Associate Manager, Operations
Permanent - Full TimeJob Overview
Job Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
About The Role:
The Associate Manager, Operations will help establish and execute Sun King's Ethiopia Operations function, ensuring reliable, compliant and cost-effective flow of products from importation through customs clearance, warehousing, inventory management, fulfilment and distribution. The role will work closely with the Manager, Operations and cross-functional teams to establish scalable operational processes, manage external logistics partners, maintain inventory integrity and deliver defined service levels.
As part of the initial Ethiopia operations set-up, the role will contribute to establishing the country's operating model, SOPs, controls, systems and performance management framework.
About The Role:
The Associate Manager, Operations will help establish and execute Sun King's Ethiopia Operations function, ensuring reliable, compliant and cost-effective flow of products from importation through customs clearance, warehousing, inventory management, fulfilment and distribution. The role will work closely with the Manager, Operations and cross-functional teams to establish scalable operational processes, manage external logistics partners, maintain inventory integrity and deliver defined service levels.
As part of the initial Ethiopia operations set-up, the role will contribute to establishing the country's operating model, SOPs, controls, systems and performance management framework.
What you will be expected to do:
Operations Management & Process Excellence
- Contribute to the design, implementation and continuous improvement of the end-to-end Ethiopia Operations model covering planning & forecasting, imports, customs, warehousing, inventory, fulfilment, distribution and reverse logistics.
- Develop and maintain operational SOPs, process flows, controls, trackers and management reports in line with Sun King standards.
- Monitor operational KPIs, identify gaps and implement sustainable solutions to improve service, efficiency and cost.
- Ensure accurate and timely ERP/CRM transactions and operational data.
- Facilitate cross-functional coordination across Commercial, Finance, Procurement, Customer Experience and Operations.
Import, Customs & Regulatory Compliance
- Coordinate import planning, shipment readiness and documentation with Commercial, Finance, suppliers and logistics partners.
- Manage day-to-day coordination with clearing agents and freight partners to facilitate timely customs clearance and cargo release.
- Maintain accurate HS Code/classification records and coordinate assessment of duties, taxes, permits, certifications and other regulatory requirements.
- Monitor clearance timelines, storage/demurrage exposure and shipment exceptions, ensuring documentation is complete and audit-ready.
- Participate in sourcing and onboarding of clearing agents, freight forwarders and other import-related service providers.
Warehouse & Inventory Management
- Contribute to warehouse establishment and readiness, including layouts, processes, controls and operating standards.
- Monitor inventory across warehouses, retail points and field locations, ensuring availability, accuracy and traceability.
- Oversee stock movements, inventory in transit, aging, stock-outs, slow-moving/dead stock and inventory reconciliation.
- Establish and monitor cycle counts, stock takes and inventory controls, including serial-number traceability and ERP/CRM alignment.
- Monitor warehouse/3PL performance and work closely with the Warehouse Associate on inventory, dispatch and operational priorities.
Procurement & Vendor Management
- Facilitate operational procurement in line with Sun King policies, approval matrices and delegated authorities.
- Maintain an up-to-date database of approved operational vendors and service providers.
- Participate in sourcing, evaluation and onboarding of 3PLs, clearing agents, transporters, warehouse providers, security firms and other operational suppliers.
- Establish effective supplier relationships and participate in commercial reviews, negotiations and performance improvement.
- Monitor supplier compliance with defined contractual requirements, KPIs and service levels.
Logistics, Distribution & Performance Management
- Coordinate inbound logistics from port/entry point through customs clearance and warehouse receipt, as well as outbound distribution to retail, field and customer locations.
- Manage 3PL, transportation and distribution partners, including establishment and monitoring of SLAs and KPIs.
- Monitor delivery performance, delays, losses, damages and claims, with corrective action where required.
- Coordinate last-mile and reverse logistics, including returns, damaged/defective inventory and inventory disposition.
- Contribute to inventory planning and forecasting, logistics/warehousing cost management, operational reporting and identification of cost and process improvement opportunities.
Any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.
You might be a strong candidate if you have:
- A degree qualification from a recognized institution, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Procurement and Logistics, Distribution and/or an equivalent field.
- 4+ years' progressive experience in Supply Chain, Logistics or Operations.
- Experience in FMCG, consumer electronics, solar/energy, telecommunications or another high-volume distribution environment is preferred.
- Practical experience in import/export, customs clearance, transport, warehousing, inventory management and distribution.
- Experience managing 3PLs, clearing agents, transporters and other operational service providers.
- Experience with ERP/CRM systems and strong data skills using Excel/Google Sheets.
- Demonstrated knowledge of relevant Ethiopian legislation and regulatory requirements relating to importation, customs, transport and warehousing.
- Experience developing or improving operational processes, SOPs, controls and performance reporting.