Procurement Lead
Job Summary
Position: Procurement Lead
Organization: Sydani Group
Location: Abuja, Nigeria (Hybrid)
Contract Type: Full Time
Job Description
We are seeking a detail-oriented, strategic, and highly organized Procurement Manager to lead our asset management, purchasing, and vendor management functions. In this role, you will oversee the procurement team, set the strategic direction for sourcing and supplier relationships, and ensure the organization consistently obtains high-quality, cost-efficient goods and services. You will be responsible for procurement policy, budget oversight, team performance, and high-value contract negotiations, while mentoring a team of procurement officers to execute day-to-day purchasing activities.
Job Responsibilities
1. Procurement Strategy, Policy and Governance
- Develop, implement, and regularly review the organisation’s procurement strategy, aligned with organisational goals, forecasts, and growth plans.
- Design, maintain, and enforce procurement policies and standard operating procedures covering sourcing, approvals, bidding, and vendor onboarding.
- Define approval thresholds and delegation of authority so that purchasing decisions are made at the right level, with clear accountability.
- Ensure procurement practices are transparent, competitive, and auditable.
2. Team Leadership and Capacity Building
- Lead, supervise, and develop a team of procurement officers, setting clear objectives and assigning responsibilities.
- Review team performance regularly and provide coaching, feedback, and mentoring.
- Build team capacity through training, knowledge sharing, and succession planning.
- Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and service delivery within the team.
3. Budget and Cost Management
- Establish and manage the procurement budget, and monitor spending across all purchasing categories.
- Set cost parameters and track spend against budget, flagging variances to senior management.
- Identify and deliver cost savings through consolidated purchasing, competitive sourcing, and better pricing terms.
- Work with Finance to ensure procurement spend is accurately forecast, recorded, and reconciled.
4. Vendor and Supplier Management
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with key vendors and suppliers.
- Serve as the primary escalation point for high-value or complex vendor matters, including disputes, delivery failures, and performance concerns.
- Oversee the analysis and evaluation of vendors, suppliers, and supply and price options to guide sourcing decisions across the team.
- Maintain and continuously improve the master list of suppliers, tracking qualifications, delivery reliability, pricing history, and future development potential.
- Conduct periodic vendor performance reviews and take corrective or remedial action where needed.
5. Contract Negotiation and Approval
- Lead negotiations on high-value contracts and pricing agreements, securing favourable terms, quality standards, and appropriate risk mitigation.
- Review, approve, and give final sign-off on major purchases and vendor contracts above the team’s approval threshold.
- Ensure contracts are legally and commercially sound, with clear deliverables, timelines, payment terms, and penalties.
- Monitor contract performance and manage renewals, variations, and closures.
6. Procurement Planning and Operations
- Direct the development of procurement plans for equipment, services, and supplies in line with organisational goals and forecasts.
- Oversee day-to-day purchasing and asset management activities so that goods and services are delivered on time and to specification.
- Ensure robust record-keeping systems are in place for purchases, pricing, contracts, and vendor performance data.
- Keep procurement and asset records complete, current, and audit-ready.
7. Risk Management and Compliance
- Identify risks in the supply chain and procurement process, including supplier dependency, price volatility, and delivery delays, and develop mitigation strategies.
- Ensure compliance with organisational policy, donor and client requirements (where applicable), and relevant regulatory standards.
- Support internal and external audits and act promptly on audit findings.
- Uphold ethical sourcing practices and guard against conflict of interest, fraud, and corruption.
8. Collaboration and Reporting
- Work with Finance, Operations, and other departments to align procurement activities with broader organisational objectives.
- Prepare and present periodic procurement reports, spend analyses, and vendor performance reviews to senior management.
- Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to support leadership decision-making.
9. Continuous Improvement and Innovation
- Drive initiatives to improve procurement efficiency, cost savings, and turnaround times.
- Introduce and promote process automation and e-procurement tools.
- Benchmark procurement practices against industry standards and adopt best practices.
Required Qualifications
- University degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field; a Master's degree is an advantage.
- Professional certification in procurement or supply chain management (e.g., CIPS, CIPSMN) is required or strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years' experience in procurement, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or team-lead capacity.
- Demonstrated experience managing procurement budgets, high-value contracts, and vendor relationships at a strategic level.
- Solid knowledge of procurement processes, policy, systems, and best practices, including e-procurement tools.
- Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop team members.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable procurement strategy.
- Advanced negotiation skills, with a track record of securing favourable contract terms.
- Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel); familiarity with procurement/ERP software is an advantage.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience presenting to senior management.
- High level of integrity, sound judgment, and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Job Disclaimer
1) Safeguarding Commitment
Sydani Group is committed to safeguarding the dignity, rights, and well-being of all individuals we engage with, including adults, women, children, partners, and communities. We have a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse, exploitation, harassment, and neglect. All applicants are expected to uphold our safeguarding standards and contribute to a safe and respectful environment.
2) Whistleblowing Policy
Sydani Group is committed to the highest standards of integrity and accountability. We encourage employees, partners, and applicants to report any concerns related to misconduct, including fraud, corruption, or unethical behaviour. Reports can be made through confidential channels on www.sydani.org homepage and investigated in line with our whistleblowing policy.
What we offer:
Sydani offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical insurance, competitive compensation, generous bonuses, rapid career growth, and the opportunity to work with a team of seasoned consultants and an ever-expanding network of industry experts.