Inventory Lead at M-KOPA

You've mastered the mechanics of inventory. Now power financial inclusion at scale.

You know your way around a warehouse. You've optimized stock accuracy, tightened cycle counts, and built teams that execute flawlessly. You're probably even respected for it. But here's the question: when was the last time your inventory work directly enabled someone to start a business, power their home for the first time, or transform their family's economic trajectory?

At M-KOPA, inventory isn't just about moving boxes—it's about moving lives forward.

The scale of what we're building

We've unlocked $2+ billion in credit for 7 million customers across Africa—up from 5 million just last year. 86% of our customers report improved quality of life. 70% use our products to generate income. 55% are accessing products and services for the very first time in their lives.

Behind those numbers is a supply chain that needs to be bulletproof. We've assembled 2 million smartphones in Kenya. We've financed 4,000+ e-motorbikes that save riders $5.62 every single day. We're building the infrastructure for Africa's digital and financial transformation, supported by 2,300+ employees and 35,000 agents.

And we're not slowing down—we're scaling from 7 million to 10 million customers.

Why this timing matters

If you've noticed us advertising multiple roles recently, you're right. This isn't random hiring—it's deliberate infrastructure building. We're in the middle of our most aggressive growth phase, and we're building the operational backbone that will carry us from 7 million to 10 million customers and beyond. You're not joining to maintain what exists. You're joining to build what comes next.

What makes this role different

Most Inventory Lead roles have you managing existing processes in stable environments. This one asks you to build resilience into a supply chain that's scaling 40% year-over-year while supporting life-changing products.

Your typical inventory role: Maintain accuracy in a predictable warehouse environment, report stock levels, manage small teams with established procedures.

This role: Coordinate inventory operations that directly enable financial inclusion for millions. Build reporting frameworks that inform business decisions at the highest level. Lead continuous improvement initiatives that shape how we scale across multiple locations. Your recommendations don't disappear into bureaucracy—they get implemented because getting inventory right means getting products into customers' hands faster.

When you validate a return or optimize stock movement here, you're directly impacting whether a small business owner gets their smartphone on time to start accepting mobile payments, or whether a motorcycle taxi driver gets their e-bike to start earning $5.62 more per day.

Your impact

You'll oversee material movement, stock accuracy, and resupply operations across assigned locations, coordinating between material rooms and work areas while leading a team of inventory associates and officers.

On any given week, you might coordinate cross-location inventory operations ensuring thousands of smartphones and solar products move smoothly from receipt to customer deployment. You'll develop reporting frameworks that give management real-time visibility into inventory accuracy and warehouse performance—data that directly informs our scaling decisions. You'll plan stock movement strategies that anticipate demand spikes when we launch in new territories or introduce new products. You'll lead cycle counts and monthly stock takes that involve coordinating multiple team members, validating complex reconciliations, and ensuring every discrepancy is investigated and resolved.

You'll champion continuous improvement initiatives—implementing 6S methodologies, recommending warehouse layout optimizations, and driving process enhancements that improve efficiency as we scale. When you spot a pattern in returns or defective items, you'll validate the issue, escalate to the right stakeholders, and recommend process improvements that prevent future occurrences. You'll coordinate task allocation for your team, ensuring deadlines are met even during our busiest periods, and provide management with insights and recommendations on warehouse performance, risks, and optimization opportunities.

What we need from you

• Demonstrable progressive experience in inventory and material handling operations, including proven success in a supervisory or team lead capacity where you've coordinated multiple people and improved operational outcomes.

• Established expertise in ERP systems and advanced Excel proficiency, with the ability to build reporting frameworks, analyze stock data, and translate inventory metrics into actionable business insights.

• Strong track record in leading operational improvement initiatives, including experience championing process optimization, implementing quality standards (such as 6S), and driving measurable improvements in accuracy and efficiency.

The reality check

This role is demanding. You'll be managing inventory operations during a period of rapid growth, which means processes evolve, demand fluctuates, and the stakes are high. You'll need to build systems that work today while anticipating what we'll need when we hit 10 million customers. You'll lead a team through constant improvement cycles, and you'll be accountable for accuracy levels that directly impact customer experience.

And you're probably ready for exactly this. If you've been looking for inventory work that actually matters beyond the warehouse walls, this is it.

Ready to turn inventory excellence into economic transformation?

If you're reading this and thinking "I wasn't looking, but this is different enough that I should at least explore it," that's probably the signal you should listen to. Let's talk.

Apply

https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/M-KOPA/dabcecf3-03de-4711-979e-19ac10a0510e?locationId=de0c019d-ff22-48d8-b57c-84444ad6330f&utm_source=jm6xOrdPqm