Chief Operating Officer

SUMMARY:
Global healthcare company requires an experienced COO to oversee operations in South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa.

POSITION INFO:
This Chief Operating Officer will be based in Johannesburg and will be responsible for the smooth operations of the Business Units within Africa. The position reports into the Chief Executive Officer and contributes as a member of senior management in each country.
The Business Units in Africa includes but is not limited to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Gabon.
The Chief Operating Officer will be required to travel to the Business Units regularly.

Direct Reports
IT Manager
Lab Efficiency Manager
QA Manager
Supply Chain and Purchasing Manager

Out of scope: Shareholders, HR, Marketing and Finance
Compliance
Comply with the company policies and procedures
Follow the Health, Safety and Environmental regulations
Drive values
Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements including ISO requirements, audits, finance, and accounting management requirements.
Drive good governance and compliance within the operations in all business aspects

Operational Excellence
Budgeting and optimisation - review and summit annual budgets and proposals
Manage and report on cost of sales budget
Attend and present at Board meetings as a non-voting member
Drive quality of services and execute budget
Provide guidance on the roadmap e.g. lab efficiency, QA, projects etc.
Business plan/case review assess and validate with the CEOs
Review and approve the CAPEX for all countries in alignment with the budget and cash flow
Provide monthly reports on business progress, procurement performance, projects and risks assessments
Work closely with the BU teams to define, monitor KPIs on turnover, TAT etc
Set up key indicators and dashboards to measure the performance of the actions carried out in this area (budget, performance indicators, etc.).
Analyse indicators, identify, and share malfunctions, provide solutions and reporting to internal customers and management.
Maintain strong relationships with healthcare providers, government agencies, and other key stakeholders in each country to ensure trust and satisfaction with laboratory services

Project Management
Manage operational projects in their entirety, from budgeting to delivery
Allocate the right resources to each project to maximise efficiency, costs, and quality of service
Monitor the performance of the projects versus budget during the deployment, and up to the end of each project
Maintain the agreed timelines as per the project management schedule
Lead large supply chain and procurement projects, including the design and deployment of new supply chain and procurement systems and services
For each project, communicate to the steering committee with all milestones, achievements, delays, and costs evolution

Technology & Innovation:
Lead initiatives to implement advanced laboratory technologies and automation systems across all Business Units in Africa, ensuring global consistency in service delivery
Oversee the integration and management of laboratory information systems (LIS) and data analytics tools for operational reporting and decision-making
Ensure the adoption of innovative testing technologies and services to maintain the company’s competitive edge

Procurement
Analysing business requirements by partnering with key stakeholders across the organization to develop solutions for supply chain and procurement needs.
Identifying and acting on opportunities to improve and update Supply Chain and Procurement systems
Help define Supply Chain and Procurement strategy, architecture, and processes
Contribute to the sourcing of new suppliers with local and global purchasing and operational teams (in CLA countries) by expressing an opinion on procurement performance
Set up with selected suppliers a sourcing plan based on the constraints expressed by internal customers (central and local operations department)

Supply Chain and Logistics
Oversee the global supply chain for laboratory equipment, consumables, and reagents, ensuring timely procurement and distribution to all locations
Work with global and local vendors to optimize supply agreements and maintain equipment, adhering to high standards of quality and cost-effectiveness
Implement systems for managing inventory, logistics, and vendor relationships at each location.
Is responsible for compliance with national and international regulations regarding the transport of potentially infectious risk materials
Participate in the implementation of a logistics route optimization management tool (picking transport)
Plan and coordinate the transport of products or goods (stock management, coherent organization of flows, shipment management)
Ensure that regulatory obligations are properly understood and applied
Implementation of tools on the logistics, transport, and supply side
Active role in the implementation of electronic procurement tools (automation and implementation of procurement function processes)
Plan and coordinate the transport of products or goods (stock management, coherent organization of flows, shipment management)
Follow-up of supply, transport, and logistics operations
Monitor performance of supply chain and procurement systems to determine cost and productivity levels, and to make recommendations for improving the supply chain and procurement organization
Assess vendors and proposal

Strategic Planning & Global Expansion
Collaborate with the executive team to create and execute the operational strategy for global growth, including the opening of new laboratory locations and expansion into new markets
Analyze international market trends and develop strategies to enhance the competitive position of the company’s laboratories in each region
Ensure efficient resource allocation across multiple locations, balancing cost control with service delivery

Human Resource
Conduct and complete the Performance Appraisals for your direct reports
Ensure time and attendance in strict accordance with the CLA policies
Review and approve annual salary reviews and bonus reviews as per approved budget for the region
Assist with the recruitment of direct line reports
Ensure training is conducted for new staff and coach and mentor direct reports
Ensure that all company policies are being implemented, adhered to, and appropriate disciplinary measures instituted against violations of such policies
Dissemination of information and general communication
Employee Separation (Termination/Redundancy) – review exit interviews and make recommendations for improvement

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Master’s degree in medical technology, healthcare management, business administration, or a related field
Experience: 8-10 years of experience in healthcare operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing multiple locations or international operations
International Experience: Proven track record in managing cross-border operations, including understanding of various healthcare systems, regulatory frameworks, and cultural nuances
Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of global healthcare and laboratory systems, laboratory standards, and country-specific regulations
Financial Expertise: Strong experience in budgeting, financial planning, and cost control for international operations
Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams across multiple countries and work collaboratively in a global environment