Operations Manager

Basmeh & Zeitooneh is a registered Lebanese organization, committed to serving refugees and vulnerable communities in Lebanon, through seven community centers across the country. The organization runs educational, relief, livelihoods, and protection programs, and aims to serve as an inclusive and supportive focal point for the entire community.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation, abuse, child abuse, fraud, bribery, and corrupt activities.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh (B&Z) is committed to maintaining the security, confidentiality, and privacy of your personal information.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh is committed to safeguarding the well-being of children and upholding the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Basmeh & Zeitooneh maintains a zero-tolerance policy on child abuse.

Reports To : 

Direct Manager: Country Director

Technical Manager: Chief Support Services Officer

Job Purpose: The Operations Manager is responsible for supervising the procurement and logistic unit and overseeing the warehouses, all logistics and procurement for projects and centers, center and staff security and contingency plans, needs assessments and context updates, emergency distributions, follow-up with organizations, local governance and stakeholders and entities on the field at all Basmeh & Zeitooneh’s locations in Lebanon through by managing center coordinators to ensure smooth operation of supply & distribution of goods & services and the safe community-based approach and field collaborations at B&Z Lebanon.

Major Activities :

• Directing, optimizing, and coordinating the full order cycle through the center coordinators and their logistics teams
• Implement a sustainable and robust procurement and logistics system for efficient and effective logistical and procurement support for all B&Z programs.
• Strategically plan and manage logistics, warehouse, transportation/Fleet, and customer services through the center coordinators and their logistics teams
• Supervise, coach, and train Logistics & Procurement staff and center coordinators
• Update policies or procedures for Logistics & Procurement activities
• Where relevant identify and introduce new procurement procedures and strengthen current practices to ensure the efficient, timely, and compliant supply of all items.
• Participate in internal strategic and planning meetings when required.
• Represent B&Z to bidders, potential suppliers, other NGOs, and donors where necessary.
• Develop relevant management procedures within the team; Improve information flows within the unit and with other departments and projects.
• Ensure an adequate logistics human resources structure is in place, clearly identifying roles and responsibilities, tasks, and work plans.
• Provide recommendations and technical support to field offices for recruitment, including drafting ToRs.
• Ensuring a comprehensive nationwide needs assessment with center coordinators
• Ensure communication and collaboration with on-field external entities and governance.
• Ensure security and safety procedures and contingency plans are in place in all our centers in direct coordination with the center coordinators and core teams.
• Overseeing and supervising emergency distributions that the center coordinators lead.
• Attending country-level meetings and participating and program/project developments and designs by sharing insight and context.
• With the center coordinators, creating center physical attendance plans to always ensure their and the beneficiaries’ safety.
• Making decisions with center coordinators on closing or opening centers in cases of civil unrest and road blockages.
• Ensuring weekly and monthly updates on area contexts.
• Reporting to the Country Director and CSSO monthly.
• Identify the needs and ensure training and capacity building for logistics and procurement team members to increase the level of technical ability and skills within the department
• Organize and provide basic sensitization meetings/training in procurement/logistics and operational matters (admin and security) according to the needs.
• Ensuring monthly contextual updates on areas of operations
• Update the Safety and security SOPS along with contingency plans
• Consolidating needs assessments done in each area in one national assessment regularly (every 3 to 6 months depending on the context)
• Provide specific training for the staff when needed.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels across all centers to avoid shortages and ensure readiness for both regular operations and emergency responses.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, suppliers, and other external stakeholders to facilitate smooth procurement and logistics processes, particularly in emergency contexts.
• Establish a system for tracking and reporting key performance indicators (KPIs) for logistics, procurement, and center operations to ensure ongoing evaluation and improvement.
• Coordinate with the finance team to ensure budget alignment and cost control in all procurement and logistics activities, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
• Create contingency plans for logistical challenges, such as supply chain disruptions or transportation blockages, ensuring preparedness for various scenarios.
• Facilitate cross-functional coordination with program teams to align logistics and procurement with programmatic needs, ensuring that the logistics function is responsive to project requirements.
• Develop a risk management strategy for logistics and procurement activities to minimize operational disruptions and ensure compliance with donor and regulatory requirements.

People Management :

• Identify the needs and ensure training and capacity building for logistics and procurement team members to increase the level of technical ability and skills within the department
• Organize and provide basic sensitization meetings/trainings in procurement/logistics according to the needs.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, Logistics or Supply Chain, or any related field. Masters is a plus
• At least 5 years of experience in operations management, logistics, or procurement, ideally within an NGO.
• Prior experience managing multi-site operations and working in emergency settings (e.g., conflict zones, humanitarian crises) is required.

Competencies:

Functional:

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of supply chain management
• Substantial experience in all technical areas of logistics operations including procurement, transport/distribution, warehousing and stock management, fleet management, asset management, communications, and security
• Experience in developing/implementing a complex supply chain to support different types of programs, and coordinating resources to meet the program objectives.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent budget management skills and familiarity with donor regulations.
• Strong security management experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and operational software tools.
• Fluent in Arabic and English (French is a plus).
• Problem-solving and adaptability in a complex, high-pressure environment.

Behavioral:

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving solving, and organizational skills
• Demonstrable ability to lead and manage staff
• Outstanding project and time management skills
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational skills.
• Able to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Culturally sensitive and capable of managing diverse teams across Lebanon.
• Committed to upholding humanitarian principles and safeguarding policies.