Manager Purchasing at Kenya Tea Development Agency (MS) Ltd

Position Scope
Reporting to the Group Head, Procurement and Logistics, the successful candidate will be rresponsible for managing the sourcing and tender process and coordinating of relevant committees set up to facilitate the process according to organizational policies and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Sourcing of goods, works and services through tenders, proposals and quotations;
• Maintaining of updated supplies list as per established policies and procedures;
• Liaising with other department in purchasing requirements;
• Preparing tender documents as per approved policies and procedures;
• Overseeing preparations of Agenda for the management tender committee & Tender Board meetings;
• Overseeing the coordination of bidders inquiries;
• Negotiating pricing contracts with contractors and suppliers
• Ensuring maintenance of tender and other procurement records as per policy 
• Researching on foreign and domestic suppliers, and staying current on any changes in either the supply or demand for needed products and materials;
• Assisting in finding good suppliers and evaluating them on multiple criteria;
• Storing past bids;
• Supervising subordinate personnel including delegating assignments, monitoring and evaluating performance and identifying training needs;
• Ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards and guidelines in the purchasing field;
• Participating in Developing KTDA’s purchasing strategy;
• Participating in the recruitment of staff within the department;
• Meeting contractors and suppliers as necessary;
• Identify opportunities for cost savings in purchasing;
• Monitoring frequency of purchases and recommending possible options to increase effectiveness of purchasing power;
• Sourcing and establishing professional relationship with competitive suppliers who offer quality and credit terms suitable to the company;
• Ensuring suppliers are aware of KTDA’s business objectives;
• Developing purchasing and cost-reduction strategies;
• Ensuring successful implementation of quality control standards for services offered by the department

Qualifications / Skills / Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in supply chain, procurement, logistics or related qualifications.
• Professional certification in Supply Chain Management/ Diploma in Purchasing and supplies/Logistics Management
• A member of KISM/CIPS/CSPS
• Minimum eight (8) years of work experience in supply chain management, purchasing management, or international logistics, with at least three in a similar position. 
• Proven working experience as a purchasing manager 
• Familiarity with sourcing and vendor management 
• Interest in market dynamics along with business sense 
• Must have demonstrated ability to handle departmental budgets, resources, processes, projects and relationships
• Should have thorough knowledge of the relevant industry/sector as well as knowledge of regulatory requirements affecting the relevant sector
• Must have ability to plan, organize, implement and evaluate departmental goals
• Must demonstrate ability to handle multiple and conflicting priorities, and work under strict deadlines.
• Should have strong analytical skills and be result oriented 
• Must have high standards of integrity and ethical practice