoting diversity and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. All applications are screened based on business needs, job

requirements and individual qualifications, without any regard to origin, age, name, sexual identity, orientation or preference, religion, marital status, health, disability, political opinions, union involvement or citizenship. Our differences are our strengths!