JOBS: Category Specialist at Equity Bank Kenya

Currently, the Bank is seeking additional talent to serve in the role outlined below within the Procurement Department.
 
Job Responsibilities

Procurement Category Governance

• Ensure that all materials are procured within agreed parameters of cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Provide support and guidance to the business on procurement matters relating to sourcing.
• Undertake, monitor, and report progress on all purchases under the category
• Identify opportunities for supplier rationalization by aggregating demand or suppliers
• Ensure all activities of a commercial nature are in the best interests of the Bank and are adequately protected through the application of Group Procurement Policy requirements
•  Responsible for the development and maintenance of preferred suppliers in the category
• Responsible for conversation of PR into PO
• Expedite and follow up with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of orders placed
• Undertake negotiations with suppliers and service providers for goods and services under the category of transactions being handled.
• Achieve the set savings targets

Supplier Performance Management

• Support the Category Manager in scheduling and undertaking supplier performance evaluation and monitoring
• Provide support to business functions in managing the contract execution and ensuring compliance with contractual SLA and KPI’s
• Manage supplier dispute resolutions under the guidance of the Category Manager
• Manage the supplier satisfaction survey process

Contract Negotiation & Management

• Implements procurement strategies and conducts negotiations
• Negotiates agreements to support total business requirements rather than focusing on lowest-price options
• Engages and collaborates with the Legal department appropriately for contract database management.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Work with Finance to ensure timely payment processing for vendors within the category
• Effective follow-up & liaison with vendors for timely availability of material/services
• Ensuring timely feedback/ response to Queries
• Closely coordinating between End-user and Vendor

Budgeting & Reporting

• Work with the Category Manager to produce regular reports on performance by Procurement category assigned and provide comprehensive management information and in-depth analysis when requested including spend analysis, savings secured, and potential savings – for forecast and budgets
• Assist develop and executing annual departmental cost optimization targets for the annual Budget process.
• Reporting weekly the category sourcing activity

People Development

• Agree with performance development objectives with the Category Manager.
• Pursue self-development to increase personal effectiveness, acknowledging strengths and areas for development. 

Qualifications

• Academic requirement – University Degree.
• Professional qualification and membership of professional body forms an added advantage for example CIPS-Chartered Institute of purchasing and supplies, KISM-Kenya Institute of Supplies and Management
• Length of minimum Procurement – 3 years’ experience

Essential Knowledge

• Proven skills and experience in Procurement Category Management
• Extensive experience in simple sourcing
• Excellent knowledge of procurement systems or ERP and Microsoft Office is necessary