Purchasing and Sales Manager

Wanted: Early-mid career professional to lead procurement and sales functions for a fast-growing, international NGO

Industry: Social Business / International Development / Start-Up / Non-profit

Employer: KOMAZA

Position: Purchasing & Sales Manager

Department: Operations

Location: Kilifi, Kenya (some flexibility to work from Mombasa)

Reports to: Director of Operations

Supervises: Procurement/Logistics Officer(s)

Comp/Benefits: Competitive, commensurate with experience

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Start Date: As soon as available

About KOMAZA

Founded in 2006, KOMAZA is a social enterprise creating sustainable economic opportunities for farmers living in Africa’s semi-arid regions.

Working through a network of field staff, we partner with rural families and help them plant and maintain small-scale, income-generating tree farms.

Using this model, KOMAZA will grow to serve thousands of farmers across East Africa and beyond in the coming years.

About the role

KOMAZA seeks a Purchasing & Sales Manager who will plan, direct, coordinate and conduct the purchasing and sales operations of the company.

The manager will be responsible for developing, improving and implementing the system (tools, processes, policies and practices) related to procurement & sales for our rural field operations as well as urban office.

The ability to deal humbly with hands-on issues and implement practical solutions as well as participate in strategic thinking will be key to success in this position.

We are on the verge of dramatic expansion in Coast Province and beyond; this is a great opportunity for someone excited to take on ambitious goals and be a critical component of KOMAZA’s growth.

Responsibilities of the Purchasing & Sales Manager

Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers, service providers and buyers to create partnerships that add value and attain the company’s revenue and cost goals
• Follow up to constructively handle all customer complaints related to your department
• Create and foster relationships with diverse purchasing and sales professional associations to ensure gainful experience and knowledge sharing
• Cultivate key contacts who will help KOMAZA stay abreast of innovative developments that may enhance the value of our operations activities

Research

• Seek, evaluate and recommend reliable suppliers to provide quality goods or services at reasonable prices with excellent customer service
• Identify international suppliers, when appropriate; determine most efficient shipping and import methods
• Lead the effort between KOMAZA and these suppliers to research and innovate new purchases that enhance the value we create for rural farmers
• Trace the supply chain for certain products back to the original manufacturers for improved costing
• Follow market trends to predict budgets and better negotiate prices with suppliers
• Perform cost-benefit analysis to recommend opportunities for cost-saving initiatives

Systems Development

• Advise management on required areas of improvement to enhance sales and purchasing processes
• Implement improved inventory and stores control systems for our expanding network of rural offices
• Coordinate with the Technology Team in developing robust, transparent processes around procurement & sales operations to ensure effective and efficient systems as KOMAZA’s demand for procurement and sales services grows
• Work with legal support to standardize suitable contract agreements that ensure appropriate terms of engagement with vendors and buyers
• Set and ensure adherence to all company policies, procedures and business ethics codes relating to purchasing and sales

Tendering and Sales Management

• Provide budget support and cash flow projections to Finance team to ensure high visibility and control of purchasing related expenses
• Solicit for proposals and manage the series of selection criteria to ensure integrity and transparency throughout the tendering process
• Negotiate prices, lead times and other legal or contractual terms with suppliers and buyers in Kenya and other parts of the world as may be required
• Prepare tendering reports with invoices for submission to and payment by the Finance Team
• Maintain accurate records of all pricings, sales, purchases, and activities for weekly reporting to senior management
• Work with colleagues to ascertain that goods are received on-time and as ordered so that payments are processed only for certified confirmations of deliveries or service
• Manage expenses to meet budget guidelines
• Follow up with suppliers and buyers concerning delivery and payment commitments

Employee Development

• Set objectives and targets for direct report(s)
• Offer and deliver the coaching, counseling, advice, support, motivation or information direct report(s) need to help them meet their objectives
• Monitor progress toward objectives to ensure employees are self-aware of performance

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in business, economics, purchasing & supplies, or related discipline
• Minimum of 3-5 years experience in purchasing and selling preferably for a large, fast-growing organization with multiple procurement requirements
• An expert level of knowledge in procurement including sourcing, pricing, contracts, relationship management and due diligence on suppliers and contractors
• Creative problem-solver; this position will require significant independence and someone who can accomplish tasks creatively with minimal oversight
• Experience with managing and developing employees to achieve high performance
• Must be able to manage competing demands, accept constructive feedback, and meet targets while being efficient, flexible, and of good judgment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required in both English and Kiswahili
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office suite applications

Applicants should email their applications and CVs to: recruiting@komaza.org and send a copy to hr@komaza.org