Supply Chain Specialist -Tea / Food Commodities

Reports to: MD & HQ SC Manager

Key Responsibilities:

Supply Chain Coordination:

• Oversee the end-to-end logistics operations for various products (knowledge in TEA is most preferred, including import/export, storage, and distribution.
• Coordinate with suppliers, transporters, warehouses, and clients to ensure smooth movement of goods.
• Work closely with the procurement and sales teams to meet delivery schedules.

Transportation Management:

• Organize transportation for both bulk tea shipments and finished products.
• Manage logistics providers, ensuring timely and cost-effective transport solutions.
• Negotiate contracts and rates with transport providers.

Inventory and Warehousing:

• Monitor stock levels in warehouses, ensuring efficient space utilization.
• Implement inventory management techniques such as FIFO and LIFO for tea products.
• Collaborate with warehouse teams to ensure product quality and safety standards are maintained.

Customs and Regulatory Compliance:

• Handle documentation for import/export, including customs clearance.
• Ensure compliance with local and international regulations related to tea exports and imports.
• Liaise with customs brokers and government authorities to avoid delays.

Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve logistics processes and reduce operational costs.
• Implement best practices for logistics and supply chain management.
• Use data-driven insights to optimize delivery schedules, routes, and resource allocation.

Production Coordination:

• Support production planning by ensuring the timely procurement and availability of raw materials, including tea leaves, packaging materials, and other ingredients.
• Coordinate with the production department to ensure that production timelines align with logistics and delivery schedules.
• Oversee the movement of materials to and from the production facilities, ensuring efficiency and minimal downtime in production lines.

Procurement Management:

• Manage the procurement of tea leaves and other raw materials necessary for production.
• Negotiate procurement contracts and ensure cost-effective purchasing of raw materials and packaging for tea products.
• Conduct regular evaluations of suppliers to ensure they meet quality standards and delivery requirements.

Supplier and Vendor Management:

• Maintain strong relationships with transporters, clearing agents, and warehouse operators.
• Regularly assess vendor performance and take corrective action if necessary.
• Ensure accurate and timely payments to logistics vendors.

Reporting and Analysis:

• Maintain accurate records of all logistics activities and transactions.
• Prepare regular reports on inventory levels, delivery timelines, transportation costs, and other key metrics.
• Use logistics KPIs to evaluate performance and suggest improvements.

Cost Optimization:

• Contribute in analysing procurement, production, and logistics costs to identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement.
• Work closely with the finance team to ensure that production and procurement expenses are aligned with the company’s budget and profitability targets.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain management, business administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in logistics or supply chain operations, within the tea or food commodities industry.
• Strong understanding of import/export regulations and customs procedures.
• Experience with inventory management, warehousing, and transportation logistics.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• May be required to travel between various warehouses, tea factories, and ports, depending on the operation's needs.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Personal Attributes

• Proficiency in using ERP systems (e.g., SAGE )and Microsoft Office Suite with excellent skills in Excel
• Organizational Skills: Efficient in managing multiple tasks, prioritizing work, and maintaining detailed records. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to Detail: Strong ability to ensure accuracy and consistency in operational management reporting and analysis.
• Analytical Thinking: Able to interpret data, identify trends, and provide insights for support in decision-making.
• Problem Solving: Proactive in addressing cost benefit issues and identifying solutions to improve cost management and profitability.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to liaise with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Teamwork: Collaborative approach to working with finance , sales, export teams, management, and external partners while creating a lively work spirit in the department
• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced business environment.
• Ethical Judgment & integrity: High integrity and professionalism in handling sensitive financial information. Ability to uphold confidential data. High levels of personal discipline and ability to respect organizational authority structures
• Leadership Skills: Ability to lead and motivate a team, provide constructive feedback, and support professional development.
• Supplier Management Skills: Experience in managing supplier relationships, monitoring performance, and enhancing logistical efficiency.