General Supply Lead

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role The General Supply Lead will play a vital role in strengthening the supply chain’s field-based reliability, resilience, responsiveness, and relationships in direct support and service of Mercy Ships’ general operations. Serving onboard a Mercy Ships vessel, the position will be responsible for leading the team that receives, manages, and distributes general (food and non-food) supplies. The role will report to the shipboard Supply Manager and will supervise the General Inventory Specialist, Supply Officer, and Supply Assistants. As the team leader, the position will be responsible for building trust, relationships, and excellence in the customer-facing supply chain.

As a subject matter expert (SME) in supply operations, the individual will collaborate closely with global and regional supply chain teams in the United States and Netherlands, communicating inventory discrepancies, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in the downstream supply chain. What you will contribute Leadership and Development Responsible for developing the operational and spiritual health of the General Supply team, fostering morale and cultivating opportunities for team members to grow while working within the community of faith in a diverse working environment.

Lead, supervise, and coach team members to empower growth, upskilling, and development opportunities in support of delivering objectives and a positive work experience. Provide guidance and recommendations to the EMEA Supply Chain Director for enhancing and updating knowledge management documents, including SOPs, best practices, field service manuals, and training materials. Supply Operations Responsible for ensuring supply personnel perform efficient and accurate supply put aways, inventory control, order picking/dispensing, and restocking procedures.

Enhance material and information flows by coaching staff, continuously improving storeroom layout, and applying Lean methodology to remove bottlenecks, increase stock count efficiency, and achieve inventory accuracy targets. Lead the local procurement process, including product selection, deciding order quantities, selecting and working with suppliers, negotiating prices, and coordinating delivery logistics. Execute and improve standardized work instructions (SWIs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to provide uninterrupted supply availability to vessel operations and surgical programs. Leverage inventory data and analysis (including 80/20 analysis) to strategically manage…

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