Global Operations Manager (Maternity Cover)
Better Cotton Initiative
Apply by: 01 Jul 2026
Administration, HR, Management, Accounting/Finance
Global Operations Manager (Maternity Cover)
Starting Date: August/Sept 2026
Contract type: Full-time, Fixed term, Maternity Cover (11 months)
Salary: CHF 99,918 or GBP £62,707
Location: Geneva or London (Hybrid)
Application closing date: 1st July 2026
The role supports staff in all our countries of operations to deliver their objectives thanks to efficient, streamlined and automated processes, enabling all to focus on their mission. To this aim, the Global Operations Manager leads the smooth delivery of internal systems, processes, tools and policies linked to Procurement, Travel, and Offices' management and other cross‑functional workstreams – to ensure organisational efficiency, value for money and risk mitigation.
The Challenge
Looking ahead to 2030, we are targeting reducing GHG emissions from cotton production by half, big cuts in synthetic pesticide use, improving soil health across our network, improving farm income and supporting women's empowerment among farmers and farm workers.
Responsibilities
* Oversee the Global Operations team and the delivery of our yearly objectives.
* Develop and successfully manage the organisation's overheads and core Operations team management budgets (Global) to deliver our objectives.
* Oversee that regular outreach and training sessions are delivered to staff, that queries are handled effectively and that recurring ones inform the prioritisation of improvements.
* Drive adoption and adherence to Operations processes (at least 80% compliance) to mitigate organisation risks and ensure value for money.
* Monitor and report on Operations outputs and Operations-led returns on investment for the organisation.
* Act as the organisation's steward for Procurement and Travel, ensuring these workstreams operate reliably on a day‑to‑day basis while progressively evolving to meet the organisation's growing scale, risk profile and digital maturity.
* Provide strategic and operational leadership for the review, optimisation and digitalisation of Procurement and Travel processes, ensuring improvements are realistic, sustainable and embedded into everyday ways of working.
* Oversee the selection and implementation of an end‑to‑end Procurement solution (RFX, P2P and CLM) to avoid disruption to BAU operations by ensuring appropriate resourcing and change management initiatives are in place (Project Acordo).
* Lead the incremental improvement of Travel processes, including piloting enhancements (e.g. pre‑paid payment solutions), to enhance duty of care, reduce administrative burden and provide a simpler, more secure travel experience for staff.
* Provide organisational stewardship for office effectiveness and local operations, ensuring consistent standards, safe working conditions and dependable support for staff working in offices and travelling regularly across locations.
* Oversee the office risk assessment framework, ensuring Health & Safety requirements are defined, validated, and progressively deployed across locations, with appropriate training and budget provisions in place.
* Lead, coach, and develop a team of 8 staff members (including 5 direct reports) to ensure high performance and engagement.
* Provide functional/technical guidance to Operations representatives in Pakistan, India and Uzbekistan (3 staff members) to ensure consistency and alignment with Global Operations.
Technical Competencies
* Oversee end‑to‑end procurement activities (RFX, P2P, CLM), ensuring transparency, compliance, and value for money while mitigating organisational risk.
* Use organisational tools (e.g. Microsoft suite tools, DocuSign, Procurement tool, etc.) to automate workflows, improve visibility, and support data‑driven decision‑making.
* Plan, manage, and monitor the Global Operations budget, ensuring alignment with OKRs and minimal variance between budget and actuals.
* Identify and mitigate operational, financial, and safety risks stemming from Procurement, Travel and Office premises activities through policies, insurance coverage, contracts, and adherence to internal controls.
Experience
Essential
* Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
* At least 8 years' experience in global operations, procurement, travel management, and office or facilities management, including responsibility for multi‑country processes, supplier management, budgets, and risk mitigation.
* Proven track record of process optimisation, digitalisation, and change management, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, compliance, and cost control.
* Experience working in international, multicultural, and mission‑driven organisations, with sensitivity to diverse operational contexts.
* Professional certifications in Procurement, Project Management (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, Agile), Operations, or Risk Management are desirable but not required.
* Fluency in English is required.
* French preferred for working with Geneva‑based partners and suppliers (desirable).
#J-18808-Ljbffr