SUPPLY CHAIN DIRECTOR | Healthcare

The Supply Chain Director is the senior executive accountable for all procurement, inventory, warehousing, logistics, and vendor management activities at HAQA Hospital. During the pre-opening phase the role carries additional executive responsibility for establishing the entire supply chain function from zero: contracting with Algerian and international suppliers, configuring the SAP Materials Management module, securing the initial equipment and consumable inventory required for regulatory inspection and opening-day operations, and integrating supply chain workflows into the hospital's ORAT commissioning program. Post-opening, the role drives cost efficiency, supply continuity, and compliance across all clinical and non-clinical departments.

2.  SCOPE AND CONTEXT

HAQA Hospital is a 300-bed greenfield tertiary hospital in Sidi Abdellah, Algiers, targeting a mid-2027 opening under a Construction and Management Agreement between the Algerian Ministry of Health and Elegancia Healthcare (Estithmar Holding, Qatar). The Supply Chain Director joins during the pre-operations phase and must build a function that does not yet exist - supplier base, contracts, policies, processes, technology configuration, and a trained team - before the first patient arrives.

The role operates in a complex supply chain environment because:

• Algeria's import regime imposes specific rules on medical device and pharmaceutical importation, requiring AAPI investment registration alignment and Préférence Nationale compliance (Décret 15-247, Art. 83 / Loi 23-12).

• The hospital must maintain dual supplier strategies (international + local) to satisfy Algerian regulatory requirements while maintaining clinical quality standards.

• Nine contractually mandated niche clinical services (cardiac surgery, transplantation, Gamma Knife, neuroradiology, BMT, spinal surgery, ortho-oncology, rehabilitation) require highly specialized consumables, implants, and equipment that are not commercially available in Algeria and must be imported under specific customs procedures.

• BEA financing and AAPI investment registration create specific obligations around equipment sourcing, import duty management, and asset capitalization that the Supply Chain Director must navigate in coordination with the CFO.

• The hospital targets JCI accreditation, which requires documented supply chain controls for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and sterile goods.

3.  KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

3.1  Pre-Operations: Supply Chain Function Build-Out

The highest-priority accountability during the pre-opening phase. The Supply Chain Director must:

• Develop the HAQA Supply Chain Strategy document aligned to the Target Operating Model (TOM) and approved by the CEO before opening.

• Design and implement all supply chain policies, procedures, and governance frameworks (procurement authority matrix, vendor qualification, contract management, inventory control, returns management).

• Lead the SAP MM (Materials Management) module configuration in coordination with the IT/ERP team: chart of accounts alignment, material master setup, vendor master, purchase order workflows, and warehouse management.

• Establish the hospital's approved vendor list (AVL) - qualifying both international and Algerian suppliers for all product categories including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, surgical consumables, capital equipment, facilities management, catering, linen, and security.

• Execute all pre-opening procurement contracts: capital equipment, furniture, IT hardware, medical consumables, and services required for ORAT readiness.

• Ensure the hospital's opening-day inventory is in place, stored correctly, and fully documented for MoH regulatory inspection.

• Participate in the ORAT readiness scorecard reporting to the CEO - supply chain readiness is a go/no-go gate criterion.

3.2  Procurement Strategy and Vendor Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy covering all spend categories, balancing quality, cost, lead time, and Algerian regulatory compliance.

• Lead strategic sourcing and contract negotiation for all major spend categories - medical devices, pharmaceuticals, capital equipment, facilities management, food services, linen, and security.

• Establish and maintain the Approved Vendor List; conduct annual vendor qualification reviews and performance assessments against agreed KPIs.

• Implement a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) framework for all major procurement decisions, presenting business cases to the CEO and CFO for Board-level approvals per the Delegation of Authority matrix.

• Manage all supplier contracts through their full lifecycle: negotiation, execution, performance monitoring, renewal, and termination.

• Drive annual cost reduction targets through competitive tendering, volume consolidation, and renegotiation.

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with Algerian public procurement principles where applicable, AAPI investment conditions, and Préférence Nationale regulations.

3.3  Niche Service Supply Chain - Specialized Procurement

The nine contractually mandated niche services require dedicated supply chain planning. The Supply Chain Director must:

Niche Service

Key Supply Chain Requirement

Regulatory / Import Consideration

Cardiac & Vascular Surgery

Cardiac implants, stents, perfusion consumables, cath lab disposables

Class III medical devices - requires ANDPME/importation authorization

Pediatric & Adult BMT

Stem cell processing reagents, apheresis consumables, HEPA-filtered sterile supplies

Cold chain management; controlled substances protocols

Pediatric Liver Transplantation

Organ preservation solutions, immunosuppressants, surgical disposables

Pharmaceutical importation license required; cold chain critical

Gamma Knife / Neurosurgery

Cobalt source management, stereotactic accessories, neurosurgical implants

Nuclear material handling - requires COMENA authorization

Neuroradiology - Embolization

Embolic agents, microcatheters, contrast media, angio suite consumables

Class III devices - single-use only; no reprocessing

Scoliosis / Spinal Deformity

Spinal fixation systems, rods, screws, interbody cages, neuromonitoring disposables

Consignment stock model with implant suppliers

Bone Tumor / Ortho-Oncology

Custom prostheses, bone cement, oncological surgical kits

Long lead time; custom manufacturing may apply

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Pediatric-specific perfusion lines, miniaturized implants, PICU consumables

Pediatric-specific sizing - limited Algerian availability

Rehab / Physical Medicine

Rehabilitation equipment consumables, orthotics, prosthetics

Local supplier development opportunity

• For each niche service, establish a dedicated supply chain plan covering: supplier identification, importation pathway, customs clearance strategy, storage requirements, and minimum stock level.

• Implement consignment stock agreements for high-value implantables (cardiac, spinal, orthopaedic) to optimize working capital.

• Coordinate with the CMO and department heads to validate clinical specifications before supplier contracting.

3.4  Inventory Management and Warehouse Operations

• Design and operationalize the hospital's central warehouse, pharmacy store, sterile stores, and department-level satellite stores.

• Implement demand forecasting and par-level management for all clinical and non-clinical consumables.

• Establish cold chain management protocols for pharmaceuticals, blood products, and biological materials - compliant with Algerian pharmaceutical storage regulations.

• Define and enforce stock rotation (FEFO/FIFO), expiry management, and wastage reduction programs.

• Maintain inventory accuracy at ≥ 98% through cycle counts, periodic audits, and SAP MM reconciliation.

• Develop a pharmaceutical inventory management system in coordination with the Chief Pharmacist, ensuring compliance with Algerian narcotic and controlled substance regulations.

• Build the hospital's Business Continuity inventory: minimum 30-day strategic stock of critical consumables and pharmaceuticals from Day 1 of operations.

3.5  Algerian Regulatory Compliance and Import Management

• Navigate and manage all Algerian importation regulations applicable to medical devices, pharmaceuticals, capital equipment, and consumables.

• Maintain alignment with AAPI investment registration conditions - ensure imported equipment and materials are consistent with the approved equipment list to preserve import duty advantages under Law 22-18.

• Ensure Préférence Nationale compliance (Loi 23-12 / Décret 15-247 Art. 83): document local sourcing analysis for all procurement decisions; maintain records for regulatory audit.

• Manage customs clearance processes - coordinate with freight forwarders, the AAPI, and customs authorities to minimize lead times and duty costs.

• Liaise with the Direction de Wilaya de Santé and ANDPME on product registration and importation authorizations for medical devices.

• Maintain a Regulatory Compliance Register for all imported product categories, updated quarterly.

3.6  Logistics, Distribution, and Transport

• Manage all inbound logistics from international and local suppliers: freight, customs, last-mile delivery to the hospital.

• Oversee the hospital's internal logistics operations: inter-departmental distribution, linen management, waste management coordination, and sterile supply chain.

• Develop a fleet management strategy (buy vs. lease analysis completed - coordinate implementation with CFO per approved model).

• Implement track-and-trace capabilities for high-value, temperature-sensitive, and controlled shipments.

• Manage third-party logistics providers - define SLAs, monitor performance, and conduct quarterly reviews.

3.7  Technology, Data, and Reporting

• Own the SAP MM module as the system of record for all procurement and inventory transactions; ensure data integrity and user adoption.

• Define and monitor supply chain KPIs - procurement cycle time, inventory turnover, fill rate, supplier on-time delivery, cost per procedure - reported monthly to CEO and CFO.

• Implement e-procurement tools for high-frequency, low-value procurement to reduce administrative burden.

• Develop a Supply Chain Dashboard for executive reporting, covering spend analytics, vendor performance, inventory health, and savings tracking.

• Leverage AI-assisted demand forecasting tools where available to optimize stock levels and reduce wastage.

3.8  Team Leadership and Algerian Talent Development

• Build, lead, and develop the Supply Chain team from initial hire through operational maturity.

• Define team structure, role profiles, and grading for all supply chain positions, aligned to the HAQA Grading Framework.

• Establish a knowledge transfer plan ensuring Algerian supply chain professionals are progressively developed to take on leadership roles within the function.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, compliance, and cost consciousness within the team.

• Represent the supply chain function in the HAQA Executive Committee and cross-functional workstreams.

4.  QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Category

Requirement

Education - Primary

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or Engineering from an accredited institution

Education - Preferred

Master's degree (MBA, MSc Supply Chain, or equivalent) is strongly preferred for this role given the strategic complexity

Professional Certification

CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply), APICS CSCP, or equivalent supply chain certification is advantageous

Total Experience

Minimum 12 years in supply chain, procurement, or logistics roles

Senior Leadership Experience

Minimum 5 years in a senior supply chain leadership role (Director, Head of Supply Chain) in a complex organization

Healthcare Supply Chain

Minimum 5 years in a hospital or healthcare organization supply chain - non-negotiable; general commercial supply chain alone is insufficient for this role

Greenfield / Pre-opening Experience

Demonstrated experience setting up a supply chain function from scratch in a new hospital, facility, or business unit is strongly preferred

SAP MM Experience

Hands-on SAP MM configuration and user experience is required; must be able to lead the ERP supply chain module implementation

Medical Device / Pharmaceutical Procurement

Direct experience procuring Class II/III medical devices, implantables, and/or pharmaceuticals including importation management

GCC / MENA Experience

Minimum 3 years in GCC or MENA region preferred; Algeria or North Africa experience is an asset given importation regulatory complexity

Algerian Regulatory Knowledge

Working knowledge of Algerian importation regulations, customs procedures, AAPI, and Préférence Nationale requirements (or demonstrated ability to acquire quickly)

Languages

Arabic and/or French essential for vendor and regulatory engagement; English required for international supplier management and executive reporting

5.  LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Competency

Definition

Level

Strategic Procurement Leadership

Develops and executes category strategies that balance quality, cost, supply security, and regulatory compliance across a complex tertiary hospital

Expert

Materials and Inventory Management

Designs and operates inventory systems that maintain service levels while minimizing working capital and wastage

Expert

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Applies TCO methodology to all major procurement decisions; quantifies and presents cost-benefit cases to executives and Board

Expert

Risk Management

Identifies supply chain disruption risks, single-source dependencies, and regulatory risks; develops and maintains mitigation plans

Expert

Build Process and Systems

Designs supply chain workflows, governance frameworks, and technology configurations from a blank page

Expert

E-Procurement and Digital Tools

Implements and operates e-procurement platforms, ERP MM modules, and analytics tools to drive efficiency and visibility

High

Vendor Relationship Management

Builds strategic supplier partnerships while maintaining competitive tension and contractual discipline

Expert

Regulatory Compliance

Ensures all procurement activities meet Algerian importation law, AAPI investment conditions, and healthcare product regulations

Expert

Financial Acumen

Understands budget management, capital vs. opex procurement classification, and supply chain's contribution to hospital EBITDA

Proficient

Build High-Performing Teams

Recruits, develops, and retains a supply chain team capable of operating a JCI-compliant tertiary hospital

High

Speed of Execution

Delivers commissioning-phase procurement on compressed timelines without compromising quality or compliance

High

AI Fluency

Applies AI-assisted forecasting, spend analytics, and contract intelligence tools to improve supply chain performance

Proficient

6.  KEY INTERFACES

Interface

Nature of Engagement

CEO (Direct Report)

Strategic supply chain direction; major contract approvals per DOA; ORAT readiness reporting

CFO

Procurement budgets, capital expenditure management, AAPI equipment list compliance, working capital optimization, fleet model implementation

CMO / Department Heads

Clinical specification validation, niche service supply plans, formulary management, medical device selection

Chief Pharmacist

Pharmaceutical supply chain, formulary procurement, cold chain management, controlled substance inventory

COO / Pre-Ops Director

ORAT commissioning supply chain workstream; opening-day inventory readiness; department activation sequencing

CIO / HIT Director

SAP MM configuration and integration, e-procurement tools, inventory system interfaces with HIS

HR Director

Supply chain team structure, grading, recruitment, Algerian counterpart development

Quality & Compliance Director

JCI supply chain standards, vendor qualification audit, medical device traceability, incident-related product recall

EPC Contractor / PMO

Construction-phase equipment procurement coordination; MEP and biomedical equipment commissioning alignment

AAPI / Customs Authorities

Investment registration compliance, equipment importation authorizations, duty management

Ministry of Health / ANDPME

Medical device registration, pharmaceutical importation licenses, product authorization

International Suppliers

Contract negotiation, delivery management, quality assurance, regulatory documentation

Local Algerian Suppliers

Vendor development, Préférence Nationale compliance, capacity building

Board / Shareholder Committee

Quarterly supply chain performance and savings reporting; major contract approval submissions

7.  KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

KPI

Target / Benchmark

Supply chain function build-out - ORAT readiness score

≥ 90% by commissioning go/no-go gate (pre-opening)

Opening-day inventory completeness

100% of critical consumables and pharmaceuticals in stock before MoH licensing inspection

SAP MM go-live

Fully configured and user-trained 3 months before hospital opening

Approved Vendor List - completion

100% of opening-day spend categories covered by qualified vendors before go-live

Procurement cycle time - standard purchase orders

≤ 5 working days from requisition to PO issue post-opening

Inventory accuracy (SAP vs. physical)

≥ 98% at all cycle count events

Supplier on-time delivery rate

≥ 95% of orders delivered on confirmed delivery date

Stock-out incidents for critical clinical items

Zero stock-outs for Category A (life-critical) items in Year 1

Inventory turnover - consumables

12–18x per year (aligned to tertiary hospital benchmark)

Cost savings vs. budget (Year 1)

≥ 5% procurement savings against approved budget through competitive tendering

Préférence Nationale compliance

100% documentation compliance on all applicable procurement categories

AAPI equipment list alignment

Zero discrepancies between imported equipment and AAPI-approved list

Algerian counterpart development

At least one Algerian deputy/senior manager identified and active in the supply chain function within 12 months of opening