NextBillion - A WDI Publication

Job Description

Introduction

VisionSpring is the trailblazing international social enterprise increasing lifelong earning, learning, safety, and well-being through eyeglasses for people vulnerable to poverty. We envision a world where everyone who needs eyeglasses will have them by 2050.

Why eyeglasses? Eyeglasses are a low-cost, high-impact, and scalable product that enables people to maintain their livelihoods, succeed in school, stay safe on the roads, and participate fully in society. Yet 1.1 billion people lack the eyeglasses they need. Most, 80%, require the most affordable and scalable solution: reading glasses, delivered by non-medical personnel.

Through VisionSpring’s social enterprise models, a $1 investment in eyeglasses yields $43 in increased income for people living on less than $4 per day. Our recent randomized controlled trial (THRIVE, 2024) found that reading glasses increased monthly income in rural Bangladesh by 33%. Eyeglasses also improve children’s learning gains, reduce road traffic injuries, and promote mental health and independence for aging adults.

Global momentum for change: In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the “Vision for Everyone” resolution, recognizing eye health and vision correction as key drivers of multiple Sustainable Development Goals. This spurred the WHO SPECS 2030 global strategy, which aims to increase effective coverage of refractive errors with eyeglasses by 40 percentage points by 2030.

An early pioneer championing eyeglasses as a livelihoods and development tool, VisionSpring is at the heart of a global movement to close the clear vision gap. With new evidence, systems-change momentum, a transformational gift from MacKenzie Scott and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and 25 years of delivery, we are scaling proven eyeglasses and vision service models that correct the vision of more than 3 million people annually.

What we do: We get corrective eyeglasses on faces, help others do the same, and work in coalition to close the vision gap within a generation through three interlocking strategies:

• Deliver – Bring vision screening and eyeglasses directly into low-income communities where people work, learn, and live.
• Catalyze – Equip NGOs, governments, and community providers with training, products, and delivery models to expand coverage.
• Influence– Use research, advocacy, and coalition-building to shift policy, mobilize resources, and embed vision correction into public health and economic agendas.

With operations in nine countries across Africa and South Asia, VisionSpring combines market-based solutions with multi-sector partnerships to ensure the lasting, large-scale adoption of eyeglasses, enabling people to see well and thrive.

VisionSpring Culture

The VisionSpring culture is centered around being clear, kind and inclusive. It is a collaborative environment built on openness, mutual respect, and shared accountability. Guided by values of equity, transparency, learning, and continuous improvement, VisionSpring attracts proactive “doers” who embrace change, take initiative, and balance business discipline with deep social purpose. Individuals grow through meaningful challenges, learn from diverse colleagues, and see their work directly improve lives every day.

Position Overview

The Director will lead VisionSpring’s integrated global supply chain as a scale enabler, delivering the dignity of choice, pooled procurement benefits, and efficiency for partners serving millions across nine key markets and more than 15 additional countries. This entails

• Eyeglasses sourcing from a diversified manufacturing base in China, India, and Vietnam, maintaining long-standing partnerships to ensure consistent quality, ethical production, and price stability.
• In-house procurement, inventory management, warehousing, and distribution capabilities in 9 countries that enable VisionSpring to reliably serve partners across diverse markets in low and low-middle countries
• Prescription glasses fulfillment in our solar-powered lens lab in India, in addition to structured partnerships with trusted third-party labs in other countries.

The Director will strengthen our international logistics, procurement, and supplier management functions to manage over 1,000 annual consignments of eyeglasses and optical accessories to partners and customers. This role is pivotal to ensuring that VisionSpring delivers high-quality products reliably, affordably, and on time to the communities we serve.

About You

• Supply Chain Strategist; You thrive in complex, multi-country operations, turning strategy into smooth, reliable supply for millions across diverse markets.
• Relationship-Driven Negotiator: You build trust with suppliers, partners, and teams while holding everyone accountable to ambitious timelines and high standards.
• Data-Savvy Problem Solver: You use analytics to anticipate demand, prevent stock-outs, and optimize inventory, logistics, and costs.
• Purpose-Driven Leader: You are energized by VisionSpring’s mission, knowing that every lens, shipment, and decision supports people to see clearly, work, learn, and thrive.

Job Requirements

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in global supply chain management, preferably in social enterprise, FMCG, or ethical manufacturing.
• Proven success managing multi-country operations, especially in Africa and South/Southeast Asia.
• Experience with ethical sourcing, supplier development, and sustainability frameworks.

Skills & Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Orientation: Strategic thinker and business partner with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Proven ability to apply innovation and creativity to supply chain and the business. Proficiency in supply chain technologies and data analytics.
• Team Leadership: Demonstrated track record of building and developing high potential teams and a strong ability to retain talent. Ability to manage diverse and cross-cultural teams.
• Collaboration and Influencing: demonstrated record of developing effective relationships across divisions, geographic boundaries, customers and suppliers to pursue organization goals and impact business results.
• Results Orientation: proactive, commercially strong understanding of operations and the ability to execute and drive for results in a complex, global and dynamic business environment. Must be able to thrive in a fast paced, mission driven environment.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field (MBA or relevant Master’s preferred).

Location & Travel

• The candidate will be based in one of VisionSpring’s key markets, with preference for Kenya and Ghana, and will work across multiple time zones spanning the Eastern United States to Vietnam
• Must be willing and able to travel and conduct site visits and training in low
• infrastructure settings in VisionSpring’s key markets
• Must hold a passport and have a travel history/background that facilitates obtaining visas for international travel, including to the United States.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead VisionSpring’s supply chain strategy and develop annual plans and budgets, optimize cost structures, and deliver measurable ROI aligned with organizational priorities.
• Partner with Finance, Sales, and Marketing to inform pricing and improve landed cost tracking, forecasting accuracy, and stock availability
• Lead transformation initiatives to enhance agility, transparency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Build and manage a high-performing, culturally diverse team across regions.
• Establish contingency plans to maintain business continuity and product availability in low-infrastructure and last-mile markets.
• Support market entry and product launches with robust supply chain design and execution.

Sourcing & Fulfillment

• Manage more than 40 supplier relationships for eyeglasses, vision screening equipment, and related products, ensuring quality, ethical, and environmental standards.
• Oversee prescription fulfillment through VisionSpring’s solar-powered lens lab in India and contracted labs in other countries.
• Direct procurement of other organizational goods and services (e.g., IT systems, training materials, professional services) aligned with cost-effectiveness and ethical sourcing standards. Negotiate contracts and service agreements with global and local partners.
• Build inclusive, resilient supply networks through partnerships with local suppliers and producers

Operations & Optimization

• Oversee procurement, production planning, inventory, logistics, warehousing, and distribution across all markets
• Strengthen demand forecasting systems to integrate sales, inventory, and market insights, minimizing stock-outs and overstocks.
• Manage 10 warehouse locations and 3PL partners to ensure reliability, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Implement systems for real-time visibility, traceability, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with customs, import/export regulations, and quality/safety standards across all markets — including through EPZs and Intra-Africa movements

Innovation & Sustainability

• Reduce plastic use and increase recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable materials across the supply chain.
• Champion digital adoption—including ERP (SAP), SCM platforms, and AI/ML forecasting—to drive efficiency and visibility.
• Stay ahead of global trends in supply chain innovation, sustainability, and compliance, embedding best practices into VisionSpring’s operations.

Job Benefits

Compensation

• Compensation range is based on experience, education, and location.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At VisionSpring, diversity, equity, and inclusion align with our core values, advancing equity. Our mission is predicated on removing a fundamental barrier to full economic and social participation—uncorrected blurry vision. The values that underpin our mission energize our commitment to a diverse and inclusive team. A diverse team also enables VisionSpring to approach problems with nuance and develop unique insights that drive a significantly positive impact in the world. We actively recruit, develop, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, supporting everyone to be authentic. VisionSpring is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes applications from people of all experiences, abilities, and perspectives.