IMy Energy Life Series A Journey in Scaling- Supply Chain Resilience and Operations Excellence

Interview with Mr.Greyson Onesmo Metili

contributed by: presented by: nthisepisode,wemeetGreysonOnesmoMetili,HeadofAfrica Operations at Engie Energy Access Greyson Onesmo Metili shareshisstoryofhowhegotstartedintheenergyindustry, detailing his initial challenges and offering invaluable advice to fellow young professionals seeking their path in this dynamic industry.

Tellusaboutyourjourneyintheenergyindustry.

IstartedoutasaDistributionOfficerin2014,duringtheearlydays of the Logistics department at Mobisol. This was a great opportunity to be creative, to create processes and procedures, and to define ways of working for the business in a nascent industry. A few months down the road, I was promoted to Logistics Team Leader, and later to Country Head of Logistics in Tanzania In2017,IwaspromotedtoSeniorHeadofOperations, whichlaterbecamealateralmovetoSeniorHeadofSupplyChain forMobisolinTanzania In2020,IactedasGroupHeadofSupply Chain for 6 months during the transition period integrating Mobisol, Fenix International, and PowerCorner to form ENGIE Energy Access (Africa) After this integration, I was appointed as HeadofAfricaOperations,todate

Whatdoyoudoinyourcurrentroleatyour company?

AsHeadofAfricaOperationsforEngieEnergyAccess,therolehas focused on below-the-line supply chain and operations activities for 9 countries, spanning from the management of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), Global Quality Management, Integrated Inventory & Warehousing Management (storage & handling,inventoryworkingcapitalmanagement(reconciliations, stock keeping, and optimization)), Logistics & Freights Management(optimizations,distribution&delivery,inter-country reshuffle), and Technical Operations Management (circularity, repairs/refurbishment, waste management, tools management, tech efficiency) I also co-chair the Circularity Working Group at GOGLA.

Couldyoudescribeyourtypicaldayatwork?

My day starts with checking emails and communications, to be able to react to critical business needs that may stall or delay a processinoneofthemarkets.Witha5-10minutecoffeebreakin between, I am able to strategize/prepare ahead for the day's meetings.MostmeetingsareviaTeams;hence,itisimportantto ensurethemessageyouaredeliveringisclear.

On Mondays, I have individual catch-ups with each of my team memberstoreviewthepreviousweek'sprogressandplanactions for the current week. This takes about 4-5 hours of interaction withtheteam.

For the rest of the week, I have an average of 4 calls per day relating to critical projects under implementation For example, wearenowintroducinganAIpredictiveanalytics-poweredS&OP softwareinclosecoordinationwithfiveotherdepartmentswithin thecompany

Another interesting project we are working on is the set-up of a regional warehousing network, which comes with a lot of learningsandinteractionswithexternalpartners

The rest of the day is blocked out for other work deliverables, including planning, oversight on different country requirements and improvement areas, driving strategic projects, creating policies,procedures,andguidelineswhereweseegaps.

Whataresomeofthechallengesyouhavefaced intheindustry?

The industry is very fast-paced, incorporating varied dimensions of businesses under one umbrella. This can be complex and challenging to navigate; imagine a vertically integrated business doing supply chain management, sourcing and procurement (including suppliers' management), credit and loans management,after-salesandcustomerexperiencemanagement, software and hardware development (technology), sales and distribution with their own footprint/network of shops, thirdpartydistributors,andsalesagentsacrossninemarkets

Building up supply chain resilience to achieve operational excellencehasalsobeenchallenging DuringtheCOVID-19period in2020,whileactingasGroupHeadofSupplyChainforMobisol, the impossibility of navigating some of the supply chain constraints was very testing These constraints included the scarcity of raw materials, closed factories (no production for weekstomonths),theblockageoftheSuezCanal,ashortageof containers,andinadequateshippingspaces Butwepersevered

The decentralized renewable energies scope has also been a nascent concept in Africa compared to other sectors that have existedforyears Introducingourproductstothemarkets,aswell as explaining the functionality to customs authorities (especially during importation), meant coming up with creative ideas to overcome some operational challenges We also had to build processes, guidelines, and policies to sustain operational complexities, aside from several unforeseen externalities that alsoimpactedtheindustryoverthepast10years.

SettingthescenefortheCircularityWorkingGroupTechnical PanelattheGOGLAForum2020,Nairobi-Kenya

ChairingaroutablediscussionattheGOGLAForum2022, Kigali-Rwanda.

Whatisthemostfunthingyouloveaboutyour work?

The dynamic environment within which ENGIE Energy Access (EEA) operates is educating Being able to interact with people from varying backgrounds and experiences fosters this learning My team itself is very diverse, creating a unique sense of fulfillment on the job just from solving operational issues spanning across 9-12 geographies and cultures All of this is integratedtoachievea#OneTeamvision

Creativityandopportunitiestotryarealsowidelyacceptedwithin ourorganization.Innovationisverywelcome,andthismakesmy jobfunbecauseourteamgetstoimplementthingsfastandwith agility.

Howdoyoubalanceworkandlife?

I take a few minutes every day to meditate and pray in the morning;ithelpswithcenteringmythoughts Itrytoprioritizeas much as possible, focusing on the critical tasks and low-hanging fruits that don't require much effort, but are critical to the performanceofthebusiness Whenthedaysarenottoopacked,I takesometimeoffintheeveningsforpowerwalksandworkouts

Whatarethecorehardskillssomeoneinyour fieldshouldhave?

Inventory Management, Planning and Strategy, Negotiations, Structured Supply Chain Management, Project Management (Agile), Adaptive Leadership, Logistics Management, Data Analytics,ERP,AccountingforInventory,MarketDynamics,Trade

Whatsoftskillsshouldsomeoneinyourfield have?

Communication, Structured, Problem Solving, Adaptability & Flexibility, Time Management, Interpersonal Communication, Networking, Customer Experience, Analytical skills, Ethics & Compliancemindset,Health&Safety

Whatisthebestthingaboutyourwork?

It'sveryrarethatyougettopractice(inseverallevels)whatyou studied. I am glad for the opportunity to drive operations resiliencewithintheENGIEEnergyAccessnetwork.

Whatwouldyouconsiderahighlightofyour career?

Iwasawardedin2023withtheCOOoftheYearawardfromSolar Assets Africa and a place on the Top 100 Executives List in the categoryofCOOofTheYear,consecutivelyforthelast3years.I'm thankfulfortheserecognitions.

However,themainhighlightsofmycareerhavealwaysbeen,and continue to be, the ability to impact people's lives. I do this through my job every day, by delivering life-changing energy solutionstocustomersinthemostremoteandinaccessibleareas ofAfrica–withnocredithistory,andlittle-to-noaccesstoenergy facilitiesinthelastmile Thethoughtthattheirchildrencannow study, their homes are secure with lighting, and they're using a cleanenergysource,drivesme

I have also mentored and groomed several people in my career The satisfaction received by seeing others progressing and prospering in their careers, in areas where you have supported them(evenbehindthecurtains),isimmense

Receivingthe2022Top-100ExecutivesListAward-Tanzania forCOOoftheYearcategory.

Whatareyoupassionateaboutoutsideofwork?

I relate closely with creating (passionate about projects like farming, building/construction, transport & logistics). I love old carsandhistoricalmuseums(Itrytovisitoneavailablewhenever I travel to a country) I also love spending time with my family a lot

Howdoyouthinkthatyourworkmakesa differenceintheenergyspace?

About 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to energy/electricity My work is at the center of service deliverytothesepeople,byhelpingtonavigatethecomplexities of getting the much-needed products to the last mile: in good quality, right amounts, and affordable Everything in between demand and the last-mile delivery is the actual ingenuity of supply chains and operations, which form the backbone of the activitiesneededtoclosetheenergygap

Whatadvicedoyouhaveforsomeonenewtothe industry?

Spend time understanding the dynamics and "living" the complexities of the vertically integrated businesses operating in the industry Remain agile/fast in decision-making and look for opportunitiestosimplify

For many people working in the DREs sector, it is an exciting journey, very impact-driven and rewarding In order to achieve justenergyequity,eachmember&functionintheindustrymust workinconstantunisontoachieveintendedresults

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See you in the next article!

-Mr GreysonOnesmoMetili