Operations & Logistics Manager

Location: Lusaka, Zambia 
 
About VITALITE

VITALITE is a high-growth, clean-tech company providing home solar systems and appliances to customers in Zambia without access to electricity. Founded in 2013, VITALITE was the first to pioneer off-grid solar home systems on a loan-to-own model in Zambia, which allows families to afford reliable electricity and life-changing appliances that can drastically improve their lives.  Over 1 billion people in the world lack access to electricity, and we believe that access to electricity should be a right for everyone, everywhere.  Today, we serve over 75,000 customers in Zambia with energy solutions, through 30 shops and 300 community-based agents.

According to an independent survey of our customers (run by impact reporting agency, 60 Decibels), 88% find we’ve very much improved their quality of life.
What’s it like to work here?

We have built a vibrant and dynamic team in which all of us are treated fairly and given equal opportunity to progress;

• We work in an emotionally safe environment within which we all have the opportunity to `fully express ourselves;
• Everyone is encouraged to create a positive impact for themselves, their colleagues, and our customers by taking full accountability for what we do every day.

According to an independent survey (run by global gender advisory firm, Value for Women);

• 94% of team members feel respected by their colleagues
• 97% of team members like our mission and purpose
•  86% of team members believe men and women have equal career opportunities
• 94% of team members believe issues of sexual harassment are taken seriously here
• 89% of team members believe we encourage open and honest communications

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Operations and Logistics Manager to join our team in Lusaka. In this role, you are responsible for our product supply chain, from manufacturer to consumer, including importation, warehouse management, dispatch to our retail shops, and reverse logistics of product returns. In addition, the position encompasses responsibility for operations of our many retail shops, including full stock control, as well as managing service providers and contractors, as well as managing the company’s vehicle fleet.
The company places a high priority on personal integrity, hard work, and respect for customers and co-workers.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Managing, leading, coaching and training a dynamic operations and logistics team, developing a culture of efficiency, attention to detail and safety.
• Development and implementation of operations processes and policies that ensure company objectives are met in an effective and safe manner.
•   Enforce and control that policies and processes are adhered to and take appropriate action if breached.
•  Management of our frequent importation activity, including customs clearance and monitoring trade regulations and changes to tax and duty exemptions.
• Warehouse management, including stock control, optimization of inventory levels, and orderly and efficient loading and unloading of shipments.
• Management of dispatch and distribution of stock of retail shops across the country, including detailed analysis to determine optimal routing.
• Supply chain inventory planning through coordination with sales team and suppliers.
• Last mile distribution management, ensuring timely delivery and installation of products, as well as reverse logistics.
• Ensure that the company’s vehicle fleet of motor vehicles and motorbikes is serviced and maintained in a cost-effective way, whilst ensuring high availability. Develop and implement policies, processes and control measures to ensure vehicles are used in line with business requirements, including the continuous improvement of the company’s fleet strategy.
• Standardization of processes across all our retail shops and management of customer service and support in each shop.
• Oversee new retail shop openings and manage their ongoing maintenance.
• Operational risk management, including identification of key operational risks and implementation of corrective measures.
• Manage Service Level Agreements with service providers and contractors to ensure compliance with business requirements.

Qualifications: 

• Minimum of 7 years of proven track record in project management and logistics.
• A bachelor’s degree in project management, operations or logistics. A master’s degree is a plus.
• Highly analytical with a high level of competency in Excel and other analytical tools.
• Proven experience in transportation routing and optimization.
• Extensive experience in logistics, procurement, warehouse operation, retail shop management, inventory control and fleet management.
• Passion for working in a social enterprise involving households in off‐grid rural areas.
• Fluent in English written and verbal
• A strong sense of ownership and accountability and a passion for working in a dynamic, entrepreneurial, high-growth company.

If this position sounds like a good fit for you, please submit your cover letter and CV. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Kindly reference the job title in your application.

VITALITE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, or disability.

VITALITE does not charge any fees on recruitment.