Procurement Manager at iColo: A Digital Realty Company

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Procurement Management

• Develop and execute procurement strategies that support operational needs, CAPEX projects and overall business priorities.
• Drive annual category planning, spend analysis and market intelligence across key procurement areas.
• Lead sourcing for all procurement categories across DC operations, projects, IT, marketing, HR, CIM and admin.
• Ensure procurement decisions are objective, competitive and compliant with local laws and global governance.
• Promote fair and transparent sourcing, strengthening procurement integrity and reducing overreliance on any single supplier.

Procurement IT System Implementation

• Map and standardize procurement workflows across Kenya and Mozambique.
• Configure controls, approval thresholds, documentation standards and audit trails within the system.
• Lead training and change management to ensure business-wide compliance.
• Continuously improve system utilization for efficiency and governance.

Materials Procurement and Sourcing

• Manage procurement of materials, parts and components for facility operations and construction projects.
• Ensure specifications, scopes of work and technical requirements are clearly defined and aligned with engineering and project standards.
• Conduct structured sourcing processes including RFQs, RFPs and competitive evaluations.
• Maintain procurement documentation that meets both internal requirements and external audit readiness.

 Purchase Order (PO) Management

• Oversee the end-to-end PO lifecycle from requisition to closure.
• Ensure all purchases align with approved budgets and follow proper coding and documentation.
• Work with Finance to ensure correct GL alignment, accruals, reconciliations and timely supplier payments.
• Maintain disciplined, process-led purchasing across the business.

Delivery and Logistics Management

• Coordinate delivery timelines, shipment tracking, logistics and goods receipt processes.
• Ensure deliveries meet expected lead times, technical specifications and quality requirements.
• Resolve issues related to damaged goods, shortages or warranty claims with minimal operational disruption.
• Maintain accurate inventory and asset records where applicable.

Supplier Management and Consolidation

• Build and maintain a compliant supplier roster with proper due diligence, KYC and statutory verification.
• Assess suppliers’ financial, technical, operational and safety capabilities.
• Manage supplier performance through structured scorecards, SLAs, KPIs and periodic business reviews.
• Consolidate suppliers strategically to optimize value, reduce risk and streamline operations.

Procurement Governance and Controls

• Strengthen procurement process controls by embedding proper oversight and independent checkpoints throughout the cycle.
• Ensure all transactions follow documented workflows with consistent adherence across teams.
• Promote accountability, procurement ethics and anti-bribery compliance.
• Support internal and external audits with complete and accurate documentation.

Contract and Commercial Management

• Support negotiation and drafting of commercial terms, contract renewals, amendments and performance obligations.
• Monitor contract validity, renewal timelines, obligations and risk exposures.
• Ensure service providers meet contractual commitments and SLAs.

Reporting and Analytics

• Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly procurement reports covering spend, compliance, supplier performance, cost savings, cycle times and risks.
• Provide insights to enable decision-making for the Management and all cross-function teams.
• Maintain procurement dashboards and audit-ready documentation.

Operational Improvements

• Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies and risks in the procurement lifecycle.
• Recommend and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead procurement training for operational teams to strengthen documentation quality and process discipline.
• Regularly benchmark procurement practices with industry peers and global DLR standards.

Regional and Global Alignment

• Serve as the central procurement lead across Kenya and Mozambique, ensuring consistency in procurement practices.
• Participate in regional and global procurement transformation and digitalization projects.

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Supplies Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance or related field; Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Certification and Licensing: Full membership of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) or Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) with a valid practising licence. Must satisfy Chapter Six of the Constitution regarding leadership and integrity.
• Experience: 7–10 years’ procurement/supply-chain experience (3–5 years at a leadership level) with exposure to P2P or e-procurement systems; experience in critical infrastructure, datacentre or technology industries is highly desirable.
• Knowledge: Deep understanding of respective country procurement laws and regulations. Familiarity with labour, environmental, customs and transport laws affecting logistics. Knowledge of datacentre/ICT procurement trends and sustainable procurement guidelines.
• Technical skills: Proficiency in procurement systems (IFMIS, Oracle, SAP), MS Office and data-analysis tools. Ability to implement modern technologies (AI/ML, blockchain) for procurement efficiency.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills: Strong negotiation, communication and stakeholder-management skills. Ability to lead diverse teams, manage conflict, uphold integrity and navigate complex regulatory environments.
• Analytical and reporting skills: Ability to analyse spend data, prepare statutory reports and generate insights for strategic decision-making. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving and risk-management capabilities.
• Personal attributes: Ethical, proactive, resilient and adaptable. Committed to value-for-money, sustainability, inclusive procurement and continuous improvement.