Senior Procurement Officer

Location: Athi River, Kenya
Reports to: Finance Director, Fairoils Group
Entities Covered: Fairoils EPZ Limited & Kutoka Ardhini Limited

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly capable Senior Procurement Officer to lead procurement activities across our manufacturing and agricultural operations at Fairoils EPZ Limited and Kutoka Ardhini Limited.

This is a strategic and hands-on role responsible for supplier sourcing, commercial negotiations, procurement governance, and operational support across raw materials, factory spares, packaging, logistics, and farm inputs.

The role is positioned as a pipeline to Procurement Manager, with progression based on demonstrated performance, leadership, and ability to strengthen procurement as a central function.

This role will deliver efficient, cost-effective, and compliant procurement while ensuring:·

• Production continuity·
  

• Strong supplier management·
  

• Value-for-money sourcing·
  

• Robust procurement controls·
  

• Audit-ready processes
  

• Assist the Finance Director in the preparation of annual procurement plans; ensuring that the plan is followed, including quarterly meetings with the department to update the
  plan.

• Lead sourcing and supplier selection across:
  

1. Raw materials (avocado, macadamia, oils, agricultural inputs)
   

2. Factory spares and engineering components
   

3. Packaging materials
   

4. Logistics and transport services
   

5. Other procurement needs
   

• Conduct competitive bidding in line with policy thresholds
  

• Lead commercial negotiations (pricing, delivery, payment terms)
  

• Develop supplier benchmarking and cost optimization strategies.
  

Supplier Due Diligence & Risk Management

• Publish, distribute invitations to pre-qualify, pre-qualification documents, invitations to express interest, request for proposals (RFP) incorporating terms of references (TOR) or request for quotations (RFQ), Statement of works etc.
  

• Conduct supplier vetting and onboarding
  

• Verify statutory compliance and licensing
  

• Ensure appropriate insurance (e.g. goods-in-transit)
  

• Maintain and manage approvedsupplier database
  

• Identify and mitigate supplier-related risks.
  

Procurement Governance & Policy Compliance

• Enforce Procurement Policy and SOP across both entities
  

• Obtain quotes and compile comparable prices to facilitate the determination of future purchases
  

• Maintain audit-ready procurement documentation
  

Operational Procurement Execution

• Review procurement requests and ensure clarity of specifications
  

• Raise requisitions in ERP (Sage) accurately and timely
  

• Coordinate approvals and ensure timely PO issuance
  

• Monitor procurement turnaround times to support operations
  

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Maintain procurement tracker and dashboards
  

• Report weekly procurement performance to Finance Director
  

• Track KPIs including turnaround time, compliance, and cost savings
  

• Support supplier performance reviews
  

Leadership & Function Development

• Support development of procurement processes and controls
  

• Work closely with operations, engineering, and farm teams
  

• Mentor junior staff and procurement support roles
  

• Contribute to building procurement into a strong central function
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, economics, finance, operations, or a related
  area from a reputable institution

• Professional certification (CPSM or equivalent preferred)
  

• 7+ years’ experience in procurement within:
  

1. Fast-paced manufacturing environment
   

2. Agro-processing
   

3. Industrial operations
   

• Strong experience in:
  

1. Commercial negotiation
   

2. Supplier evaluation
   

3. Technical sourcing (spares, logistics, agri-inputs)
   

• ERP experience (Sage preferred).
  

Key Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen
  

• High integrity and accountability
  

• Ability to operate under operational pressure
  

• Strong stakeholder management skills
  

• Structured and analytical thinker
  

• Firm but professional in enforcing controls
  

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to shape procurement across two growing businesses
  

• Exposure to manufacturing and agricultural value chains
  

• Direct impact on cost, operations, and business performance
  

• Clear progression to leadership role