• Create supply chain management strategies that increase efficiency and speed.
• Optimize warehouse operations
• Ensures transparency in the procurement flow, and that company resources are effectively used – in other words, works to eliminate both internal and external corruption with respect to company spending.
• Ensures that the company does business with only reputable, reliable, flexible suppliers by following the SUPPLIER VETTING & APPROVAL PROCESS.
• Ensure that each purchase follows company policy and procedure, and is executed at the best price, without sacrificing quality or service.
• Compares PURCHASE REQUEST amounts with the BUDGET, and/or Stock Level Control amounts, to ensure that spending is within approved limits.
• Ensure that the company’s interests are effectively pursued before all suppliers, acting as the cost-saving conscience of the company. Negotiates aggressively on price and all other terms, regarding individual purchases as well as blanket purchasing agreements.
• Ensures follow-through on delivery and other terms of execution, as needed, acting as the main supplier contact. Manages disputes involving invoicing, price & quantity delivered, quality, and other terms, in cooperation with the respective PURCHASE REQUESTER.
• Track and report key functional metrics to reduce expenses and improve effectiveness
• Ensures that imported goods are not delayed at customs, and that import duties and taxes are minimized.
• Ensures that transport costs – for purchased goods and materials, as well as inventory items held in the WAREHOUSE that should be brought to a SITE (eg., equipment) or SELLING LOCATION (eg, scratch cards and SIM cards) – are controlled and minimized, deciding between using company resources and outsourcing for each delivery.
Position objectives:
• All purchases follow policy and procedure.
• Each purchase amount is within budget (except as individually approved by CFO and/or Budget Manager).
• Best price, as measured by internal policy (comparing the price paid to the price on competing quotes, for example).
• Minimum (preferably zero) import duties and taxes
• No interruptions to the network due to equipment availability
• No stock-outs of SIM or scratch cards at any selling location
• Good relations with all departments, acting in a support role to help them maximize their effectiveness in their respective areas by taking on the role of designated negotiator and “buyer’s advocate.”
• All staff are well trained in the tools and skills of their respective positions, and are motivated to achieve the KPI's.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Both personally, and via staff:
• Discover profitable suppliers and initiate business and organization partnerships
• Negotiate with external vendors to secure advantageous terms
• Approve the ordering of necessary goods and services
• Finalize purchase details of orders and deliveries
• Examine and test existing contracts
• Track and report key functional metrics to reduce expenses and improve effectiveness
• Collaborate with key persons to ensure clarity of the specifications and expectations of the company
• Foresee alterations in the comparative negotiating ability of suppliers and clients
• Expect unfavorable events through analysis of data and prepare control strategies
• Perform risk management for supply contracts and agreements
• Control spend and build a culture of long-term saving on procurement costs
• Control the accuracy of the Vendor Masterfile (which is managed by the Accounts Payable Team in the Treasury area of Finance), ensuring that proper approval is documented for all additions of suppliers to the Masterfile, and also all changes (like company address, bank account, company name, etc.).
• Reporting: prepare the monthly Spending and Saving Report, which includes agreed metrics, including Spending-Budget Variances.
• planning the best way to get goods from suppliers to distribution centers and retailers
• tracking shipments and stock levels using computer software
• working with retailers to make sure they receive their goods on time and in the right condition
• looking at ways to improve supply chain networks
• monitoring overall performance to make sure targets are met
• preparing forecasts and inventories

• Very good English skills (spoken; good written English skills are a plus), as the role will routinely interact with foreigners (internal and external to the company).
• Strong understanding of best practices for the Supply Chain process (including Procurement, Logistics, and Import).
• Strong IT skills, including Excel; must have experience with an integrated purchasing system, such as an ERP
• Proven working experience as a procurement & logistics manager or officer
• Knowledge of sourcing and procurement techniques as well as a dexterity in “reading” the market
• Talent in negotiations and networking
• Good knowledge of supplier or third party management software
• Aptitude in decision-making and working with numbers
• Experience in collecting and analyzing data
• Strong leadership capabilities

Educational Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience
• BA (or BS) degree preferred
• 5+ years of experience running the Procurement & Logistics function of a large or mid-sized company
• Telecom experience a plus
• Proven team leadership abilities
• Staff development -- must be able to direct low-level staff in detailed responsibilities