Operations Manager

Job Summary

The Operations Manager designs, adapts, and executes the administrative and procurement strategy for Inkomoko's operations in Rwanda. Key responsibilities include managing day-to-day facilities, directing real estate procurement and construction contractors for new sites, embedding ESG/demographic metrics into vendor contracts, supervising multi-site administrative teams via continuous feedback models, and managing operational budgets in partnership with global finance teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Strategy, Governance & Risk Mitigation (25%)

• Implement Operational Strategies: Adapt and roll out scalable operational playbooks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and resource allocation models across all regional offices in Rwanda.
• Lead Risk Mitigation: Architect risk management frameworks to safeguard Inkomoko’s field teams, digital and physical assets, client databases, and corporate reputation.
• Enforce Compliance: Monitor operations to guarantee absolute compliance with internal global organizational mandates, national Rwandan labor and tax regulations, and international non-profit operating standards.

2. Administrative Operations & Infrastructure Expansion (25%)

• Manage Facilities End-to-End: Supervise the daily operational readiness, security protocols, and logistical frameworks across all established corporate and refugee-camp adjacent offices in Rwanda.
• Lead Infrastructure Expansion: Direct new facility construction and build-outs, owning the lifecycle from initial site procurement and architectural design alignment to general contractor selection and project handover.
• Optimize Workplace Efficiency: Analyze and eliminate operational friction loops, workflow redundancies, and administrative bottlenecks identified during the organization's Happiness Audits.

3. Socially Responsible Procurement & Vendor Relations (20%)

• Govern Sourcing Processes: Oversee the country-wide procurement workflow to achieve cost-effective, transparent, and timely acquisition of goods, technical materials, and services.
• Embed ESG Standards: Build and manage vendor networks using rigid Social Procurement Standards, intentionally favoring small businesses, green operations, and enterprises led by women or refugees.
• Negotiate Master Service Agreements: Lead contract negotiations, establish service level agreements (SLAs), and conduct performance evaluations on third-party service providers.

4. Staff Leadership, Mentorship & Performance Culture (20%)

• Supervise Distributed Teams: Provide direct leadership and coaching to Administrative and Procurement Officers spread across multiple geographic offices in Rwanda.
• Cultivate Radical Candor: Run structured performance evaluations, establishing an environment of rapid personal growth using direct feedback and objective-driven KPIs.
• Build Team Cohesion: Convene regular operational syncs, technical skill workshops, and cross-office alignment meetings to maintain unified corporate standards.

5. Financial Management & Budgetary Accountability (10%)

• Manage Operational Budgets: Formulate and manage the annual country operational budget in close alignment with the Finance Department and Country Managing Director.
• Enforce Cost Controls: Monitor monthly variance reports, control expenditures, and introduce data-driven cost-saving initiatives without compromising program delivery.
• Deliver Operational Reports: Prepare and present performance updates detailing budget utilization, procurement timelines, and asset distribution to executive leadership.

Experience & Competencies

Candidates must bring a strong balance of customer-service focus and rigorous administrative experience in fast-moving, high-stakes environments:

Academic & Core Credentials

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Logistics, International Development, or a closely related functional field.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in operations management, with a clear preference for leadership roles held within established social enterprises, international NGOs, or fast-scaling corporate entities.

Technical & Regional Competencies

• Multi-Site Operational Track Record: Verified experience managing distributed logistics and facilities across diverse geographic footprints, remote branches, or complex field environments.
• Socially Responsible Sourcing: Proven history implementing green procurement practices, diverse supplier programs, or targeted purchasing models that benefit marginalized groups.
• Systems Fluency: High proficiency using modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools, e-procurement platforms, project management applications, and the MS Office suite.
• Linguistic Versatility: Complete professional fluency in written and verbal English. Strong command of at least one East African language (such as Kinyarwanda or Kiswahili) is highly preferred to ensure effective communication with community entrepreneurs and local stakeholders.

Expected Outputs & Deliverables

• Scalable facility playbooks, emergency response risk registers, and operational compliance audit trails.
• Successful delivery of newly procured and fully operational branch offices on time and within budget.
• An active, auditable vendor matrix demonstrating clear social procurement metrics (refugee, female, and eco-friendly ownership metrics).
• Balanced operational expenditure logs keeping country administration running within annual financial budget lines.

Skills Required:

• Logistics / Supply / Chain
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management