Category Manager-Technology Procurement at Equity Bank Kenya

Description

• Equity Bank is one of the region’s leading banks whose purpose is to transform the lives and livelihoods of the people of Africa socially and economically by availing them modern and inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities. With a strong footprint in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and DRC Congo, Equity Bank is now home to over 12 million customers - the largest customer base in Africa. Currently the Bank is seeking additional talent to serve in the role outlined below.

 
Qualifications
 
Job Purpose: 

• To support the Group Head of Supply Chain Management in delivery of agreed objectives in line with the Group strategy to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of department in responding to procurement needs and in implementing the procurement strategy to deliver value to internal clients by optimizing costs throughout the product life cycle and proactive supplier management. The  Category Manager Technology will work with cross functional IT teams drawn from the business to develop, implement and manage Technology Procurement, ensuring the delivery of assurance of supply, quality, service, competitive cost, and incremental savings as desired by the business.

Job Responsibilities/ Accountabilities:

Procurement Category Governance

• Identify, head, and oversee complex sourcing Technology projects consisting of software, hardware, and maintenance.
• Ensure apt stakeholders are involved in IT procurement decision process.
• Respond to specialized user groups requirements consisting of satisfaction with vendor selection and service.
• Recommend advice concerning with identification and establishment suitable parameters.
• Provide optimum terms and conditions, estimate and resolve execution barriers on time.
• Develop and maintain professional business relations with key external and internal stakeholders.
• Identify needs, reduce unwanted product and service demand.
• Ensure to accomplish IT procurement business goals and objectives.
• Ensure engagement of main stakeholders early for strategic sourcing process.
• Perform activities steadily maintaining objective and transparent approach every time.
• Coordinate and head enterprise broad standards and parameters settings.
• Develop and maintain IT supplier base with input from internal procurement business partners.
• Ensure to develop and maintain communally beneficial strategic relations with Technology vendors across the Group.
• Define and head key complicated projects to implement procurement strategies.

Supplier Performance Management

• Responsible for Group IT supplier performance evaluation and monitoring
• Provide support to business functions in managing the contract execution and ensuring compliance with contractual    SLA and KPI’s
• Manage supplier dispute resolutions
• Manage the supplier satisfaction survey process

Contract Negotiation & Management

•  Implements procurement strategies and conducts negotiations for technology requirements across the group
•  Negotiates agreements to support total business requirements rather than focusing on lowest-price options
•  Engages and collaborates with Legal department appropriately for contract database management.
•  Creates various types of contracts or agreements that can be used to accomplish the bank’s commercial & technical goals                                                                                                                                                                          

Supplier Relationship Management    

• Liaise with Finance to ensure timely payments of
• Effective follow up & liaison with vendors for timely availability of material
• Ensuring timely feedback/ response to Queries
• Closely coordinating between End user and Vendor

 Budgeting & Reporting

• Produce regular reports on performance by Procurement category assigned and provide comprehensive management information and in-depth analysis when requested including spend analysis, savings secured and potential savings –for forecast and budgets
• Develop and execute annual departmental cost optimization targets for the annual Budget process.
• Reporting weekly on on-going tender activities for the category

People Development

•  Ensuring that the Procurement team receives the motivation, training, and development, coaching and guidance to enable them to keep abreast of latest developments and achieve their maximum contribution.

Essential Knowledge

•  Proven skills and experience in Procurement Category Management
•  Extensive experience in Technology category procurement at a group level is preferred but not mandatory
•  Excellent knowledge of procurement systems or ERP and Microsoft Office is necessary                                          

Key Critical Competencies

• High integrity, firm and assertive
• Proactive and self-driven
• High personal standards and goal oriented / Results driven
• Strategic orientation
• Emphasis on personal growth and development
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• A positive, “can do” attitude
• Customer focused          
• Business strategy awareness
• Negotiation skills
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills
• Teamwork skills and the ability to lead and motivate others
• Thorough understanding of Sourcing principles, policies, concepts and systems
• Excellent understanding of the contracting process
• Ability to develop positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Business awareness and ability to challenge the status quo

Qualifications:

• Academic requirement – University Degree with MBA as an added advantage.
• Professional qualification (e.g. CIPS) is an added advantage
• IT related certification is an added advantage
• Length of minimum Procurement & Logistics experience – 5 years’ experience
• Length of minimum management experience – 3 Years