Procurement & Supply Chain Lead (Upstream Oil & Gas Project) – Kenya

Procurement & Supply Chain Lead (Upstream Oil & Gas Project) – Kenya

We are seeking to hire a Procurement & Supply Chain Lead who will provide strategic and operational leadership for the procurement and supply chain function supporting an upstream waste management project. Based at the Head Office in Nairobi, with regular travel to Lokichar and supplier locations as required, the role will oversee procurement planning, sourcing, supplier and vendor management, contracting, supply planning, cost management, compliance, and procurement systems to ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective delivery of goods, equipment, materials, and services required for project operations. The successful candidate will develop procurement strategies, manage supplier performance, support local supplier development, drive cost efficiencies, and ensure alignment with company policies, project requirements, and applicable Kenyan regulatory standards. The ideal candidate must possess a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field, with professional procurement or supply chain certification preferred, and a minimum of 6–10 years' progressive experience in procurement and supply chain management, preferably within oil & gas, mining, construction, industrial operations, waste management, or similar environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement procurement plans aligned with project requirements, budgets, operational priorities, and timelines.

• Consolidate procurement requirements from project and operational teams and establish sourcing priorities based on operational requirements and lead times.

• Manage end-to-end procurement processes from approved requisition through sourcing, evaluation, negotiation, purchase order, and delivery.

• Prepare and manage RFQs, tenders, and competitive bidding processes while ensuring transparent and properly documented procurement practices.

• Coordinate technical and commercial evaluations with relevant departments and negotiate pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, and other commercial conditions.

• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and onboard suitable suppliers and service providers while maintaining an approved and compliant supplier database.

• Conduct supplier due diligence, capability assessments, and performance reviews, and address supplier performance issues where required.

• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships while identifying opportunities for local supplier participation and development.

• Coordinate procurement-related contracts, purchase orders, framework agreements, and service agreements in collaboration with Legal and Finance.

• Monitor supplier compliance with agreed commercial terms, contractual obligations, service levels, and project requirements.

• Track contract expiry dates and support timely renewals, while escalating material contractual, commercial, and supplier risks to the Project Manager.

• Forecast procurement requirements with project and operational teams and monitor critical procurement items and long-lead requirements.

• Track outstanding purchase orders and expected delivery dates and coordinate closely with Logistics, Inventory, and Warehouse functions to ensure timely receipt of procured goods.

• Identify potential supply disruptions and recommend mitigation measures to maintain project continuity.

• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, procedures, approval limits, applicable Kenyan regulatory requirements, local content requirements, and ethical procurement standards.

• Maintain complete procurement records, documentation, and audit trails to support internal and external audits and regulatory requirements.

• Monitor procurement spend against approved budgets and identify cost-saving and cost-avoidance opportunities without compromising quality, operational requirements, or HSE standards.

• Monitor supplier pricing and relevant market trends and prepare regular procurement reports covering spend, savings, outstanding orders, supplier performance, and procurement risks.

• Ensure accurate recording of procurement transactions in ERP and procurement systems and maintain appropriate procurement trackers and databases.

• Develop and maintain procurement SOPs and working procedures and identify opportunities to improve procurement controls, turnaround times, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.

• Monitor procurement KPIs, including cost, lead time, supplier performance, compliance, and process efficiency.

• Work closely with Finance, HSE, Operations, Logistics, Facilities, Legal, Inventory, Warehouse, and Project Management teams to ensure effective procurement and supply chain coordination.

• Lead, mentor, and develop Procurement Officers, Logistics Coordinators, Warehouse Supervisors, and other assigned procurement and supply chain personnel while promoting accountability, integrity, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master's degree is an added advantage.

• Professional certification such as CIPS, CPSP, CPP, or an equivalent procurement or supply chain qualification is preferred.

• Additional training in contract management, oil & gas procurement, supply chain management, or related disciplines is an advantage.

• Minimum 6–10 years' progressive experience in procurement and supply chain management.

• Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end procurement processes, including sourcing, tendering, supplier evaluation, negotiation, purchasing, and delivery.

• Proven experience in supplier evaluation, contract management, commercial negotiation, procurement planning, and cost control.

• Experience in oil & gas, mining, construction, industrial operations, waste management, or similar environments is preferred.

• Experience supporting procurement for a new project or operational set-up is an advantage.

• Experience managing procurement spend, supplier performance, and procurement-related risks.

• Practical experience using ERP systems, procurement platforms, Microsoft Office, and procurement reporting tools.

• Strong understanding of procurement controls, governance, documentation requirements, and applicable Kenyan regulatory and local content requirements.

• Excellent commercial awareness, negotiation, analytical, stakeholder management, planning, and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and developing project environment while maintaining high standards of compliance, integrity, HSE, and operational performance.