Associate Manager, Operations (m/w/d)

The Associate Manager, Operations will help establish and execute Sun King's Ethiopia Operations function, ensuring reliable, compliant and cost-effective flow of products from importation through customs clearance, warehousing, inventory management, fulfilment and distribution. The role will work closely with the Manager, Operations and cross-functional teams to establish scalable operational processes, manage external logistics partners, maintain inventory integrity and deliver defined service levels.

As part of the initial Ethiopia operations set-up, the role will contribute to establishing the country's operating model, SOPs, controls, systems and performance management framework.

What you will be expected to do

Operations Management & Process Excellence

• Contribute to the design, implementation and continuous improvement of the end-to-end Ethiopia Operations model covering planning & forecasting, imports, customs, warehousing, inventory, fulfilment, distribution and reverse logistics.
• Develop and maintain operational SOPs, process flows, controls, trackers and management reports in line with Sun King standards.
• Monitor operational KPIs, identify gaps and implement sustainable solutions to improve service, efficiency and cost.
• Ensure accurate and timely ERP/CRM transactions and operational data.
• Facilitate cross-functional coordination across Commercial, Finance, Procurement, Customer Experience and Operations.

Import, Customs & Regulatory Compliance

• Coordinate import planning, shipment readiness and documentation with Commercial, Finance, suppliers and logistics partners.
• Manage day-to-day coordination with clearing agents and freight partners to facilitate timely customs clearance and cargo release.
• Maintain accurate HS Code/classification records and coordinate assessment of duties, taxes, permits, certifications and other regulatory requirements.
• Monitor clearance timelines, storage/demurrage exposure and shipment exceptions, ensuring documentation is complete and audit-ready.
• Participate in sourcing and onboarding of clearing agents, freight forwarders and other import-related service providers.

Warehouse & Inventory Management

• Contribute to warehouse establishment and readiness, including layouts, processes, controls and operating standards.
• Monitor inventory across warehouses, retail points and field locations, ensuring availability, accuracy and traceability.
• Oversee stock movements, inventory in transit, aging, stock-outs, slow-moving/dead stock and inventory reconciliation.
• Establish and monitor cycle counts, stock takes and inventory controls, including serial-number traceability and ERP/CRM alignment.
• Monitor warehouse/3PL performance and work closely with the Warehouse Associate on inventory, dispatch and operational priorities.

Procurement & Vendor Management

• Facilitate operational procurement in line with Sun King policies, approval matrices and delegated authorities.
• Maintain an up-to-date database of approved operational vendors and service providers.
• Participate in sourcing, evaluation and onboarding of 3PLs, clearing agents, transporters, warehouse providers, security firms and other operational suppliers.
• Establish effective supplier relationships and participate in commercial reviews, negotiations and performance improvement.
• Monitor supplier compliance with defined contractual requirements, KPIs and service levels.

Logistics, Distribution & Performance Management

• Coordinate inbound logistics from port/entry point through customs clearance and warehouse receipt, as well as outbound distribution to retail, field and customer locations.
• Manage 3PL, transportation and distribution partners, including establishment and monitoring of SLAs and KPIs.
• Monitor delivery performance, delays, losses, damages and claims, with corrective action where required.
• Coordinate last-mile and reverse logistics, including returns, damaged/defective inventory and inventory disposition.
• Contribute to inventory planning and forecasting, logistics/warehousing cost management, operational reporting and identification of cost and process improvement opportunities.

Any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

You might be a strong candidate if you have

• A degree qualification from a recognized institution, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Procurement and Logistics, Distribution and/or an equivalent field.
• 4+ years' progressive experience in Supply Chain, Logistics or Operations.
• Experience in FMCG, consumer electronics, solar/energy, telecommunications or another high-volume distribution environment is preferred.
• Practical experience in import/export, customs clearance, transport, warehousing, inventory management and distribution.
• Experience managing 3PLs, clearing agents, transporters and other operational service providers.
• Experience with ERP/CRM systems and strong data skills using Excel/Google Sheets.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant Ethiopian legislation and regulatory requirements relating to importation, customs, transport and warehousing.
• Experience developing or improving operational processes, SOPs, controls and performance reporting.

What Sun King offers

• Professional growth in a dynamic, rapidly expanding, high-social-impact industry
• An open-minded, collaborative culture made up of enthusiastic colleagues who are driven by the challenge of innovation towards profound impact on people and the planet.
• A truly multicultural experience: you will have the chance to work with and learn from people from different geographies, nationalities, and backgrounds.
• Structured, tailored learning and development programs that help you become a better leader, manager, and professional through the Sun Center for Leadership.

We place great importance on sustaining a diverse, inclusive work environment.

We believe that innovation and understanding comes from diversity on every spectrum. We work to make sure every Sun King team member knows that they belong, knowing that sustaining an inclusive workplace requires conscious effort and is a continuous journey, not an end-state.

Sun King recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes people based on their experience, skills, effort, and results. We explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, caste, national origin, color, gender, marital status, family structure, sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, or disability.