Job Description
| Position Title | Chinese Market Sourcing Specialist |
| Department | South-East, East Asia and Pacific (SEEAP) Supply Unit |
| Reporting to | SEEAP Supply Unit Manager |
| Job Grade | To be determined |
| Duration | 2 years with possibility of extension |
| Location | Beijing but other locations can be considered |
| Travel Requirements | Approximate 30% time will be spent in attending conferences and suppliers visits in different parts of China. Travel to other MSF regional offices may be required on occasions. |
1. Background
The MSF South East and East Asia-Pacific (SEEAP) partnership was established between the MSF Offices of Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia as a collaboration in the development of MSF’s institutional activities across the South East and East Asia region. This partnership focuses particularly on the opportunities for diversifying MSF’s revenue and intake of professional staff in new South East and East Asia markets. It also proposed a new business model of development, relying strongly on the existing knowledge, experience, and resources of the existing SEEAP Sections. By tapping into this regional capacity, the SEEAP Partnership intends to identify meaningful at scale contributions to Operations that can be best secured and serviced from this region because of the comparative advantage that offers.
To this end MSF is now setting up a SEEAP Supply Unit with a primary goal to identify qualified and competitive suppliers of medical items (i.e. drugs, medical consumables and medical devices) in the South East and East Asia region for the Movement. MSF also aims to reduce our impact on carbon footprint by validating suppliers in various geographical locations and thus enabling a more flexible and efficient delivery model. This Unit and its supply services aim to be fully integrated into MSF’s existing Supply community set up.
2. Objectives of the Position
The Chinese Market Sourcing Specialist focuses in exploring, identifying and building relationships with suppliers in China, to enable sourcing from the region and contribute to the diversification of medical item suppliers of MSF. The Chinese Market Sourcing Specialist will also provide local market intelligence to the MSF supply community. The overall objectives are to reduce risk of shortage and to reduce procurement costs without compromising product quality.
3. Tasks and Responsibilities
- Understand the needs and sourcing requests from MSF European Supply Centres and operations
- Organize market research in China based on needs and requests
- Conduct analysis and make proposal of Chinese suppliers that meet MSF criteria and needs
- Support in supplier validation activities in terms of quality, commercial, ethics and sustainability aspects (e.g. collection of information, site visit)
- Support to ESC procurement department in negotiation and contract management
- Coordinate procurement through traders/distributors if needed
- Support in communication with, and the management of, supplier relationships
- Maintain and update a database of Chinese suppliers and their corresponding product portfolio
- Develop market intelligence, updates, trends and knowledge on regulations related to Chinese medical industry in order to promptly identify any risk and opportunity in the Chinese medical market
- Connect with relevant associations and organizations (e.g. Chamber of Commerce)
- Attend relevant conference and exhibition to explore qualified suppliers, build supply network and follow China supply market trends
- Support European Supply Centres with the facilitation of logistics and transportation negotiations if and when required
- Identify enablers for securing a sustainable sourcing and supply situation from Chinese suppliers, and provide recommendations
4. Qualifications and Requirements
Essential criteria
- Bachelor degree (preferably medical-related or in business administration or supply chain management) or higher
- Professional experience of minimum 3 years of sourcing (preferably of medical items and on behalf of an international organization) in China
- Fluent in Mandarin and English
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office environment
- Autonomous, proactive, organized and attentive to details
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
- Commitment to MSF values
Desirable criteria
- Pharmacist qualification and background
- Experience working in remote models of operation
- Prior experience with MSF or an equivalent INGO
- Strong network in the Chinese medical manufacturing field
5. Expected Start Date
The position is expected to start from late November 2021 (exact date depends on recruitment process and to be negotiated).
6. Application Procedures
If you are interested in this position, please kindly send the following materials in English to our recruitment email address - [email protected] :
- CV (preferably with references of previous employers/ clients);
- Certifications;
- Motivation letter
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
