The Procurement Manager - Construction & Delivery will lead the strategic sourcing, evaluation, and procurement of goods, works, and services for Tatu City's construction and infrastructure projects. This senior role requires a strategic leader who can optimize procurement operations, drive cost efficiency, ensure compliance, and build robust supplier partnerships that support the delivery of world-class urban infrastructure. The role demands close collaboration with Construction & Delivery teams, project managers, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of quality materials and services that enable successful project execution while maintaining sustainability and governance standards.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Procurement Leadership
- Develop and implement comprehensive procurement strategies aligned with Tatu City's construction and infrastructure development goals
- Lead the procurement function for large-scale construction projects, including civil works, infrastructure, utilities, and building developments
- Establish procurement policies, procedures, and best practices that ensure efficiency, transparency, and value for money
- Provide strategic input on make-or-buy decisions, project phasing, and resource allocation
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize procurement processes and enhance organizational capability
Procurement Operations & Project Support
Oversee end-to-end procurement activities including tendering, evaluation, negotiation, contract award, and administrationDevelop and maintain comprehensive procurement plans aligned with project master schedules, timelines, and budgetsCoordinate procurement activities across multiple concurrent construction projects and development phasesPrepare, review, and issue complex RFQs, RFPs, EOIs, and other procurement documentation for construction materials, equipment, and servicesEnsure timely delivery of materials and services to avoid project delays and operational disruptionsManage procurement budgets and expenditure tracking to ensure cost control and financial accountabilityImplement procurement systems and tools that enhance visibility, reporting, and decision-makingSupplier & Contract Management
Build and maintain a robust network of qualified vendors, contractors, suppliers, and service providers for construction materials, equipment, and specialized servicesLead supplier prequalification, evaluation, and performance management processesNegotiate competitive pricing, favorable contract terms, and value-added arrangements with suppliersOversee contract administration including variations, extensions, claims, disputes, and closeoutsMonitor supplier performance against KPIs including quality, safety, delivery timelines, and compliance standardsEstablish long-term strategic partnerships with key suppliers to ensure continuity and preferential termsManage supplier risk including financial stability assessments, capacity evaluations, and contingency planningLead supplier development initiatives to enhance local content and support community economic developmentGovernance, Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, Kenyan procurement laws, Special Economic Zone regulations, and international best practicesPromote transparent, ethical, and auditable procurement practices across all transactionsImplement robust internal controls to prevent fraud, conflicts of interest, and non-complianceLead procurement audits and ensure readiness for external reviews and regulatory inspectionsDevelop and maintain comprehensive procurement documentation and audit trailsTrack and report procurement performance metrics including cost savings, supplier compliance, cycle times, and quality indicesManage procurement risks including supply chain disruptions, currency fluctuations, and market volatilityEnsure adherence to health, safety, environmental, and sustainability standards in procurement decisionsStakeholder Engagement & Team Leadership
Collaborate closely with Construction & Delivery teams, project managers, quantity surveyors, engineers, and site teams to understand requirements and deliver solutionsEngage with finance, legal, and compliance teams to ensure alignment on contracts, payments, and regulatory mattersBuild effective working relationships with contractors, consultants, and external partnersLead, mentor, and develop procurement team members to build organizational capabilityRepresent the procurement function in senior management meetings, project reviews, and stakeholder forumsProvide training and guidance to internal teams on procurement policies, processes, and best practicesFinancial & Cost Management
Drive cost optimization through strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, volume discounts, and supplier negotiationsConduct cost-benefit analyses, total cost of ownership assessments, and value engineering studiesIdentify and deliver measurable cost savings and efficiency gains across procurement activitiesManage working capital through optimized inventory levels, payment terms, and supplier financing arrangementsSupport budgeting and forecasting processes with accurate procurement data and market intelligenceReport on procurement spend analytics, savings achieved, and budget variancesMarket Intelligence & Innovation
Monitor construction materials markets, pricing trends, supply availability, and industry developmentsConduct market research to identify new suppliers, alternative materials, and innovative solutionsIntroduce sustainable and green procurement practices aligned with environmental commitmentsLeverage technology and digital tools to enhance procurement efficiency and transparencyBenchmark procurement performance against industry standards and competitorsSkills and Experience
Bachelor's Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Business Administration, or a related field (Required)Master's Degree or MBA with specialization in Procurement, Supply Chain, or Construction Management (Preferred)Professional certification from CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply), CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), KISM (Kenya Institute of Supplies Management), or equivalent (Required)Additional certifications in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2) or Contract Management (Preferred)Minimum 10 years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 5 years in a managerial or senior roleProven experience in construction procurement, infrastructure projects, or real estate development (Essential)Demonstrated success managing procurement for large-scale, multi-phase construction projects (minimum project values of KES 500M+)Strong background in contract management, supplier negotiations, and commercial terms structuringExperience working in Special Economic Zones, master-planned developments, or large infrastructure programs (Highly Preferred)Experience managing procurement teams and building organizational capability (Required)International procurement experience or exposure to cross-border supply chains (Advantage)Expert knowledge of procurement processes, tendering procedures, and contract administrationStrong understanding of construction materials, methods, specifications, and quality standardsProficiency in contract law, commercial terms, and legal frameworks governing procurementAdvanced negotiation skills with proven ability to secure favorable commercial outcomesExpertise in supplier evaluation, prequalification, and performance managementStrong financial acumen including cost analysis, budgeting, and savings trackingProficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, SAGE, Navision) and procurement softwareAdvanced skills in MS Office Suite, particularly Excel for data analysis and reportingKnowledge of sustainable procurement, green building materials, and ESG considerationsRequirements
Skills and Experience
Bachelor's Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Business Administration, or a related field (Essential)Master's Degree or MBA with specialization in Procurement, Supply Chain, or Construction Management (Preferred)Professional certification from CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply), CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), KISM (Kenya Institute of Supplies Management), or equivalent (Essential)Additional certifications in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2) or Contract Management (Preferred)Minimum 10 years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 5 years in a managerial or senior roleProven experience in construction procurement, infrastructure projects, or real estate development (Essential)Demonstrated success managing procurement for large-scale, multi-phase construction projects (minimum project values of KES 500M+) (Essential)Strong understanding of construction materials, methods, specifications, and quality standards (Essential)Strong background in contract management, supplier negotiations, and commercial terms structuringExperience working in Special Economic Zones, master-planned developments, or large infrastructure programs (Highly Preferred)Experience managing procurement teams and building organizational capability (Essential)International procurement experience or exposure to cross-border supply chains (Advantage)Expert knowledge of procurement processes, tendering procedures, and contract administrationProficiency in contract law, commercial terms, and legal frameworks governing procurementAdvanced negotiation skills with proven ability to secure favorable commercial outcomesExpertise in supplier evaluation, prequalification, and performance managementStrong financial acumen including cost analysis, budgeting, and savings trackingProficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, SAGE, Navision) and procurement softwareAdvanced skills in MS Office Suite, particularly Excel for data analysis and reportingKnowledge of sustainable procurement, green building materials, and ESG considerations