Senior Manager - Responsible Supply Chain. Corporate Affairs MANCO

We at MTN are a purpose and value-led organization. At MTN, we believe that understanding our people’s needs and aspirations is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, every day. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Y’ello Family is heard, understood, and empowered to live an inspired life.  

Our values keep us grounded and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, they keep us honest. It is not something we claim to be. It is in our DNA. 

As an organisation, we consider it our mission to create an exciting and rewarding place to work, where our people can be themselves, thrive in positivity and ignite their full potential. A workplace that boosts creativity and innovation, improves productivity, and ultimately drives meaningful results. A workplace that is built on relationships and achieving a purpose that is bigger than us. This is what we want you to experience with us! 

Our commitments go beyond an organisational promise. It is in our leadership and managerial ethos to meaningfully partner with our employees, customers and stakeholders with a vision to realise our shared goals.

Live Y’ello 

• Lead with Care 
• Can-do with Integrity 
• Collaborate with Agility 
• Serve with Respect 
• Act with Inclusion 

The urgency for change has become more heightened amidst increased competitive intensity across all markets in which MTN operates. The Group’s Sustainability function under which this role falls must therefore ensure the successful delivery in the context of:

• Rapidly changing ICT environment
• Complex and rapid evolution of technology and regulation 
• Macro-social and political climate intricacies of our operating environment 
• The geographic complexity of MTN’s footprint across Africa and the Middle East
• Need to balance the rights of various stakeholder groups against each other
• Respond to increasing pressure to integrate ESG into business strategy 
• Growing pressure from stakeholders for greater transparency and disclosure
• Evolving ESG international standards developments  
• Interdependencies between public and private sector 
• Management of customer and stakeholder expectations across all 19 markets and aligning them to MTN’s strategy, objectives, and plans 
• Need to continuously innovate the way business is conducted
• Dynamic and fast changing organisational requirements

Setting Strategic Direction for Responsible Supply Chains:

• Develop and communicate MTN’s global supply chain sustainability strategy, ensuring it aligns with the broader corporate sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals.
• Work closely with senior leadership and local teams in MTN’s operating countries to ensure that sustainability objectives are well understood, actionable, and aligned with local supply chain practices and priorities.
• Provide strategic guidance to MTN’s local operations to embed sustainable and ethical sourcing practices tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of each market working closely with Global Supply Chain and Souring team.
• Continuously assess the sustainability landscape in different countries, incorporating local context (e.g., regulatory, social, and environmental factors) into MTN’s responsible supply chain strategies.

Supplier Engagement & Alignment with Sustainability Commitments:

• Lead efforts to engage MTN’s suppliers at a global level, ensuring they understand and align with MTN’s sustainability commitments, including reducing carbon emissions, promoting gender equality, ensuring responsible labor practices, and ethical sourcing.
• Develop and implement supplier engagement programs to support the alignment of their sustainability strategies with MTN’s core ESG goals, fostering shared responsibility in achieving MTN’s sustainability targets.
• Collaborate with suppliers to create action plans for improving sustainability within their operations, helping them meet MTN’s expectations for ethical, social, and environmental practices.
• Ensure the integration of sustainability performance indicators in supplier contracts and oversee regular assessments of supplier performance against these metrics.

Global Supply Chain Policy Development & Compliance:

• Drive the development and implementation of policies, guidelines, and standards for responsible sourcing and supply chain sustainability across MTN’s global operations.
• Ensure that MTN’s supply chain practices comply with local and international sustainability standards, laws, and regulations, including those related to human rights, environmental protection, and fair trade.
• Collaborate with MTN’s legal and compliance teams to ensure that MTN’s suppliers adhere to the company’s ethical sourcing policies and sustainability commitments.
• Establish robust supplier audits and assessments to verify adherence to sustainability standards, identifying any risks or gaps and driving improvements where necessary.

Building Cross-functional Collaboration Across Countries and Departments:

• Work closely with key internal stakeholders, including procurement, operations, legal, finance, and sustainability teams, to embed sustainability principles into all stages of the supply chain from sourcing to delivery.
• Develop frameworks for ensuring that sustainability objectives are consistently communicated and achieved across MTN’s global supply chain, regardless of geographical location or market conditions.
• Guide local operations teams in different countries on how to implement and execute MTN’s responsible supply chain strategies, while also accommodating for regional variations in supply chain structures and challenges.
• Lead regular training and knowledge-sharing sessions for internal teams and local supply chain leaders to ensure alignment with global sustainability goals and to build the necessary capacity for driving sustainable change.

Risk Management, Performance Measurement & Reporting:

• Identify, assess, and mitigate ESG risks within the supply chain, including environmental, social, and governance risks, by implementing proactive risk management strategies.
• Develop and maintain a robust system for monitoring, measuring, and reporting on supplier sustainability performance, ensuring alignment with MTN’s overall sustainability targets.
• Regularly track supplier performance against agreed sustainability KPIs, identifying areas for improvement and working closely with suppliers to address deficiencies.
• Produce and present detailed reports to senior leadership and other key stakeholders, showcasing progress in supplier sustainability alignment and identifying key risks and opportunities.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement:

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within MTN’s supply chain by encouraging innovation in sustainability practices, technologies, and processes.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in sustainability, including new technologies and industry best practices, and drive their integration into MTN’s supply chain.
• Lead the development of new programs and initiatives that enhance sustainability within the supply chain, such as carbon footprint reduction, waste minimization, and the promotion of circular economy principles.
• Work closely with suppliers to encourage the adoption of sustainable technologies and practices, leveraging MTN’s scale and influence to drive broader industry change.

Training, Capacity Building & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Develop and implement training programs for both MTN employees and suppliers to enhance their understanding of responsible supply chain practices, sustainability challenges, and MTN’s commitments.
• Foster relationships with key stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, industry groups, and sustainability organizations, to stay informed about policy changes, best practices, and new opportunities for collaboration.
• Act as an advocate for MTN’s supply chain sustainability efforts, representing the company in external forums and building the MTN brand as a leader in responsible sourcing.

Celebrating Milestones & Recognizing Supplier Contributions:

• Regularly celebrate milestones and successes within MTN’s supply chain sustainability journey, highlighting supplier achievements and contributions to the company’s overall ESG goals.
• Create recognition programs to incentivize suppliers to continuously improve their sustainability performance and to demonstrate MTN’s commitment to partnership and collaboration.

Education:

• Minimum 4 year degree/Postgraduate in Supply Chain Management, Environmental Science, Business Administration, or related field. 
• A Master’s degree or relevant certifications in sustainability, ESG, or responsible sourcing is highly desirable. 
• Relevant certification / accreditation / membership with professional body as required for role.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 – 8 years of experience in supply chain management with a focus on sustainability, responsible sourcing, or ESG.
• Demonstrated experience in leading global supply chain sustainability initiatives, with a proven track record of engaging and aligning suppliers with corporate sustainability commitments.
• Extensive experience in working with suppliers across diverse geographies, including developing markets, to promote ethical sourcing and responsible supply chain practices.
• Strong understanding of global sustainability frameworks (e.g., UN Global Compact, ISO 14001, GRI), environmental regulations, and industry standards related to supply chain sustainability.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strong strategic thinking and ability to align global supply chain operations with broader sustainability goals and corporate strategy.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels, from senior management to suppliers.
• Ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects and collaborate effectively with teams across different countries and departments.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess risks, monitor supplier performance, and drive data-driven decision-making.
• Deep understanding of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles as they relate to supply chain management.
• Ability to influence and drive change within both internal teams and external suppliers, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Key Attributes:

• Visionary Leader: Able to develop and articulate a clear, compelling strategy for responsible supply chain practices that aligns with MTN’s sustainability goals.
• Collaborative Change Agent: Skilled in working with diverse teams across different countries, guiding them towards common sustainability objectives.
• Results-Oriented: Focused on delivering measurable outcomes in responsible sourcing, supplier engagement, and supply chain sustainability performance.
• Innovative & Adaptive: Comfortable navigating a rapidly changing sustainability landscape and promoting the adoption of new practices, technologies, and ideas.

Other:

• Regional and international travel may be required
• Fluent in English. Ability to communicate in French and other African languages would be advantageous

Responsibility towards: 

• Key customers: Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, General Manager: Sustainability & Shared Value, Global Sourcing and Supply Chain. Opco CEOs, Opco Head of Corporate Services and Sustainability representatives, Group Functions, and business areas, and MTN’s other stakeholders.
• Key suppliers: Sustainability Consulting Firms, Environmental Agencies, Reporting Firms, UN and formally registered Bodies, Global Responsible Supply Chain organisations and Research Agencies.