**Job Description :** **Job Purpose** The Head of Materials Planning, Africa is responsible for leading and optimizing the materials management function across all African supply facilities. This role ensures the efficient supply, deployment, and management of components and raw materials to support production needs while minimizing costs and maximizing operational efficiency. **Key Responsibilities** + **Strategic Leadership:** Develop and implement strategies for effective materials management, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives. + **Supply Chain Optimization:** Oversee the end-to-end supply chain process for materials, including procurement, inventory management, and reverse logistics. + **Cost Management:** Minimize obsolescence costs and optimize inventory levels to reduce overall costs while maintaining high service levels. + **Stakeholder Collaboration:** Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders including Supply Chain Directors, Production Managers, Suppliers, and third-party partners to ensure seamless operations. + **Performance Analysis:** Conduct root cause analysis and trend analysis on critical case volume and inventory valuation data to drive continuous improvement. + **Team Leadership:** Lead a team of material planners across various locations, providing guidance, training, and development opportunities to enhance team performance. + **Process Improvement:** Implement best practices in materials planning and management to improve efficiency and effectiveness across the supply chain. + **Compliance & Reporting:** Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards. Prepare regular reports on materials management performance for senior leadership. **Key Skills & Competencies** + Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills + Excellent leadership and team management abilities + Proficiency in supply chain management software (e.g., SAP) + Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets + Excellent communication and collaboration skills + Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines **Qualifications & Experience** + Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field + Extensive experience in materials management or supply chain leadership roles + Proven track record of successful materials optimization projects + Certification in APICS (CPIM) or equivalent is a plus + Proven track record of Digital transformation in materials management **Working with Us** Flexibility is key to success in our business and many of our people work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time, compressed hours, flexible location. Please talk to us about what flexibility means to you and don’t let anything stop you from applying. We believe the most diverse and inclusive culture makes for a better business and a better world. We know that for our business to thrive and for Diageo to realise its ambition, we depend on having diverse talent with a range of backgrounds, skills and capabilities in each of the countries in which we operate and to reflect our broad consumer base. Around the world we have a number of inclusive Business and Employee Resource Groups known as BRGs and ERGs. These influential groups, made up of our people, represent various viewpoints, experiences and communities who generate thought-provoking work to enhance our business and workplace, creating a sense of belonging and opportunities for all. Join us and you can also expect a highly competitive and flexible rewards and benefits package. Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And creating an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and listened to, is a crucial part of this. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a better world. We know that for our business to thrive and for Diageo to realise its ambition, we depend on having diverse talent with a range of backgrounds, skills and capabilities in each of the countries in which we operate and to reflect our broad consumer base. Join us, and you'll be part of an organisation that embraces diversity in the broadest possible sense. This means that you'll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you. You'll be part of — and help build — an inclusive culture that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences, approaches, and more. And you'll help us champion inclusion and diversity across our entire business: with our employees, our suppliers, across our brands, and within the communities in which we operate. **About Us** With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. Every day, over 30,000 dedicated people come together at Diageo to create the magic behind our much-loved brands. Join us and you’ll collaborate, explore, and innovate. Challenge and be challenged. Together with passionate people from all over the world, you’ll build brands consumers love. We value each other and celebrate different perspectives. In our inclusive culture, you’ll have the backing you need to test new ideas and learn from them. Harness your passion and desire to grow as you make your mark. Let’s unlock a brighter, more exciting future together. Our ambition is to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. To achieve this, we need the world’s very best people. We're looking for people with curiosity, creativity, boldness and a sense of purpose to take Diageo and our timeless, pioneering brands to the next level. Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you! **Worker Type :** Regular **Primary Location:** 1HQ **Additional Locations :** Nairobi HQ **Job Posting Start Date :** 2024-11-11 With over 200 brands sold in more than 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. Every day, over 30,000 talented people come together at Diageo to create the magic behind our much-loved brands. From iconic names to innovative newcomers – the brands we’re building are rooted in culture and local communities. Our ambition is to be one of the best performing, most trusted and most respected consumer products companies in the world. Our founders, such as Arthur Guinness, John Walker, and Charles Tanqueray, were visionary entrepreneurs whose brilliant minds helped shape the alcohol industry. And through our people, their legacy lives on. Join us, and you’ll collaborate with talented people from all corners of the world. Together, you’ll innovate and push boundaries, shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future that we can all be proud of. With diversity at our core, we celebrate our people's unique passions, commitments and specialist skills. Because when varied voices, mindsets, and personalities come together, great ideas are born. In our supportive culture, your voice will be heard and you’ll be empowered to be you. Just bring your ambition, curiosity and ideas, and we’ll celebrate your work and help you reach your fullest potential. **DRINKiQ** What's your DRINKiQ? Take our quiz to understand how alcohol is made and explore the effects of drinking. You can discover everything you need to know at DRINKiQ (https://www.drinkiq.com/en-gb/)