Procurement Manager at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary:  

You will manage all Country Program systems and processes for local and international procurement of goods and services to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge and experience will allow you to successfully manage the quality and efficiency of all procurement and purchasing activities and to ensure stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Manage fully compliant procurement systems and operating procedures and organize the procurement functions. Assess effectiveness and efficiency and lead improvements. Ensure compliance with CRS procurement principles, standards, and policies; donor regulations; and local statutory requirements. 
• Coordinate with various departments to proactively assist with goods/services flow analysis and determine the appropriate supply chain modality, needs and quantity, quality and delivery requirements for goods, services and cash and voucher assistance (CVA). Maintain an up-to-date procurement plan. Collaborate with budget holders to develop annual budget plans that meet procurement needs. 
• Manage and control the analyze-to-contract process with strategic sourcing solutions to ensure the best value for money. Key activities include market assessment and price monitoring, writing goods/services specifications, defining supplier evaluation criteria, organizing solicitation documents, running transparent and consistent bidding and vendor selection processes, preparation of contracts, etc.
• Ensure the highest level of transparency and integrity amongst the procurement department and prevent fraud along the procurement process. Conduct periodic risk assessment along the procurement process. 
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. Monitor and assess performance to ensure adequate capacity for successful support of high-quality programming.
• Oversee and monitor relationships and transactions with suppliers and voucher vendors, supplier performance, and contractual obligations to ensure contract completion per authorized terms and conditions. Take action to address current and/or potential contractual issues and/or inefficiencies to mitigate risk. Advise on contract/purchase order modifications, if needed. 
• Monitor payment terms and schedules through maintenance of open order report and oversee coordination with the finance team to ensure timely payments to vendors. 
• Manage a reliable procurement document trail and database management system for control, accountability, and input for proper inventory recording. Ensure all required information and records are complete, accurate, up-to-date, and properly filed. Oversee reports preparation, consolidate reporting, and analyze data for decision-making. 
• Oversee the application of Insight and data cleanliness for procurement.
• Lead CP procurement team to promptly prepare and respond to audits, while collaborating with other functional departments (Risk & Compliance, Finance, Admin etc.) 
• Other related duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Required Languages - Candidate must be able to communicate fluently in English language. 

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 25 %. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Strong planning, coordination, prioritization, and time management skills
• Strong analytical skills with ability to make independent judgment and decisions
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration or other relevant field preferred. Professional certifications a plus. 
• Good knowledge of and experience in CVA programming and operational requirements.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience with database management systems (e.g. MS Access) highly desirable. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Procurement Officers and Procurement Specialist

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: The Country Representative, Deputy Country Representatives, Abuja based Ops Leads – HR, SC Cost Accountant, Head of Offices, COPs and other program managers, regional and HQ teams including the DRD- Ops; HQ Finance and Supply Chain, Office of General Counsel. 

External: Church Partners, CRS implementing partners, operational partners, and colleague organizations; Local Government; auditors; banking and insurance Institutions; service providers and vendors. 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or other relevant degree required. An advanced degree in procurement and relevant certifications will be added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in procurement/purchasing management, logistics, administration with increasing responsibility, preferably with an international organization. 
• Good knowledge of various donor procurement regulations (e.g. USAID, The Global Fund, EU, UN) 
• Additional education may substitute for some experience. 
• Knowledge of international and national procurement regulations and local market conditions. 
• Strong knowledge of contract terms and proven ability to negotiate terms and agreements and build and maintain networks with suppliers. 
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.