Sourcing Lead – Network Category at Airtel

About the Role: 

The purpose of the job is developing and executing sourcing strategies for telecom network infrastructure, equipment, and services. The role ensures cost optimization, supplier performance management, contract negotiation, risk mitigation, and alignment with network rollout and operational objectives.

Airtel Africa is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and remain fully committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Responsibilities

Manage the end to end Sourcing process for procurement of goods and services in the Network category in line with approved purchasing requests.

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for telecom network categories (with emphasis on passive -  fiber, power systems, site infrastructure, etc.).
• Lead end-to-end sourcing lifecycle: RFQ/RFP preparation, evaluation, negotiation, and award.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and deliver measurable savings targets.
• Conduct market intelligence and supplier benchmarking

Manage the processing of Network related contracts from project brief to contract completion in conjunction with the Legal department

• Draft, negotiate, and finalize contracts in collaboration with Legal.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor contract performance and manage variations/change orders

Manage vendor relationships in accordance with company guidelines, to support the realization of agreed procurement contracts & timelines for delivery.

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard qualified network equipment vendors and service providers.
• Lead commercial negotiations, including pricing, SLAs, payment terms, warranties, and penalties.
• Manage supplier performance reviews and corrective action plans.
• Build long-term strategic partnerships with OEMs and contractors.

Provide accurate information and guidance to managers and other staff in Support of the planning, budgeting and goal setting processes to establish procurement goals. 

• Partner with Network  Deployment and Operations teams to align sourcing with project timelines.
• Support budgeting and CAPEX/OPEX planning.
• Provide procurement advisory during technology upgrades and network expansion.

Manage price & contractual negotiations in line with favorable payment terms, statutory regulatory requirements, competitive pricing, quality assurance and delivery timelines favorable to the company.

• Complex/simple contract negotiations
• Meeting with vendors/User  to agree on SLA’s and timelines
• Ensuring prices are in line with NCC/NOTAP regulatory requirements
• Detailed price negotiations using quotes as benchmark

Generation of required Procurement reports (spend & savings report, contract management report, Single source & emergency request report)

• Provision of Spend/savings report
• Contract renewals/expiration reports
• Provision of emergency request reports/reasons for the emergencies and supporting approvals
• Provide support to Sourcing team on identification and correction of process gaps in internal control environment.

Vendor Performance evaluation to ascertain vendor competence & capability

• Periodic vendor evaluation(quarterly/biannually)
• Vendor competency assessment

Educational Qualifications  

• First degree in Engineering
• Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Relevant Experience & Functional / Technical Skills

• Minimum of 10 years relevant working experience
• Negotiation and technical understanding of telecom power and fibre system
• Analytical skills
• Driven for result