Posting details
- Posted: 23 October 2024
Job details
Description
Job Title: Procurement and Operations Manager. (Readvertised)
Program: Kenya Feed the Future Local Food Systems
Reports to: Senior Finance & Administration Manager
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Grade: 9
TechnoServe Background:
TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. We are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.
Program Overview:
The Kenya Feed the Future Local Food Systems is a five-year USAID project designed to increase agricultural production and productivity, increase resilience capacities, and improve nutrition outcomes in 9 counties in Kenya – Bungoma, Busia, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kakamega, Makueni, Migori, and Siaya. The program will also support investments in other regions of Kenya to support the flow of food, goods, and services to the 9 focal counties and strategic corridors in the Northern ASALs.
Food systems are critical to Kenya’s economic development, as the agri-food sector contributes to more than half of the nation’s gross domestic product and employs over 70% of the rural population. Kenya’s agri-food sector has the potential to support inclusive and resilient economic growth and deliver nutritious diets to vulnerable populations. LFS will capitalize on Kenya’s economic growth and growing cities, the emergence of innovative and dynamic agri-food businesses, and the GOK’s investments in economic development to accelerate inclusive growth in the agri-food sector.
LFS supports four priority objectives, as well as a number of crosscutting objectives, to catalyze transformational changes in the food system. These include:
- Increased productivity, profitability, and diversity in the local food system
- Strengthened resilience capacity for HHs, communities, and institutions to mitigate risks and shocks in the local food system,
- Increased access to and consumption of adequate safe, nutritious food, especially by women and children
- Strengthened collaboration, iterative learning, and adaptive management for effective locally led development
LFS will use key leverage points to anchor its approach to implementation of five work streams:
- First and last mile service provision
- Entrepreneurship development
- Food and Feed Markets / Processing
- Policy Alignment and Influence
- Collaboration, learning, and adapting
The Role:
The Procurement and Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the procurement process and ensuring efficient operations within the organization. This role involves managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring that the supply chain meets organizational needs. Additionally, the manager will streamline operational processes, optimize resource allocation, and ensure that the organization’s operations align with its strategic objectives. The position requires a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills, effective communication abilities, and a keen understanding of both procurement and operational best practices and in accordance with TNS policy and professional best practices and ethical standards.
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
- Develop and manage procurement plans for the LFS project, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and corporate policies.
- Update procurement plans regularly in collaboration with program management teams.
- Oversee all LFS procurement and contractual aspects of goods, services, and works in consultation with the Procurement Advisor.
- Provide guidance and support on procurement issues throughout the entire procurement cycle.
- Oversee the preparation and management of bidding documents, RFPs, and the evaluation process in coordination with project teams.
- Participate in negotiations and prepare procurement orders, ensuring timely approvals.
- Oversee timely processing and payment of suppliers.
- Conduct market research to track developments and analyze global commodity trends and availability.
- Ensure traceability of orders and address any delays, discrepancies, or vendor queries.
- Serve as the focal point for all LFS contracting processes and participate in procurement monitoring and audits.
- Prepare procurement reports and conduct capacity-building training for LFS staff.
- Collaborate with Finance to manage the annual vehicle assessment for insurance renewal.
- Manage the procurement processes of grants from bidding processes up to the selection and award.
- Supervise inventory control and tracking of project vehicles and equipment including property logs, serial numbers and tags.
- Manage administrative function of the project including, property/facility management, safety of the work environment, and provision of furnishings and equipment necessary for effective operations.
- Act as the Security and Safety focal point for the project, ensuring project staff are always updated on security concerns for proper planning of program travel and activities.
- Management of all leases, contracts and other financial commitments.
- Any other duties as assigned by the Senior Finance and Administration Manager
Desired Qualifications and Experience
- Master’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
- Proven experience in procurement and operations management, with a strong track record of successful contract negotiations and process improvements.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
- Proficiency in procurement software and ERP systems.
- Professional certification is a plus.
- Membership of a professional body such as KISM, CIPS or equivalent
- Minimum 3 years of experience in procurement role
- Demonstrated working knowledge of USAID, DfID and or EU procurement and contract procedures
- Demonstrated understanding of public procurement legislation, regulations and procedures
- High level of organization and efficiency
- Clear and concise communication skills
- Strong analytical and financial analysis skills
- Well-developed computer skills in analysis, report writing and presentation
- Fluent in reading, speaking and writing in English.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Previous applicants are advised not to reapply.
We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.
With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.
We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.
If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at [email protected] or call +1 202 785 4515
