Supply Chain Manager

Description

Organisation Overview
Forney Enterprise Pty Ltd is a privately owned manufacturing company founded in 2005 and based on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. The business operates the world’s largest kava processing facility and is a leading global exporter of premium kava powders. Forney has played a key role in expanding the international kava market while maintaining strong commitments to quality, sustainability, and community partnerships.
Position Summary: Supply Chain Manage
The Supply Chain Manager is responsible for overseeing and strengthening the entire supply chain, from community-based sourcing through procurement, warehousing, logistics, and production support. This role combines strategic leadership with frequent on-site engagement, working closely with farming communities, traditional leaders, and rural suppliers.
This is a hands-on leadership position, not an office-only role. Field insights gathered directly from growers and suppliers will inform procurement strategies, production planning, sustainability initiatives, and long-term business decisions. The role supports Forney’s values of safety, ethical operations, sustainability, and customer excellence.

Key Responsibilities
Supply Chain Strategy & Commercial Management
•Design and implement an integrated supply chain strategy aligned with production goals and business growth.
•Establish forecasting processes, supplier evaluation frameworks, and procurement governance systems.
•Monitor market dynamics including pricing trends, seasonal factors, climate risks, and logistics challenges.
•Improve cost efficiency, supply reliability, and raw material quality.
•Maintain strong traceability systems and documentation to meet GMP/SQF and export compliance standards.
Farmer Engagement & Community Relations
•Develop long-term, respectful partnerships with farmers, cooperatives, and local leaders.
•Lead training, engagement, and best-practice sourcing initiatives across supplier regions.
•Ensure sourcing practices meet cultural expectations, sustainability objectives, and certification requirements.
•Spend regular time in sourcing areas to understand supply conditions and community priorities.
•Promote ethical sourcing, transparent communication, and accessible grievance processes.
Procurement, Warehousing & Logistics Oversight
•Manage procurement activities to ensure steady supply and consistent raw material quality.
•Lead warehouse and field teams to maintain accurate inventory and smooth internal logistics.
•Improve coordination between procurement, warehousing, quality assurance, and production teams.
•Support production planning and quality control through timely and accurate supply data.
•Enhance transport efficiency, carrier performance, and on-time, in-full delivery outcomes.
Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement
•Lead, coach, and develop teams across sourcing, procurement, and warehousing functions.
•Implement SOPs, KPIs, reporting systems, and continuous improvement practices such as Lean or 5S.
•Foster a culture of accountability, safety, quality, and respectful community engagement.
•Build succession plans, skills development frameworks, and conduct regular performance reviews.

Selection Criteri
Essential Requirements:
•Minimum 5 years’ experience in supply chain management, procurement, or agribusiness leadership.
•Proven ability to combine strategic planning with hands-on field involvement.
•Experience working with rural, Indigenous, or smallholder farming communities.
•Strong commercial judgment, negotiation skills, and analytical thinking.
•Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams.
•High cultural awareness, humility, and strong interpersonal communication skills.
•Proficiency with digital systems, documentation tools, and Excel or ERP platforms.
•Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
•Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments.
Highly Regarded:
•Background in commodities, food production, agricultural sourcing, or cooperatives.
•Experience working in emerging markets or regional supply environments.
•Involvement in implementing supply chain systems or inventory management tools.
•Familiarity with Pacific cultures or the kava industry (advantageous but not essential).
Education
•Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Salary
Competitive salary package, commensurate with experience.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted via email.
Email: [email protected]
Contact Person: Human Resource