Program Operations Manager

Title: Program Operations Manager, Fiscal Marking/Tax Stamp 

Work Location: Accra, Ghana

Division & Department: Program Operations Management 

Position Reports to: Director Program Operations Management 

COMPANY VALUES

All Authentix employees are expected to embrace our Company values in the performance of their respective tasks and duties.

Always with integrity.......Authenticians:

• Dedicate ourselves to our customer’s success.
• Compete and win with integrity.
• Create innovative solutions with science and technology; and
• Team and collaborate with accountability.

JOB SUMMARY 

The Program Operations Manager, Fiscal Marking/Tax Stamp, will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of designated tax stamp and fiscal marking programs on behalf of Authentix, including the secure supply, issuance, application and verification of tax stamps on excisable goods such as tobacco, alcoholic beverages and other designated products. 

The Program Operations Manager will interface on a daily basis with our Prime Contractor and/or Client, including the national tax and customs authorities, as required and will be responsible for maintaining client satisfaction by ensuring that contractual obligations are met. They are also responsible for program updates to the POM and PMO group based in the UK and US, as well as assisting in specific Authentix projects. The position will require travel within the region, including visits to manufacturer, importer and border sites, and occasional international travel for training or support purposes.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed below are representative of the functions that must be performed in order to satisfactorily fulfill the purpose of this job. Additional functions and duties may be assumed or assigned from time to time. 

• Manage day-to-day relationships with the consortium, the client (including the tax and customs authorities), local partners, and registered manufacturers and importers by building and maintaining good working relationships through regular communication with key stakeholders.
• Ensure regular field audits and market surveillance inspections are conducted at manufacturing sites, warehouses, points of entry and retail outlets to collect and report key compliance data for internal and external use.
• Manage and coordinate implementation activities as the tax stamp program onboards new manufacturers, importers and product categories, including the installation and commissioning of stamp application equipment.
• Organize, manage and control the Authentix Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing stamp ordering, secure storage, issuance, application, activation and reconciliation.
• Monitor and analyze stamp issuance, activation, application and verification data on a daily basis, investigating discrepancies, losses, and suspected counterfeiting or diversion.
• Oversee secure logistics and chain of custody for tax stamps, including inventory control, secure warehousing, distribution to manufacturers and importers, and the controlled destruction of spoiled or returned stamps.
• Manage and provide training to applicable personnel, including subcontractors, partners, manufacturers, importers, tax and customs inspectors, and enforcement agents.
• Establish and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), including stamp volumes, revenue assurance metrics, compliance rates and enforcement outcomes.
• Ensure stamp application and verification equipment (e.g., applicators, scanners and mobile authentication devices) is operating within contractually agreed obligations.
• Interface with the Project Management Office, technical support and other internal departments as required to facilitate effective communications.
• Proactively monitor the performance of the deployed solution, including the digital platform and field verification tools, report to stakeholders and take corrective action if necessary.
• Communicate project progress, timelines, status, schedules, risks, issues, and resolutions to stakeholders.
• Provide effective leadership and management of the in-country team.
• Ensure compliance with corporate principles, values and policies, health and safety requirements, the quality system, and security protocols for the handling of tax stamps.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of this job.

• University degree, preferably in Business Administration, Public Finance, Supply Chain/Logistics, Engineering or a related field

• Proven experience in program or operations management, ideally within tax stamp, fiscal marking, excise, or secure document and brand protection programs
• Organization, drafting, implementation and enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), particularly for secure product handling and chain of custody
• Project management and service delivery expertise, including multi-stakeholder government contracts
• Ability to manage customer, government authority and industry partner relationships with diplomacy and professionalism
• Working knowledge of excise tax administration, revenue assurance and illicit trade risks (counterfeiting, smuggling and diversion)

• Familiarity with security printing features, serialization, track and trace, and digital authentication technologies (e.g., QR codes and mobile verification applications)
• Proficiency in the use of all Microsoft programs with a specific requirement of intermediate to advanced skills in the use of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word; experience with data analysis and reporting tools is an advantage

• Effective leadership, organizational and communication skills, with the ability to prioritize workload and work under pressure

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS [

• Fluency in both French and English (written and verbal) is mandatory. The candidate must be able to work, negotiate, train and produce formal reports in both languages.

• Experience working with government revenue authorities, customs or excise agencies, preferably in francophone West/Central Africa.
• Experience in excisable goods sectors (tobacco, alcoholic beverages or other fast-moving consumer goods), including production, logistics, compliance or auditing.
• Ability to travel 30-50% to support customer programs.