Supply Chain Operations Specialist

Supply Chain Operations Specialist

Are you a supply chain professional with experience of working within the humanitarian sector with experience of complex supply chain planning and implementation? Reporting to the Supply Chain Operations and Resilience Manager, you will lead the development and execution of emergency supply chain plans, manage two Logistics Officers, and work across teams to embed localization and resilience.

The Humanitarian and Stabilisation Operations Team (HSOT) is contracted by Palladium to deliver the Humanitarian Emergency Response Operations and Stabilisation Programme (HEROS), working with FCDO's Humanitarian Crisis Response Department (HCRD) and the Migration and Conflict Directorate (MCD), as well as multiple UK Government teams and partners in 130 countries. The team provides operational and advisory support to meet humanitarian needs and restore stability in sudden-onset disasters, protracted crises and complex emergencies.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Anticipatory & Rapid Response Supply Chain Planning

Design and develop operational supply chain plans for priority geographies including contingency options, which incorporate as far as feasible, localization, environmental improvements, and resilience.

Coordinate research from supply chain network, partners, and suppliers to feed into planning.

Through the supply chain planning process and alongside other roles in the supply chain team identify and enact opportunities for improvements to stockholdings and supply chain operations.

Work with freight forwarders to identify and mitigate safeguarding risks during responses, through collaboration outside of responses.

Freight Operations

Scope, plan, contract, and manage freight for HSOT according to internal process.

Oversee freight operations, identifying and raising risks and enacting mitigations as required.

Oversee all freight tasks being undertaken by others within the Supply Chain Team.

Work with the Supply Chain Movements Specialist to draft and implement load plans for FCDO’s stockpiled Core Relief Items (CRIs) and Response Enabling Capabilities (RECs).

Systems, Compliance, and Reporting

Manage compliance with relevant legislation, including GDP and other specialist requirements such as Dual Use legislation for UK export and DG legislation for multimodal movements.

Support after action reviews and lessons learned exercises to improve future planning.

As required, develop, maintain, and improve SOPs for SC operations, e.g. Delivery, Response, and Replenishment.

Response Delivery and Reporting

Support and create supply chains during responses, including contracting for goods and services, organizing inspections, optimizing freight movements and where viable, integrate local and regional sources with international supply chains.

Engage with deployed teams, FCDO Country offices, and in-country Partners, to effectively plan and manage supply chains during response.

Proactively capture response data to inform preparedness and response planning, drive continuous improvement, and ensure accountability. Support after-action reviews and lessons learned exercises to improve future planning.

Surge into other operational, procurement, logistics, or programmatic tasks within and outside of response, as required by Supply Chain team management.

Manage stockholdings in London and Kemble of deployment equipment and assets issued to contractors and staff, ensuring capacity is in place for HCRD and MCD, to support regular and rapid issue in response. As required issue, track, and monitor equipment issued to contractors and staff, acting as a conduit for information between the Supply Chain team and the Advisory and Surge team.

Collaboration

Work constructively with colleagues to achieve shared goals.

Share knowledge, support others, and contribute to a positive team culture.

Be open to feedback and willing to adapt to meet team needs.

Risk Management

Be aware of potential risks to effective and responsible programme management and contribute to mitigation measures according to job role.

Be familiar with and actively participate in established risk management procedures, including reporting issues against identified risks and failures of mitigation measures.

Contribute to risk assessment activities and suggest improvements.

Other Duties

The post holder will be required to deploy at very short notice to support an FCDO response for minimum of 4 weeks for up to 30% of their time.

Participate in HEST training and work to mitigate safety and security threats for self and others.

Undertake any other duties as appropriate to the position, as requested.

Fulfil role of Duty Officer on rotation, providing week-long out of hours surveillance of emergencies.

Contribute to HEROS contract monthly, quarterly, annual contractual reporting on specialist portfolio, and provide support as requested in support of results-based reporting.

Collaborate constructively with colleagues to achieve shared goals and deliver impactful outcomes.

Share knowledge and expertise to support team members and contribute to a positive, inclusive team culture.

Remain open to feedback and demonstrate adaptability to meet evolving team and project needs.

Support business Transition and Exit Planning: Play a pivotal role in adapting to system upgrades and organizational changes, ensuring the workforce is aligned with future business needs.

As appropriate, engage with Palladium UKEA regional team fora and initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in anticipatory and rapid response supply chain planning

Proven ability to translate scenarios into actionable supply chain strategies

Strong understanding of supply chain risk mitigation approaches

Expertise in stock strategy and inventory management

Ability to assess and implement in-kind assistance through local or regional partners

Analytical and data-informed decision-making skills

Ability to work across teams

Ability to develop and maintain SOPs and planning tools

Experience advising on supply chain aspects of humanitarian policy or donor-funded programme

Act with integrity, reliability, and respect in all interactions

Represent Palladium positively in all professional settings

Take ownership of tasks and responsibilities.

Candidates must hold the right to work in the UK.

Closing date for the advert is 20th October 2025.

Deliver work to agreed standards and deadlines.

Follow through on commitments and raise concerns early when issues arise.