ESC-APU TEAM LEAD (ORDER)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. As a non-profit, self-governed movement of over 63,000 dedicated professionals, we provide life-saving medical assistance to people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and exclusion from healthcare. 

Our work is guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality. We act based on need, and when we witness injustice, we speak out. Our commitment to professionalism and humanity can mean the difference between life and death. 

  

People are our priority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, ethnic background, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they intersect together.  

 

With immediate effect, MSF OCA is looking for an: 

Team Lead Order team ESC-APU 

(Based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands) 

 

The Logistics Department provides logistics and technical support to the MSF OCA medical humanitarian programs conducted in the various project countries. The department consists of several units, including the European Supply Center - Amsterdam Procurement Unit (ESC-APU). This unit is responsible for sourcing, procurement, and processing orders for supplies from 26 project countries in accordance with agreed Service Level Agreements. 

Objective 

In this role, you are responsible for providing clear leadership to the ESC-APU Order team, coordinating day-to-day operations, managing supplier performance, and driving process improvements so that medical and non-medical supplies are delivered efficiently and in line with operational priorities. You will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, suppliers, and country program teams. MSF’s regular and emergency operations need a different approach and focus, meaning you and your team need to adapt to these changing operational realities. 

Furthermore, the role is part of the Logistics Department (LT) management team and the ESC-APU coordination team and is expected to give input into strategic supply topics and the way of working within ESC-APU to bring it to a higher level. You will also be leading project(s) resulting from the OCA Supply Strategy. 

Main responsibilities 

Lead, coach, and support a high-performing team, foster collaboration, engagement, accountability, and a safe working environment. 

Coordinate and anticipate daily activities, set priorities, and balance workloads to ensure efficient service delivery. 

Coordinate emergency response activities and set priorities to ensure timely service delivery. 

Support team members in resolving complex operational issues and encourage continuous learning and improvement. 

Oversee order fulfilment activities and supplier/LSP performance to ensure timely and accurate delivery of goods to MSF country programs. 

Monitor team performance against agreed service levels, quality standards, and key performance indicators (KPIs), taking corrective action where required. 

Ensure that complaints, invoices, and operational issues are managed within agreed timeframes. 

Analyze operational performance and identify opportunities to improve, simplify, and standardize processes. 

Ensure policies, procedures, work instructions, and Service Level Agreements remain up to date and are consistently applied. 

 

Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the team. 

Build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, suppliers, and country programs to support effective information exchange and problem solving. 

Work closely with the Team Lead Transport Team and Coordinator Tactical Procurement & Stock Management Teams on shared operational priorities, including import constraints, emergency responses, and supply chain challenges. 

Contribute to coordinated responses during humanitarian emergencies, ensuring procurement activities effectively support operational needs. 

  

Candidate profile 

We are looking for a motivated people manager who combines operational expertise with a collaborative leadership style and a commitment to continuous improvement. 

You bring: 

A minimum of four years' experience in logistics or supply chain operations, preferably within a GDP or comparable regulated environment. 

At least two years' experience leading and developing teams. 

Demonstrated experience in order fulfilment and supplier management. 

Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage competing priorities. 

A solution-oriented mindset and the ability to make informed decisions in a dynamic operational environment. 

Experience building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

Fluency in English; Dutch is an advantage. 

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or another relevant field. 

Hands-on leadership experience in supply chain operations. 

Experience with MSF supply chain processes is highly valued. 

Knowledge of humanitarian logistics is an advantage. 

 

Core Competencies:  

Results and Quality Orientation   

Decisiveness   

People Management   

Collaboration   

Problem Analysis   

 

We offer;

a Dutch employment contract, based on 40 hours per week, with a preferred start date of 1 October 2026. The contract is for one year with the intention of renewal based on performance. This is a permanent position.  A gross monthly salary in scale 16 with a gross monthly salary between € 4,269 and € 5,877. The exact salary will depend on the relevant work experience. 

 

Other benefits include:   

30 paid vacation days annually pro-rata  

A competitive pension scheme   

8% holiday allowance, paid out with the salary once a year in May pro-rata  

Commuting allowance (terms and conditions apply) & working from home allowance   

L&D will support you with a variety of learning and development opportunities with internal and external trainings and courses   

Discounted daily lunch at the office   

An environment that fosters diversity, with colleagues from around the world representing various cultures and background  

 

To foster a healthy work-life balance we work with a remote working policy where you can work 40% of your weekly hours from home, 60% working in person in the office. Coming together at our office in Amsterdam allows us to have informal exchanges and chance encounters, share ideas more freely and solve challenges together in real-time. 

 

Application 

If you are motivated by leading people, improving supply chain performance, and ensuring critical medical supplies reach humanitarian programs around the world, we would love to hear from you. 

Please upload one combined document containing your motivation letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English. (Only applications that include a motivation letter will be considered) 

Selection will be by means of one or two interview rounds, in addition a test/assignment/assessment might be part of the process. The closing date for applications is Sunday 16th August 2026, 23:59 CET. 

Information 

Are you interested in the position and do you want further information about the position? Please contact the Head of ESC-APU, Suzanne Stové -Michels, Suzanne.Stove-Michels@amsterdam.msf.org. 

If you are interested in this post and would like additional information about the recruitment procedure, the terms and conditions or the organization, please contact recruiter imad.al-fadel@amman.msf.org  

 

No agencies please